GREENSBORO, N.C. — JetZero, a California-based aerospace startup company, will open a $4.7 billion manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Construction on the facility is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with the first deliveries beginning in the early 2030s.
The facility will house production of the company’s commercial all-wing design airplane titled Z4. Once the site is operational, the company’s headquarters will be relocated from Long Beach, Calif. to Greensboro. JetZero projects that the facility will account for the creation of about 14,500 new jobs by 2063, providing opportunities for collaboration with academic and vocational training institutions.
“North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation,” says Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-Founder of JetZero.
JetZero has partnered with the smart infrastructure, electrification and automation divisions of German congolomerate Siemens to design a “factory of the future” that will be fully digital and AI-driven in order to increase speed, cut costs and improve quality to outpace original equipment manufacturers.
Z4 planes will be able to accommodate 250 passengers with up to 50 percent better fuel efficiency than today’s commercial tubes and wing jets, according to JetZero. By the late 2030s, JetZero will be capable of producing up to 20 Z4 airplanes a month at the facility’s full run rate, the company says.
“North Carolina’s expansive community college network will serve as a critical workforce development engine for JetZero,” says John Loyack, vice president of economic development for the North Carolina Community College System.
This project is the largest economic development project in the state based on job commitment, according to the office of Governor Josh Stein.
A number of key factors contributed to JetZero’s selection of North Carolina for its new manufacturing location, including the state’s aerospace ecosystem, access to world-class research, university and technical colleges, as well as its commitment to bringing innovative businesses to the state. The company is currently working with state and local officials on workforce development and training programs.
“Together, we’re poised to accelerate innovation, create high-quality jobs and position North Carolina as the next great U.S. aerospace hub — laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive future,” says Barbara Humpton, president and CEO of Siemens USA.
Founded in 2021, JetZero is a California-based aerospace startup that specializes in the development of blended wing body (BWB) aircraft to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry. The company currently holds partnerships with NASA, Siemens, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and suppliers including RTX and BAE Systems.
— Abby Cox