By Judaea Ingram
Special To The Carolinian
GREENSBORO, N.C. – More than a century after North Carolina earned the title "First in Flight," state leaders say the next chapter of aviation history may be taking shape in Greensboro.
Gov. Josh Stein joined lawmakers, local officials, and business leaders Monday at Piedmont Triad International Airport to celebrate the groundbreaking of JetZero's first commercial airplane manufacturing facility, a project expected to create more than 14,500 jobs and bring billions of dollars in investment to the Triad region.
State officials have described the development as the largest economic development project in North Carolina history based on job commitment.
For much of the ceremony, speakers repeatedly referenced North Carolina's aviation heritage while emphasizing a new vision for the state's future.
"Today a great new chapter in North Carolina's storied history of flight is taking off," Stein said in a statement. "JetZero's decision to build here is a vote of confidence in North Carolina's workforce, our universities and community colleges, and our long aerospace tradition."
Stein continued the theme by declaring that North Carolina is "not only First in Flight; we are also the future of flight."
The California-based aerospace company plans to construct an 8-million-square-foot manufacturing facility on more than 600 acres at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The development will also include The Hub, a 108,000-square-foot headquarters and research center that will serve as a focal point for innovation and operations.
The facility will manufacture JetZero's Z4 blended-wing aircraft, a first-of-its-kind commercial airplane design that combines the wings and fuselage into a single structure. The company says the design will improve fuel efficiency while reducing emissions, offering a new approach to commercial aviation.
Supporters believe the project could place North Carolina at the forefront of next-generation aircraft manufacturing.
Leaders at the groundbreaking repeatedly emphasized that North Carolina's willingness to invest in infrastructure helped secure the project. State officials highlighted years of preparation at Piedmont Triad International Airport and efforts to ensure the land was ready for large-scale industrial development.
They argued that those investments helped demonstrate that North Carolina is a state willing to partner with businesses looking to make long-term commitments.
The economic impact is expected to be substantial.
Over the next decade, JetZero is projected to create more than 14,500 jobs in Guilford County. According to state officials, the average annual salary at the company will be $89,341, and no position will pay less than $18.75 per hour.
The project is also expected to create thousands of indirect jobs through suppliers, contractors, transportation providers, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that support large manufacturing operations.
To secure the project, state and local governments approved significant incentive packages tied to performance benchmarks. North Carolina's incentive package could total $1.17 billion over 10 years, while Guilford County approved incentives worth nearly $76 million over a 20-year period. The Greensboro City Council also approved additional incentives based on job creation goals. All incentives are contingent upon the company meeting employment and economic development targets.
Local leaders expressed optimism that the investment could transform not only Greensboro, known as the Gate City, but the entire Piedmont Triad region.
Many hope the facility will serve as the foundation for a larger aerospace ecosystem that attracts suppliers, technology companies, research organizations, and additional aviation-related businesses. Some officials have gone even further, expressing hopes that the Triad could become a global epicenter of aviation innovation.
The project's timeline has faced some adjustments. Originally targeting portions of the project for completion in 2027, company and state officials now expect some milestones to shift into 2028 due in part to delays related to state budget funding.
Despite those challenges, enthusiasm surrounding the project remains high.
The groundbreaking marks another step in the transformation of Piedmont Triad International Airport into a major aviation manufacturing center. Already home to several aerospace companies, the airport has steadily expanded its role within the industry over the past decade.
For North Carolina, the project represents more than a new factory. It is an opportunity to build upon the state's aviation legacy while creating thousands of jobs for future generations.
More than 120 years after the Wright brothers made history at Kitty Hawk, leaders gathered in Greensboro with a similar sense of possibility.
The state's nickname may always be First in Flight, but if JetZero's vision becomes reality, North Carolina could soon be known for something more: helping shape the future of flight.
