Economic incentives for PTI Airport could mean new manufacturers and jobs

A major aircraft manufacturer could be coming to the Triad. A state budget amendment bill earmarks more than $106 million for development at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) would be for a “high yield” airplane manufacturer in Guilford County. The bill also lays out how those funds would be spent for improvements. It includes site preparation, roadwork and construction for one or more new hangers.

It's unclear how many jobs this project could bring, but the average annual wage would be at least $60,000.

State lawmakers close to the potential plan didn't return a request for comment.

Several aerospace manufacturers already call PTI home including Honda and FedEx. In a press release, airport officials say they can't discuss specifics of ongoing economic development projects. They say that the authority has focused on preparing nearly 1000 acres for industry growth over the last decade.

This isn't the only project in the Piedmont Triad region that could benefit from economic incentives.

The new state budget includes $300 million for potential development at the Greensboro-Randolph County megasite. State and local officials have been trying to entice an automotive manufacturer to locate there for years.

North Carolina was a top contender for a Toyota/Mazda plant at that site in 2018. 

According to Bloomberg News, Toyota is eyeing the site again, this time for a battery manufacturing facility.