GE Aerospace has announced a nearly $53 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility in West Jefferson, North Carolina. The project involves a 35,000-square-foot addition to the site and the purchase of new equipment aimed at boosting production capacity for narrowbody aircraft engines. The expansion is expected to be completed over the next three years and will result in the creation of more than 40 new jobs.
The West Jefferson facility specializes in manufacturing critical components for the CFM LEAP engine, a primary power plant for commercial narrowbody aircraft. Specific parts produced at the site include rotating parts, blisks, high-pressure turbines, and spools. This latest investment comes on top of a separate announcement made earlier this year, where the company committed over $100 million to its various North Carolina sites. GE Aerospace currently employs approximately 2,000 workers across four locations in the state.
To support the expansion, the project has secured financial backing from state and local sources. The One North Carolina Fund has awarded a $100,000 grant, while Ashe County, Ashe County Job Development Inc., and the Town of West Jefferson will contribute a combined $1 million in grants. The new roles at the facility will include engineers, inspectors, and apprentice machinists. To fill these positions, the company plans to leverage a decade-long partnership with Wilkes Community College and the NC Edge program to train local workers.
While the expansion adds to the local economy, it serves a much larger strategic purpose for the company. Ramping up production of the LEAP engine is critical to GE Aerospace’s revenue growth, as demand for narrowbody aircraft continues to rise. By expanding its ability to produce the specific high-pressure turbines and rotating parts made at West Jefferson, the company is addressing supply chain constraints to ensure it can deliver these engines to airframe manufacturers on schedule.
