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U.S. Titanium Company to invest $867 million in Cumberland County; 300 jobs created with a new manufacturing facility

By Staff Report, posted Jul 23, 2024 on BizFayetteville.com

The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is proud to announce that Project Aero has chosen Cumberland County for its aerospace-grade titanium mill. The company will create over 300 jobs, with an average salary of $123,476, while investing more than $867 million in buildings and equipment.

Project Aero addresses a substantial manufacturing supply chain need of the United States’ aerospace industry – namely, the availability of aerospace-grade titanium. Aerospace Manufacturers value titanium for its unique properties. Titanium can be combined with many other metals, such as aluminum, vanadium, and iron. Titanium alloys are valued by aircraft

manufacturers, as well as across many industries due to their low density, high strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand extremes of temperature. The company’s project in Fayetteville will establish approximately a 500,000-square-foot facility and campus that is purpose-built to melt, roll, and finish titanium.

“With 20 plus years at U.S. Steel and 13 years at Nucor Corporation, developing five greenfield steel mill projects, I am proud to lead the construction of such a mission-critical project,” said LeRoy Prichard, president of Capital Projects for Project Aero in a press release.

In May, the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County approved incentive packages designed to support the project, provided the company achieves required performance benchmarks.

“We are thrilled that Project Aero has chosen Cumberland County for their new state-of-the-art facility, and we look forward to welcoming them to our community,” said County Chairman Glenn Adams in a press release. “When we, as the Board, consider which projects to recruit into our community, we are always mindful of the impact on our residents and the opportunities they will provide. We want everyone to know that Cumberland County is open for business and hope this will spur continued economic growth.”

“This project highlights our potential in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, making Fayetteville poised for tremendous growth and increased prosperity,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin in a press release. “This historic investment will create several hundred high-paying jobs, with average salaries nearly double the national average and significantly higher than the average salary in North Carolina. We are excited to welcome this transformational project to Fayetteville and look forward to the future opportunities it will bring."

On behalf of the company, Project Aero Chairman Teresa McBride expressed appreciation for all that is being done to support the project.

“This would not have been possible without the support of Governor Roy Cooper, the State of North Carolina, Cumberland County, The City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville PWC, Dr. Franklin Clark, and Piedmont Natural Gas. We are grateful for the tireless effort FCEDC President & CEO

Robert Van Geons and Executive Vice President Rob Patton have given to advance this project. We would also like to specifically thank Mayor Mitch Colvin, Chairman Glenn Adams, and PWC CEO Tim Bryant for their leadership and support,” said McBride.

In a release today announcing the project, Governor Roy Cooper shared: “From the moment the Wright brothers pioneered powered flight at Kitty Hawk, the aerospace industry has been a cornerstone of modern life, driving technological advancements and fostering connectivity. North

Carolina offers aerospace manufacturers like this one in Cumberland County a talented workforce, worker training systems, and world-class transportation networks that will help them grow and succeed in our state.”

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