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GE Aerospace Expands West Jefferson, North Carolina, Jet Engine Assembly Operations

Area Development News Desk

11/26/2025

Jet and turboprop engines provider GE Aerospace plans to expand its assembly operations in West Jefferson, North Carolina. The more than $52.9 million project is expected to create 44 jobs in Ashe County.

The investment will enhance the production of critical components for the CFM LEAP engines, which are used in a significant portion of commercial and military aircraft.

“West Jefferson will now have an even bigger role to play in building the future of flight for GE Aerospace,” said Dylan Gerding, the GE Aerospace site leader for West Jefferson. “This expansion is good news for the community, and it is good news for our customers, who are eager to have our engines power their aircraft."

To support the project a performance-based grant of $100,000 has been awarded from the One North Carolina Fund. The OneNC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require matching participation from local governments, and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“More than 400 aerospace companies call North Carolina home,” noted Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Our booming aviation and aerospace sector continues to thrive thanks to innovators like GE Aerospace. With our STEM talent and research and training centers, North Carolina will remain first in talent while attracting global manufacturers for our aviation supply chain.”

GE Aerospace designs and manufactures jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. The company operates through two main segments: Commercial Engines & Services and Defense & Propulsion Technologies.

In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Wilkes Community College, Ashe County,?the Town of West Jefferson, Blue Ridge Energy, and Frontier Gas.

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