Southeastern North Carolina is an ideal location for aviation and aerospace companies. Our excellence in logistics and distribution, existing metalworking and manufacturing base, the largest military presence on the east coast and the location of over 280 aerospace companies statewide are a few of the assets NC can offer for this growing industry. In our region there are in excess of 10,000 exiting military personnel each year equipped with the skills needed for success in this industry as well as 5 public and private universities graduating over 4,000 students annually and 8 community colleges with an annual enrollment of 115,000 students (roughly 10% of the region’s population) to meet this cluster’s workforce needs. The southeastern region also boasts five airports with runway lengths ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet all with adjacent industrial sites and three with uncontrolled airspace. Several other resources exist in NC to assist new aviation and aerospace companies such as the North Carolina Aerospace Initiative, a joint venture with educational and economic development organizations to promote applied research and aerospace education. The region’s strategic proximity to the port of Wilmington, GE’s aircraft engines facility in Wilmington, Boeing’s Dreamliner facility in Charleston, Spirit Aerosystems in Kinston and HondaJet in Geensboro are just a few examples of why southeastern NC is poised for rapid growth and success in the aviation and aerospace sector.

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• Strategically located within a 200 mile radius of Boeing 787 Dreamliner facility, GE Aircraft Engines, Spirit AeroSystems, HondaJet, and General Dynamics.

• Largest military presence on the east coast: Seymour Johnson Airforce Base, Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, Marine Corp Air Station New River, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, US Coast Guard Sector NC, US Army Fort Bragg, and Pope Army Airfield.

• 4 Airports with adjacent industrial parks, 3 of which have uncontrolled airspace.

• Mid-Atlantic Location gives access to 170 Million US and Canadian residence in a one-day drive time.

• 10,000+ exiting military personnel annually with skill sets that can easily be applied to the Aviation and Aerospace industry.

• Workforce that is 10% more productive than the national average.

• The lowest unionization rates in the country (3.1%).

• Existing large metalworking cluster and advanced manufacturing workforce.

• 2 deep water ports in NC and within 200 miles of the highest volume ports on the east coast (Norfolk, VA and Charleston, SC)

• Free customizable training programs through NC’s Community College system at any of our eight Community Colleges.

• Foreign Trade Zone at the Port of Wilmington.

• Several programs and initiatives statewide to increase NC’s Aviation and Aerospace cluster.

• Highly competitive incentives and financial assistance.

• Population growth at nearly twice the national average.

• Quality of life that attracts and retains talent with a cost of living that is lower than the national average.