The Sky’s the Limit for Aerospace in Georgia

In a recent interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Steve Shaffer, aerospace director at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)’s Center of Innovation, said it best: “the sky’s the limit” for the state’s No. 1 export product for more than a decade.

That’s because Georgia isn’t just building aircraft and engine parts – it’s building the future of aerospace. 

Strategic initiatives

Aerospace is an area that Georgia “should be getting the respect we deserve,” in the words of Kristi Brigman, Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Chief Economic Development Officer. Atlanta has seen seven aerospace-related relocations or expansions since 2021, adding over 1,160 jobs. The most recent addition was PBS Aerospace, an international manufacturer of turbojet engines and auxiliary power units that has been present in the U.S. market for more than a decade. 

The Metro Atlanta Chamber is amplifying its focus on aerospace and defense, capitalizing on Georgia's booming industry ecosystem. The chamber’s aerospace push targets education, manufacturing, and hosting industry events to attract investments.

Innovative collaborations

Georgia needs “to make sure we have our fingers on the pulse of those new and emerging technologies,” Shaffer said.

One area the article explores is alternative fuel, which is rapidly becoming a key focus for companies. 

Industry leaders including Georgia-headquartered Delta Air Lines as well as Airbus are studying hydrogen fuel technology, which is already being deployed as an alternative fuel in heavy-duty trucks by Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County, Georgia, and the Georgia Ports Authority. 

In South Georgia, LanzaJet invests in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), sourcing low-carbon ethanol for the production of SAF and renewable diesel fuel. East of Atlanta, Archer Aviation is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. 

These advancements are supported by local and statewide partnerships. Research universities, including the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), help solve for industry challenges and foster innovation while economic developers build relationships across education, existing industry, and potential additions to Georgia’s collaborative ecosystem. 

Read ‘The sky’s the limit’: How high can Atlanta’s aerospace industry soar? by Zachary Hansen, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for more from Shaffer, Brigman, and Georgia Tech professor Dimitri Mavris.

For more information on Georgia’s aerospace industry:

• Georgia: A Premier Destination for Aerospace and Defense Opportunities: An overview of Georgia’s aerospace ecosystem, from industry leaders to workforce initiatives. 
• Hear from Director of Aerospace Steve Shaffer as he shares how the Center of Innovation can help aerospace businesses take off.
• Opportunities for Aerospace and Defense Exporters: MRO Americas and More: Senior International Trade Manager at GDEcD Taube Ponce talks about the many opportunities offered to Georgia-based aerospace and defense companies.