Pratt & Whitney (East Hartford, Connecticut) a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. says it plans to invest at least $650 million through 2027 in a world-class turbine airfoil production facility in Asheville, North Carolina. The 1-million-square-foot facility will house an advanced casting foundry for the production of turbine airfoils; the company will also conduct machining, coating and finishing of airfoils at the new location.

“This investment will enable Pratt & Whitney to continue to modernize and transform its operations with cutting-edge technologies,” said Chris Calio, president, Pratt & Whitney. “Turbine airfoils are a critical component across our engine portfolio, and demand will increase significantly as the market recovers over the next several years. We need to invest today to ensure that we have the infrastructure, production capabilities and workforce in place to meet future market demand and provide the best products to our customers worldwide. We are grateful for the support provided by the State of North Carolina and the local community.” 

The company says the investment will create 800 new jobs through 2027 in Connecticut’s Buncombe County where it will implement best-in-class manufacturing technologies and processes that exemplify Industry 4.0 manufacturing principles, all of which will complement existing turbine airfoil work that is done across Pratt & Whitney’s other facilities. 

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said, “We are positioning North Carolina to come out of this pandemic with these and other good paying jobs which signals a bright future in aviation even with the current challenges the industry faces. Manufacturers know they can count on our strong workforce, our innovation and our leadership in uncertain times.” 

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland added, “North Carolina’s leadership in aerospace may have started with the Wright Brothers, but make no mistake, this industry is a vibrant part of our state’s modern economy, as [this] announcement proves. We welcome Pratt & Whitney’s new investment in North Carolina.