Dean Baldwin Painting Expands with New Facility at Texarkana Airport

This article is based on an official press release from Dean Baldwin Painting.

During the MRO Americas 2026 conference in Orlando, Florida, Dean Baldwin Painting announced a major operational expansion to Texarkana, Arkansas. The company officially unveiled plans to construct a newly engineered, greenfield facility at the Texarkana Regional Airport, marking a significant milestone in its 60-year history.

According to the company’s official press release, the new site is specifically designed for advanced Commercial-Aircraft painting services and will create between 150 and 160 new jobs. The announcement was made as industry professionals gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MRO Americas event, where Dean Baldwin Painting exhibited its upcoming capabilities.

This development represents a substantial economic win for the Texarkana region and highlights a strategic effort by the minority- and woman-owned business to capture a larger share of the widebody and Military-Aircraft maintenance market.

Facility Specifications and Capabilities

The Texarkana expansion is designed to significantly increase the company’s throughput and versatility. Based on the official announcement, the facility will feature a total of four dedicated paint bays. Most notably, this includes one massive widebody bay capable of accommodating aircraft as large as a Boeing 747-8.

In addition to the widebody capacity, the site will house three bays tailored for narrowbody commercial planes and military aircraft, specifically noting the C-130. The company emphasized that the new infrastructure is about more than just size.

“This expansion goes beyond adding capacity; it allows us to deliver greater flexibility and smarter, more efficient solutions for our customers,” the company stated in its release.

Strategic Local Partnerships

Research into the expansion reveals that the project was secured through a coalition of local economic and educational entities. According to regional reports, partners include AR-TX REDI (Regional Economic Development Inc.), the City of Texarkana, Arkansas, and the City of Texarkana, Texas. Furthermore, the involvement of Texarkana College Aviation points to a concerted effort to develop a specialized local workforce capable of filling the 150 to 160 technical roles required to operate the facility.

Company Background and Industry Context

Founded in 1965, Dean Baldwin Painting has operated under the same private ownership for over six decades. Led by President and CEO Barbara Baldwin-McNulty, the company holds certifications from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

Prior to the Texarkana announcement, the company had already established a robust national footprint. Corporate records indicate existing operations in Roswell, New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; Goodyear, Arizona; Peru, Indiana; and a recently opened greenfield facility in Macon, Georgia. The company services a diverse clientele, ranging from commercial Airlines and regional carriers to VIP corporate clients and branches of the U.S. military.

The timing of the announcement at MRO Americas 2026, held from April 21 to 23, capitalized on the presence of over 17,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors, according to event data from the Aviation Week Network.

AirPro News analysis

We view the inclusion of a bay large enough for a Boeing 747-8 as a critical strategic pivot for Dean Baldwin Painting. Facilities capable of housing aircraft of this scale are relatively rare in the independent MRO sector and require massive upfront capital investment. By building this capacity, the company is positioning itself to secure highly lucrative, large-scale commercial cargo and widebody passenger contracts that competitors simply do not have the physical footprint to accept.

Additionally, the decision to build a “newly engineered” greenfield facility from the ground up is significant. In the highly regulated chemical stripping and aircraft painting industry, retrofitting older hangars can be cost-prohibitive and inefficient. A purpose-built site allows for the seamless integration of modern environmental controls, such as advanced air filtration and dedicated water treatment processing plants, ensuring long-term regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the new Dean Baldwin Painting facility be located?

The new facility will be located at the Texarkana Regional Airport in Texarkana, Arkansas.

How many jobs will the Texarkana expansion create?

According to the company’s official announcement, the facility will employ a dedicated team of 150 to 160 personnel.

What types of aircraft will the new facility be able to service?

The site will feature four paint bays: one widebody bay capable of accommodating up to a Boeing 747-8, and three additional bays designed for narrowbody commercial aircraft and military planes like the C-130.

Sources

• Dean Baldwin Painting Official Announcement