Pratt & Whitney, a business which specializes in aircraft and helicopter engines, will be expanding operations in Columbus, Georgia. The expansion will create nearly 400 new jobs and invest $206 million in the county.
Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the news while attending the 2023 Paris Air Show in France on Tuesday.
“Not every state has the opportunity to announce new jobs and opportunities with an industry leader and great partner like Pratt & Whitney at the Paris Air Show,” said Kemp. “Georgia is a top five exporter of aerospace products in the U.S., totaling $9.2 billion in 2022, alone. From the flights that go through the world’s most utilized airport to the engines in the very airplanes, the Peach State is crucial to the movement of goods and products. Pratt & Whitney’s decision to expand will only further that reputation.”
“Opened in 1984, the Pratt & Whitney Columbus facility includes the Columbus Engine Center and Columbus Forge, both of which operate on the same campus,” a press release from Kemp’s office said. “The Columbus Engine Center maintains Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines for the Embraer E-Jets E2, Airbus A220, and Airbus A320neo aircraft families, along with F117 and F100 military engines. Columbus Forge produces compressor airfoils and other critical components for Pratt & Whitney’s commercial and military engines.”
“The Columbus Engine Center and Columbus Forge are located at 8987 Macon Road and 8801 Macon Road in Columbus, respectively,” the press release added. “The expansion will include new machinery and equipment as well as add 81,000 square feet to the Columbus Engine Center, increasing overhaul capacity to 400 GTF engines per year.”
