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Business Journals
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
JetZero eyes NC for 10,000-job aircraft factory
A next-gen aircraft company is considering North Carolina for a facility that could reshape the state's manufacturing landscape. Story Highlights JetZero considers Greensboro for manufacturing operation, potentially creating 10,000 jobs. JetZero develops low-emission aircraft, partnering with major aviation companies. North Carolina's incentives crucial for securing JetZero's potential expansion. A next-generation jet manufacturer backed by Alaska Airlines is eyeing North Carolina for an expansion that could mean thousands of jobs. JetZero, based in Long Beach, California, is considering Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport for a major manufacturing operation that could bring more than 10,000 jobs to the region, sources close to the situation told CBJ sister publications the Triangle Business Journal and Triad Business Journal. The company itself has not confirmed whether North Carolina is on its list of potential sites. "JetZero is considering many locations for its future factory," a company spokesperson said today. 'The future factory will create 10,000+ jobs at full rate production." The company, which has the backing of a $235 million contract with the U.S. Air Force, has partnered with major aviation players, including Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL). It aims to compete against the likes of Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) and Airbus in the commercial airline manufacturing space. JetZero is working on a futuristic and low-emission aircraft, partnering with BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace for components as it builds out its prototype. A source said JetZero is likely asking for top-dollar incentives from the state, the kind of amount that typically requires a line item in the state budget. Current drafts of the state budget released by lawmakers don't show such a project. expand An aerial of PTI Airport in Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport Without significant state incentives, including funding for infrastructure work at the site, North Carolina would likely lose any chance at winning the project. The potential project came to light publicly last month when state Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Greensboro Democrat, said at a business event in Greensboro that a manufacturer 'may bring 10,000 jobs" to the region, the Triad Business Journal reported. Robinson declined to comment today. Also declining to comment were PTI Executive Director Kevin Baker and Brent Christensen, president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, which leads county-level economic development efforts in Guilford County. Officials with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina did not immediately respond to a request for comment today. On paper, PTI's campus could easily fit the bill for such a project, as it's already the largest conglomeration of manufacturing and logistics activity in that region. It has more than 1,000 acres up for grabs. And it's building a workforce ready to innovate in aerospace, as Boom Supersonic plans to employ 2,400 people at its PTI factory. Haeco, with about 1,200 employees, and Honda Aircraft, with 1,000, are presently the largest employers operating at PTI's 4,000-acre campus. The airport authority that governs PTI has focused on developing the campus and surrounding grounds to be ready for more companies looking for a base for plane manufacturing, service and airborne logistics. Former Gov. Roy Cooper and state legislative leader Sen. Phil Berger, a Republican from Rockingham County, referred to it as the state's de facto aerospace megasite during Boom's building grand opening last June. expand A rendering of a blended-wing airplane by JetZero JetZero The proximity to key suppliers could also work to JetZero's benefit. BAE Systems has operations in multiple locations in North Carolina, including Charlotte, Spring Lake and Durham. Pratt & Whitney has a production facility in Asheville, and Collins Aerospace is headquartered in Charlotte. JetZero is led by Tom O'Leary, a Tesla veteran and former Beta Technologies COO. He cofounded JetZero with Beta alum Mark Page in 2020 to focus on developing a blended-wing jetliner. Beta has been growing in North Carolina. The air taxi company has been building up an office near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. JetZero wants to have its planes in service by 2030. The company secured a $26 million Series A round of financing last year, led by Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK). In March, JetZero and Delta announced a partnership where Delta would provide JetZero with guidance in maintenance and operations through its sustainability innovation unit, the Sustainable Skies Lab. The agreement also calls for Delta to lead the development of the interior of JetZero's planes. The planes JetZero hopes to build are expected to use half the fuel of contemporary aircraft and hold about 250 people with rows of 15 or 20 seats.
