A couple that teaches flight lessons out of Sanford plans to open a facility in Halifax County that will build small airplanes designed in the Czech Republic.

Their company, LSA America, will receive state and local incentives worth up to $272,000 if it meets it goals of hiring 34 people and investing $400,000 in the production facility, Gov. Bev Perdue's office announced.

LSA is a four-year-old company started by Doug and Betty Hempstead, who also run B Bar D Aviation, the Sanford flight school. LSA has been the U.S. distributor for the Allegro light sport aircraft and recently bought the Czech company behind the brand.

Worldwide production will be out of Littleton, said Doug Hempstead. The company had considered opening its manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, but decided on Halifax County.