Aerospace company bringing aircraft manufacturing to Bladen County

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An aviation management company is bringing an aircraft manufacturing plant to Bladen County, creating 33 new jobs in the process.

The news was announced Wednesday, with Sovereign Aerospace planning to invest $4.15 million to manufacture, sell, and service personal aircraft in Elizabethtown.

“North Carolina continues to garner national attention as a leading state for aerospace manufacturing,” said Governor Cooper. “With dynamic veteran-owned companies like Sovereign Aerospace expanding in Bladen County, our state has great potential to be a leader in aviation worldwide.”

Founded by retired Airforce Veteran Phillip “Slim” Thompson, Sovereign Aerospace was established in 2021 to provide pilot training, consulting services, aircraft brokering, and general aviation maintenance. While the company supports clients and entrepreneurial aviators through a wide-range of services, at its core, Sovereign Aerospace strives to help veterans find community, learn new skills, and transition to civilian life, according to a press release.

New positions created by Sovereign Aerospace will include inspectors, mechanics, technicians, and administrative staff. Salaries will vary by position; however, the average annual wage is $56,061, exceeding the Bladen County average of $41,913. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $1.85 million for the region.

Kenny Flowers is the Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He said, “33 new jobs, $25 million in investments. So, you just get real excited when you know that will impact the people here and give them the opportunity to grow economically.”

Elizabethtown Mayor Slyvia Campbell said she’s on cloud nine. She called Wednesday “history is in the making.” 

“They’re only four other manufacturing for general aviation aircraft makes in the United States and we’re happy to be number five,” Campbell said. 

Campbell explained what the process will look like along with her hopes for the future.

“Parts will be made in Italy, but they will bring it here for assembly and then hopefully they will, maybe in two years, start manufacturing the airplane here,” Campbell said. 

She said this facility will be the first of its kind in the state.