GE Aerospace to invest nearly $22M in Huntsville-Limestone County facility

CINCINNATI – Manufacturing is taking off in Huntsville-Limestone County and GE Aerospace is providing an economic engine to drive the growth.

The aircraft engine builder announced plans Wednesday to invest nearly $1 billion in its U.S. factories and supply chain to strengthen manufacturing and increase the use of innovative new parts and materials needed for the future of flight.

Included in that total is $22 million for its plant in Huntsville-Limestone County. The expansion is for additional machines to produce materials that are the building blocks for ceramic matrix composite engine parts.

“GE Aerospace’s investment in Huntsville-Limestone County is great news for North Alabama,” said Bethany Shockney, president & CEO of the Limestone County Economic Development Association. “It reinforces our region’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation, creating new opportunities for our workforce and strengthening our local economy.

“We’re excited to see this growth and the positive impact it will have on Limestone County and the entire region.”

According to the company, the parts are used in narrowbody and widebody aircraft engines, as well as military fighter jet and helicopter engines, and produce critical capabilities for customers.

Upgrades to the building and equipment will also be made to improve the production process and ensure quality, along with more rooms for workers.

The nationwide investment is nearly double last year’s commitment and will help increase engine safety, quality, and delivery, benefitting more than two dozen communities across 16 states, the company said. GE Aerospace also announced it will hire around 5,000 U.S. workers this year, including both manufacturing and engineering roles.

“Investing in manufacturing and innovation is more critical than ever for the future of our industry and the communities where we operate,” said Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. “We are committed to helping our customers modernize and expand their fleets while scaling technologies that will truly define the future of flight.

“Together, this will keep the United States at the forefront of aerospace leadership.”