After many months of talks, construction crews are getting ready to put shovels in the ground for a new, $118-million electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturing facility alongside Covington Municipal Airport in Newton County, outside Atlanta, Ga.
The massive state-of-the-art facility will consist of three separate buildings across more than 96 sprawling acres. Up to 2,300 aircraft per year will be produced at the plant. It is slated to open in the first half of 2024.
The facility is critical to Georgia’s efforts to remain a leader in the aerospace industry. The state has a robust aerospace education pipeline, with dozens of high schools that offer training in the field, five technical colleges with aviation programs and several universities that offer degrees in aerospace engineering.
Presently, Georgia is home to more than 800 aerospace companies.
Santa Clara, Calif.-based Archer Aviation Inc., an aerospace company designing and developing eVTOL aircraft, is building the facility. The company’s vision is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. The facility will create 1,000 jobs over a 10-year period.
“After many months of discussion and evaluation, we’re excited to announce Archer’s decision to locate its first manufacturing facility in Covington as we continue to progress towards commercialization,” says Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO. “Our goal of creating Urban Air Mobility networks across major cities nationwide requires us to ramp production of our aircraft. This facility represents a huge step toward ensuring we can meet this challenge head-on.”
The aircraft manufacturing facility is part of a long-term master plan for the airport. Large parcels of land adjacent to the facility have been set aside for development. The new facility will use one of the parcels. The plant will be strategically accessible from Georgia’s robust interstate system via I-20.
Glen Burks, vice-president of manufacturing at Archer, says the manufacturing facility is a “crucial step” in bringing the vision for eVTOL travel to life.
“We couldn’t be happier with Covington as a location and partner for this significant next step in our company’s development and growth,” he notes. “We can’t wait to break ground in the coming months and begin this new chapter in Georgia.”
Construction of the plant is expected to take roughly a year. It is slated to open in the first half of 2024.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement the state has made fostering innovation a priority as it works with companies to attract the jobs of the future.
“Our established leadership in the aerospace industry was essential to landing Archer Aviation in Newton County, and we’re pleased to welcome them to the Peach State.”
The Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), has been cultivating an ecosystem of opportunities for innovative companies like Archer Aviation for more than 10 years by building and connecting Unmanned Arial Systems (UAS) networks for the commercialization of Advanced Air Mobility and UAS Systems.
The Global Commerce Industrial Projects team represented the GDEcD on the eVTOL project in partnership with the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Center of Innovation’s Aerospace industry team, Georgia EMC, Georgia Quick Start, and Georgia Tech.
“Technology and innovation continue to drive change across strategic industries, and Archer Aviation is on the forefront of a technological evolution in the aviation industry,” says GDEcD commissioner Pat Wilson. “Utilizing an innovative, state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft design, the company will look to sustainably tackle mobility issues in our urban centres, and we are thrilled they decided to invest in Georgia.”
“Our Center of Innovation’s specialized Aerospace team has been uniquely involved in this project, and I am proud of their continued efforts to foster Georgia’s aerospace and defence industries.”
Metro Atlanta Chamber president and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick says the strength of Georgia’s aerospace industry will ensure the success of Archer’s operation.
“Metro Atlanta’s expertise in the aviation industry coupled with the support of our academic, business, civic and government partners make our region the perfect place to invest in a new facility.”
Lanier Sims, chairman of the Newton County Industrial Development Authority, said in a statement Archer fits perfectly with the community’s industry mix and will be an incredible asset to the airport.
“The development authority is committed to ensuring our workforce is prepared for our community’s future and ready for the outstanding jobs to come from Archer Aviation.”
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