General Electric Co. will break ground this summer on a new jet engine component factory near Batesville, in northwest Mississippi.

GE Aviation, a GE division and producer of jet engines, is creating a 200,000 square foot facility to specialize in advanced composite engine components. Groundbreaking is planned in August, with the plant expected to become operational by early 2009.

Based on current demand for its jet engines, GE anticipates hiring to begin in 2008, with the work force expected to exceed 100 people within the first 18 months of operation.

GE worked closely with the Mississippi Development Authority to secure the Batesville area location. The MDA, the city of Batesville, and the Tennessee Valley Authority have provided technical support and incentives to ensure a smooth and successful start-up.

“Support throughout the state of Mississippi for this new operation has been critical and very gratifying,” said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation, headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio.

To prepare for the new factory, GE in 2006 teamed with the Mississippi State University’s College of Engineering at its Raspet laboratory on an incubator program to demonstrate the production of composite components for jet engines.

The MSU and GE team at Raspet is successfully fabricating carbon fiber and epoxy resin composite components called “fan platforms,” which are installed in between the front fan blades of GE’s most powerful commercial jet engines.

The Raspet success has been an important precursor to GE establishing a permanent site in Mississippi. Raspet will continue to fabricate composite components for GE until the new facility is operational.

GE develops and produces the world’s most advanced composite components in jet engines, which provide greater durability and engine weight savings, which translate directly into better aircraft fuel efficiency.

The Batesville plant is also expected to produce composite components for GE military engines, including components for the F136 engine being developed jointly by GE and Rolls-Royce. The F136 will power the F35 U.S. Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.

GE Aviation employs approximately 38,000 people and operates more than 80 facilities around the world. Engine assembly is performed at facilities in: Cincinnati and Peebles, Ohio; Durham, N.C.; and Lynn, Mass. Engine overhaul, maintenance and on-wing support facilities are located in the U.S., Wales, Scotland, England, and Hungary

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