GE Aerospace Invests 53 Million to Expand Engine Production in North Carolina

GE Aerospace Accelerates Production with $53 Million Investment in North Carolina

On November 24, 2025, GE Aerospace announced a significant commitment to its domestic manufacturing capabilities, unveiling a $53 million investment in its West Jefferson, North Carolina facility. This strategic move is designed to bolster the production capacity for narrowbody aircraft engines, specifically the CFM LEAP engine. As the aviation industry continues to face high demand for single-aisle aircraft, this investment underscores the critical need for a robust and resilient supply chain.

The initiative represents a substantial expansion of the company’s footprint in Ashe County. By integrating advanced manufacturing technologies and expanding the physical infrastructure, GE Aerospace aims to meet the surging global requirements for the engines that power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families. We see this as a clear indicator that major aerospace players are prioritizing the stabilization of their internal production lines to ensure timely deliveries to airframe manufacturers.

This announcement is not merely about capital expenditure; it highlights a deepening reliance on the skilled workforce of Western North Carolina. By securing the production of critical components such as rotating parts, blisks, and high-pressure turbines domestically, the company is reinforcing its “Flight Deck” strategy, a proprietary operating model focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This development marks a pivotal moment for the region’s role in the global aerospace sector.

Expanding Capacity and Modernizing Infrastructure

The core of this $53 million investment is allocated to a 35,000-square-foot expansion of the existing West Jefferson facility. This physical growth is necessary to accommodate new, advanced manufacturing equipment aimed at increasing the output of complex engine components. The facility focuses on producing parts for the CFM LEAP engine, which is currently recognized as the best-selling engine in commercial aviation history. The expansion allows for a higher volume of critical parts, including spools and bladed disks (blisks), to flow through the supply chain.

In addition to the infrastructure upgrades, the project is set to create 44 new positions in the region. These roles are technical and specialized, ranging from apprentice machinists and inspectors to manufacturing engineers. To support this influx of high-tech jobs, GE Aerospace is leveraging its long-standing partnership with Wilkes Community College and the NC Edge program. This collaboration ensures that the local workforce is equipped with the necessary training in advanced machining and inspection techniques, creating a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.

We observe that this investment is supported by a collaborative effort between the private sector and local government. The project has secured approximately $1 million in combined contributions from Ashe County, Ashe County Job Development Inc., and the Town of West Jefferson. Furthermore, the state has demonstrated its support through a $100,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. These incentives reflect the strong alignment between local economic development goals and the aerospace giant’s operational needs.

“West Jefferson will now have an even bigger role to play in building the future of flight for GE Aerospace. This expansion is good news for the community, and it is good news for our customers, who are eager to have our engines power their aircraft.”

— Dylan Gerding, West Jefferson Site Leader, GE Aerospace.

Strategic Context: The “Flight Deck” Model and Market Demand

This investment must be viewed through the lens of GE Aerospace’s broader operational strategy. The decision to invest $53 million represents a significant acceleration from previous plans. In March 2025, the company had initially earmarked approximately $13 million for the West Jefferson site as part of a larger $1 billion domestic investment plan. The increase to $53 million by November indicates a rapid reassessment of market needs and a decisive move to eliminate bottlenecks in the production of narrowbody engines.

The expansion aligns seamlessly with the company’s “Flight Deck” lean operating model. This approach prioritizes the reduction of cycle times and defect rates, ensuring that safety and quality remain paramount while increasing throughput. By modernizing the facility with state-of-the-art machinery, we can expect the West Jefferson site to operate with greater efficiency, directly contributing to the stabilization of the global aviation supply chain. This is particularly relevant as manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing strive to meet their own delivery targets in a constrained market.

North Carolina’s status as a “First in Flight” state is further solidified by this development. GE Aerospace currently employs approximately 2,000 workers across four sites in the state, including Durham, Wilmington, and Asheville. The West Jefferson expansion reinforces the state’s reputation as a top-tier aerospace manufacturing hub. The ability to “reshore” and strengthen internal capabilities is a vital component of modern industrial strategy, protecting the company against external supply chain shocks.

“GE Aerospace’s expansion is a win for western North Carolina. GE Aerospace could have chosen any location for this investment, but they chose the ‘First in Flight’ state because they believe in the hardworking people of Ashe County to power them forward.”

— Governor Josh Stein (D-NC).

Conclusion

The $53 million investment in West Jefferson is a calculated step by GE Aerospace to secure the future of its narrowbody engine production. By expanding physical capacity, upgrading technology, and investing in the local workforce, the company is addressing immediate market demands while laying the groundwork for long-term operational resilience. The creation of over 40 new jobs and the modernization of the facility serve as a testament to the enduring importance of manufacturing in Western North Carolina.

As the aviation industry continues to recover and grow, the ability to deliver reliable, high-quality engines like the CFM LEAP will remain a competitive differentiator. We anticipate that this facility will play an increasingly central role in the global aerospace ecosystem, demonstrating how targeted domestic investments can drive both local economic growth and global industrial success.

FAQ

Question: What is the total value of the investment in West Jefferson?
Answer: GE Aerospace is investing approximately $53 million in the facility over the next three years.

Question: Which aircraft engines will this facility support?
Answer: The facility produces critical components for the CFM LEAP engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft families.

Question: How many jobs will be created by this expansion?
Answer: The project is expected to create 44 new positions, including roles for machinists, inspectors, and engineers.

Sources

• GE Aerospace Press Release