As one of the country’s top states for aerospace, Georgia serves as a model for aerospace innovation. It’s home to more than 800 aerospace companies, and aerospace is the state’s No. 1 export based on dollar value – $9.2 billion in 2022. It’s also the state’s second-largest manufacturing industry, contributing to a total economic impact of $57.5 billion. In addition, Georgia is the fifth-largest aerospace exporter in the United States.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the state, and recently announced its fifth expansion since 2006. Gulfstream’s worldwide headquarters have been located in Savannah since 1967, and the company has added 2,000 employees in Chatham County since the start of 2022. 

Other large major manufacturing operations in the state includeLockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney, Northrup Grumman, and Meggitt. Aerospace manufacturing companies employ 19,275, and approximately 200,000 people in the state work in aerospace-related occupations. Georgia’s aerospace manufacturing industry is also complemented by a robust defense industry, with Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman at the helm.  

Workforce Pipeline  

Georgia’s business-friendly ecosystem is bolstered by academic resources and institutions that establish a pipeline of workers for the aerospace industry. The state is home to two of the nation’s top 20 public universities – the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, which is one of the leading producers of aerospace engineers. Middle Georgia State University is one of only nine institutions in the U.S. to offer degrees in aviation ranging from a master’s degree to one-year certificates.  

In addition to recent graduates, Georgia’s workforce also benefits from a consistent stream of skilled and experienced workers discharged from the state’s military institutions. With more than 700,000 veterans living in the state, aerospace companies proudly claim veterans as a key part of their workforce.  

To further support businesses, Georgia Quick Start offers qualifying aerospace companies customized, strategic workforce solutions at no cost.  

Always Innovating

All of Gulfstream’s R&D is performed in Savannah. Research is the backbone of the Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, and The Delta Innovation Hub is the centerpiece of the University of Georgia's Innovation District. The Hanger, located in Midtown Atlanta, serves as Delta’s collaborative space for design ideation, rapid prototyping, and innovation training. And Hermeus, a startup company from Atlanta, is developing commercial hypersonic aircraft. 

GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson attended the opening of Delta Air Lines TechOps’ new GTF Engine Shop near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The first of its kind in North America, this significant milestone for Georgia’s aviation industry positions the state to provide comprehensive maintenance options for all three next-generation engine platforms at the world's busiest and most efficient airport.  

The Georgia Center of Innovation aerospace team helps organizations with aerospace manufacturing, maintenance repair, overhaul, research, and education. The Center helps connect businesses to resources including university researchers, business organizations, contract manufacturers, and many others.  

Future-focused Industry 

Tapping into the Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAS) sector of Georgia’s aerospace ecosystem, The Center of Innovation helped Skyfire Consulting, which develops safe and legal drone programs for public safety enterprises, accelerate their business. The Center provided them with connections to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), local governments, and Georgia Tech; as well as speaker and award opportunities (Skyfire Consulting was named a 2021 Georgia Small Business ROCK STAR); and other support to expand the company’s reach.  

Aerospace is one of many growing advanced manufacturing sectors in Georgia. In November 2022, Archer Aviation, an aerospace company advancing sustainable urban air mobility, announced plans to invest $118 million in a new state-of-the-art electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) manufacturing facility. This is just one of more than 40 e-mobility investments in the state since 2020.  

With its pro-business environment and world-class infrastructure, Georgia has what aerospace corporate executives want. For more information about the aerospace industry in Georgia and opportunities for incentives, visit georgia.org/industries/aerospace.