When JetZero announced its decision to build a $4.7 billion advanced manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the headlines were loud. But even louder will be the ripple effects felt across our communities in the coming years.
This isn’t just another big announcement. It’s transformational. With over 14,700 new jobs promised — the largest job-creating announcement in the state’s history, nearly triple the workforce of Toyota’s nearby battery plant — the Triad is suddenly not just a contender but a cornerstone in North Carolina’s economic development strategy.
But this story isn’t just about numbers. It’s about progressive leadership, vision, and discipline — and the responsibilities we now carry as a region.
I recently hosted a conversation with Robbie Perkins, former mayor of Greensboro, real estate expert, and long-time advocate for smart regional growth. His perspective underscored what many in economic development circles already know: this announcement didn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of decades of infrastructure planning, intentional land use, and a region quietly readying itself for a moment like this.
In fact, Greensboro’s aviation sector, already anchored by companies like HondaJet, Boom Supersonic, and HAECO, will more than double in size with JetZero’s arrival. The decision to land in Greensboro validates the strategy at PTI to prepare shovel-ready sites, build critical bridges and taxiways, and anticipate the evolving needs of advanced manufacturers.
But make no mistake: this opportunity comes with responsibility.
Robbie was candid about the urgent need to build housing across all income levels. If we don’t aggressively expand our housing supply, residents — especially those already struggling — will face rising rents and mounting pressure in terms of available units. And now, with the promise of nearly 15,000 new jobs — not to mention thousands more from suppliers and service industries — we’re at real risk of pricing people out of their own city.
“This isn’t just an affordable housing issue,” Robbie stressed. “We need housing at every price point. And we need it now.”
But housing is just the start. Water, sewer, transit, public safety, education, workforce training — all of it must scale to meet the moment. Robbie expressed the city and county will need to lead regional water and sewer planning to effectively manage finite resources during this explosive growth.
Companies will expect Greensboro to enhance regional connectivity through better public transit options throughout the surrounding areas to the airport. Residents will look to local community colleges and universities to rise to the occasion and be prepared to train workers for high-paying, high-skill jobs with an average salary near $89,000.
The truth is: Greensboro has quietly become the third leg of North Carolina’s economic development stool, alongside Raleigh and Charlotte. And JetZero cements that position.
JetZero isn’t Boeing or Airbus. It’s a startup betting big on next-generation aircraft — a blended-wing design that promises lower emissions and better fuel efficiency. It has captured national attention, but it hasn’t successfully flown quite yet. Production delays, technical obstacles, or shifts in market and economic conditions could impact job delivery timelines or scale. But Robbie was quick to remind me: “We’ve been flying on the same basic aircraft design for over 60 years. It’s time for something new.”
Robbie is again running for mayor of the City of Greensboro, so this announcement intensifies his call for bold civic leadership. We talked about the importance of leveraging UNC Greensboro and NC A&T in downtown, revitalizing abandoned storefronts, and creating a 24/7 downtown vibe that attracts young professionals and major employers. His vision of downtown Greensboro as the next regional megasite is fascinating and has the potential to create a massive center city with immense live, work, and play options.
That kind of vision is what brought JetZero here. Now it’s up to us to match it.
This announcement will be felt across the entire region — from Guilford to Forsyth to Randolph and beyond. The construction jobs alone will put money into local pockets long before the first plane rolls off the line. The demand for services — from logistics to food service to IT — will bring opportunities to nearly every corner of our regional economy.
As Robbie and I wrapped up our conversation, he said something that stuck with me: “A win for one is good for all.” That’s a sentiment we must not lose sight of as the entire state benefits from this new wave of economic prosperity.
JetZero chose Greensboro. Now it’s our job to rise to the occasion — not just with excitement, but with a sense of urgency and proactive execution. We’ve talked for years about our region wanting to be more than an afterthought. With this announcement, we’re now center stage.