Business Journals
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
JetZero eyes Greensboro NC airport for 10,000-job aircraft factory
THE REMAINDER OF THIS ARTICLE IS FOR PREMIUM MEMBERS A next-gen aircraft company is considering Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro for a facility that could reshape the state's manufacturing landscape. Story Highlights JetZero considers Greensboro for manufacturing operation, potentially creating 10,000 jobs. JetZero develops low-emission aircraft, partnering with major aviation companies. North Carolina's incentives crucial for securing JetZero's potential expansion. A next-generation jet manufacturer backed by Alaska Airlines is eyeing North Carolina for an expansion that could mean thousands of jobs. JetZero, based in Long Beach, California, is considering Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport for a major manufacturing operation that could bring more than 10,000 jobs to the region, sources close to the situation told Triangle Business Journal and its sister publication Triad Business Journal. The company itself has not confirmed whether North Carolina is on its list of potential sites. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events "JetZero is considering many locations for its future factory," a company spokesperson said Tuesday. 'The future factory will create 10,000+ jobs at full rate production." The company, which has the backing of a $235 million contract with the U.S. Air Force, has partnered with major aviation players, including Delta Airlines (NYSE: DAL), and aims to compete against the likes of Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Airbus in the commercial airline manufacturing space. JetZero is working on a futuristic, low-emission aircraft, partnering with BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace for components as it builds out its prototype. A source close to the situation said JetZero is likely asking for top-dollar incentives from the state, the kind of sum that typically requires a line item in the state budget. Current drafts of the state budget released by lawmakers don't show such a project. expand Another aerial of PTI Airport in Greensboro. Piedmont Triad International Airport Without significant state incentives, including funding for infrastructure work at the site, North Carolina would likely lose any chance at winning the project. The potential project came to light publicly last month when state Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Greensboro Democrat, said at a business event in Greensboro that a manufacturer 'may bring 10,000 jobs" to the region, the Triad Business Journal reported. Robinson on Tuesday declined to comment. Also declining to comment were PTI Executive Director Kevin Baker and Brent Christensen, president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, which leads county-level economic development efforts in Guilford County. Officials with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina did not immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday. PTI's campus could easily fit the bill for such a project as it has more than 1,000 acres up for grabs. And it's building a workforce ready to innovate in aerospace, as Boom Supersonic plans to employ 2,400 people at its PTI factory. Haeco, with about 1,200 employees, and Honda Aircraft, with 1,000, are presently the largest employers operating at PTI's 4,000-acre campus. More than 9,000 people work for companies located at PTI, so this would double that total. The airport authority that governs PTI has focused on developing the campus and surrounding grounds to be ready for more companies looking for a base for plane manufacturing, service and airborne logistics. Former Gov. Roy Cooper and state legislative leader Sen. Phil Berger, Republican of Rockingham County, referred to it as the state's de facto aerospace megasite at Boom's building grand opening last June. expand A rendering of a blended-wing airplane by JetZero. JetZero The proximity to key suppliers could also work to JetZero's benefit. BAE Systems has operations in multiple locations in North Carolina, including Charlotte, Spring Lake and Durham. Pratt & Whitney has a production facility in Asheville, and Collins Aerospace is headquartered in Charlotte. JetZero is led by Tom O'Leary, a Tesla veteran and former Beta Technologies COO. He cofounded JetZero with Beta alum Mark Page in 2020 to focus on developing a blended-wing jetliner. Beta has been growing in North Carolina. The air taxi company has been building up an office near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. JetZero wants to have its planes in service by 2030. The company secured a $26 million Series A round of financing last year, led by Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK). In March, JetZero and Delta announced a partnership where Delta would provide JetZero with guidance in maintenance and operations through its sustainability innovation unit, the Sustainable Skies Lab. The agreement also calls for Delta to lead the development of the interior of JetZero's planes. The planes JetZero hopes to build are expected to use half the fuel of contemporary aircraft and hold about 250 people with rows of 15 or 20 seats.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans move forward bill to remove DEI practices from higher education in NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Senate Republicans got one step closer on Wednesday to removing what they call 'divisive concepts' and 'discriminatory practices' from public colleges and universities, like the UNC system. 'These divisive concepts and these discriminatory practices have divided our campuses, divided our student bodies, divided our faculty, along lines that are unnecessary and unproductive,' Senator Brad Overcash, a sponsor of the bill, said. Senate Bill 558 is titled 'Eliminating 'DEI' in Public Higher Education,' but a definition of DEI is nowhere in the bill. That's something state Democrats take issue with. Republicans amended the bill on Wednesday to also bar institutions from creating a reporting system for offensive or harmful speech. Democrats say the bill would unfairly impact scholarships and college acceptances while also silencing important conversations around race, gender, and history. 'I think we begin to weaken the system because it's been doing a good job, and this is almost an insult to the system,' Senator Gladys Robinson said. Other opposers of the bill say sponsors never asked students for their input on a bill that would impact them the most. 'If you're going to give them guns at 18, and concealed weapons at 18, you should be talking to them about these types of bills,' Mark Swallow with Democracy Out Loud said. 'It is critical to prepare educators and students rights to talk about race and gender in schools, limiting when and how these conversations can occur runs counter to principles of free speech,' Reighlah Collins with the ACLU said. While the bill doesn't define DEI, it does ban any and all DEI offices or jobs. The bill has moved to the next committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is a mega-employer looking to bring 10,000 jobs to the Triad? State lawmaker drops a hint.
A state lawmaker suggested Tuesday that the Triad may be on the verge of landing an economic development project that would dwarf even the 5,000-worker Toyota plant about to open south of Greensboro. State Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Greensboro Democrat in her eighth term serving the 28th District, raised the possibility at the Policy & Prosperity Breakfast presented by the Greensboro Business League and the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation Tuesday morning. In a fireside chat about the Triad's trajectory moderated by TBJ Editor Lloyd Whittington, Robinson suggested another even larger one is in the works. 'With the help of elected officials here and Gov. Cooper and PTI, we were able to attract those businesses. It started way back with HAECO and HondaJet and then Toyota and Boom and so on. And I understand there's another one coming, Mayor [Nancy Vaughan], that … may bring 10,000 jobs.'Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
