GE Aerospace: $20 Million into Asheville Plant, Bolstering WNC's Advanced Manufacturing Muscle

Asheville --  GE Aerospace is putting $20 million to work right here in its Asheville facility this year. It's a welcome investment that speaks volumes about the company's confidence in the high-tech manufacturing happening locally and the skilled people doing the job.

This Asheville funding is one piece of a much bigger picture. GE Aerospace is investing nearly $1 billion across the country in 2025, with North Carolina sites seeing about $101 million total. This national effort aims to ramp up production to meet the incredibly high demand for modern, fuel-saving jet engines.

So, what will Asheville's $20 million slice look like on the factory floor? It’s targeted at boosting the plant’s capabilities. Expect new equipment dedicated to making GE’s cutting-edge Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) parts – super-light, super-tough materials first mass-produced here that help make jet engines sip fuel. The funds will also bring in advanced inspection tools and high-precision machines for crafting complex metal engine components.

Asheville's GE facility is already a world leader in CMC production, and these materials are vital for improving aircraft efficiency. The plant also produces critical rotating metal parts, employing hundreds of local workers in specialized roles.

For the team at GE Asheville and the wider community, this investment is good news for stability. While it's not bringing a wave of new hires right now (GE is hiring thousands nationally, though), this $20 million is key to keeping the current local jobs secure. It helps ensure the Asheville plant stays ahead of the curve with the latest technology, ready to compete for future engine projects and work.

Ultimately, it means the intricate, high-performance parts built right here in Western North Carolina will continue playing a crucial part in planes flying overhead worldwide. This investment helps keep Asheville on the map for aerospace innovation and supports the kind of skilled manufacturing jobs vital to our region's economy.

WNCTimes

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