The Nova Scotia government and Pratt & Whitney Canada are making a new investment of $24 million in the aircraft engine maker's Halifax plant.

The investment announced Wednesday, split between the province and the unit of U.S.-based United Technologies (NYSE: UTX), follows a $21-million investment by P&WC over the past two years in the plant, and will "transform it into a world-class high-technology assembly and test aerospace centre," Pratt & Whitney Canada stated.

The company will build a new assembly line and test centre which by the fall of 2009 will be capable of assembling and testing small to medium-sized turbofan engines.

The new line will require advanced training for about 60 employees and will create up to 25 new positions at the 360-employee plant, P&WC said.

The $12-million government contribution will come from the Nova Scotia Industrial Expansion Fund.

"This will be the first jet engine assembly and testing facility to be built in Atlantic Canada, an important milestone for the Nova Scotia's growing aerospace and defence sector," stated Premier Rodney MacDonald.

"We are investing in a world-class facility that will help maintain and grow Pratt & Whitney Canada's presence in Nova Scotia.

The company's investment "reaffirms our commitment to Nova Scotia for years to come," stated P&WC vice-president Benoit Brossoit.

"It will also bring important new technologies and skill sets to the province and create exciting opportunities for the local aerospace sector."

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