JetZero to Build $4.7B Aircraft Plant in North Carolina

JetZero Inc, a California-based aerospace startup, will invest $4.7 billion to build a cutting-edge manufacturing plant at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The facility, set to create over 14,500 jobs by 2036, will produce the Z4, a blended-wing jet that’s 50% more fuel-efficient than traditional airliners.

The Z4, designed for 250 passengers with a 5,000-nautical-mile range, reduces drag and noise while offering wider cabins and larger doors for a better passenger experience. It runs on jet fuel but can adapt to hydrogen. JetZero aims to start service in the early 2030s, producing 20 planes monthly. The plant will use advanced AI tools for efficient production and include a research center for composite materials.

North Carolina’s largest-ever job commitment comes with over $2.3 billion in state and local incentives, including $1 billion in tax-based state funds, $784 million from Greensboro and Guilford County, and $450 million for infrastructure. Jobs will average $89,000 annually. JetZero chose Greensboro after reviewing 25 sites across 17 states, citing the state’s 400+ aerospace firms and skilled workforce.

Backed by $300 million, including U.S. Air Force funding for a 2027 demonstrator, JetZero has conditional orders from United and Alaska Airlines. CEO Tom O’Leary called the project “a new chapter for American aerospace.” Governor Josh Stein said, “North Carolina, first in flight, is now the future of flight.”

The project builds on the region’s aerospace growth, joining Honda Aircraft and Boom Supersonic in the Piedmont Triad. Despite competition from Boeing and Airbus, JetZero’s focus on sustainability and innovation positions it to meet rising demand for greener air travel.

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