Prison Sold To Military Tactical Training Company

LABELLE, FL. -- The state of Florida is selling the former Hendry Correctional Institution, a prison in south Hendry county. to Blue Spoon LLC a company owed by Brian W. Jones and Michelle A. Jones.

The Jones' operate a two-year old company called Altair Training Solutions, Inc and the $30 million purchase of 1,100 acres and an airfield will expand the firms tactical training operations.

Brian Jones, a 21-year Army veteran Sergeant Major with Ranger and Delta Force experience in describing Altair says  "I realized the need for a world class facility that offers land, sea and air capabilities."

He left the Army in 2002.

Jones filed papers with the state indicating employing 200 people at the facility.

Jones says of his Altair training facility, "ALTAIR was created to provide training solutions for government (military) specialized teams. The extensive training area consists of the 25-acre ALTAIR Deep Lake Training Complex, which used to be the Old Copeland Prison, deep in the Florida Everglades. It includes multiple shooting ranges, helicopter landing capabilities, obstacle courses, and various other specialized training solutions; The 22,000 acre ALTAIR airfield, the 10,000 Islands used for marine operations..."

Photo: Brian W. Jones, Linkedin.com