There have been a lot of big milestones at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA) in the past few years, and another one is about to take place on Friday morning, Sept. 15, when Marshall USA breaks ground for its new facility at PTIA where the company will conduct aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul – largely on big military transport planes.

Marshall USA is making its September 15 ground breaking into a high-profile event with a lot of photo and interview opportunities for area media.  The company has invited reporters, airport officials, elected leaders, economic development officials and many others to the event that marks yet more growth at the airport that once was a sleepy little spot Piedmont Airlines used to fly in and out of.

Operations at Marshall’s facility are expected to start in early 2025 and bring about 240 new jobs to the area — largely to handle support and repair operations for Lockheed-Martin’s C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft.

The first phase of development will entail construction of a single hangar with six large bays for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul as well as an additional bay for painting the large military prop-planes.

Just a few of the elected officials who are expected to attend are Sixth District Congresswoman Kathy Manning, Senator Thom Tillis, Senator Ted Budd, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Jones and High Point Mayor Jay Wagner.

There will also be senior US military leadership in attendance, as well as Marshall Aerospace Managing Director Neil McManus – who’s making himself available to the press for a half-hour roundtable and Q&A.

There will also be remarks from newly appointed Marshall USA President Ken Loy, Marshall Aerospace Managing Director Neil McManus and Piedmont Triad International Airport Executive Director Kevin Baker, who probably deserves a raise for all the new things he’s having to oversee at the airport.

After press events early Friday morning, the prepared remarks will take place outside the terminal building starting at 10 a.m.

That will be followed by the groundbreaking ceremony  at 10:45.

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