July 2024: During Florida’s Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez’s international mission to the Farnborough Air Show 2024, the aviation company AURA AERO announced the opening of its 1st US facility within Embry-Riddle and the decision to locate a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly plant in Florida.
AURA AERO SAS is a French designer and manufacturer of aircraft headquartered in Toulouse, France. This decision follows the company’s move last year to create a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the University’s Research Park in Daytona Beach, which is now open. The new manufacturing facility is estimated to create 1,030 jobs with an average wage of $73,695 and has a projected capital investment of $172.5 million.
“Today’s announcement is the result of our administration’s strategic investments towards the growing aerospace and aviation industry in Florida,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “I am thrilled that AURA AERO has decided to expand their presence in Florida. We applaud their commitment to bringing additional high-wage job opportunities for Floridians and their dedication to the aerospace industry in our state.”
“Thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida continues to elevate its status as a leader in research and development, and manufacturing. Our aligned and targeted investments in workforce readiness, site readiness, housing readiness, and financial readiness create a network of connected successes that establishes confidence in investors, communities, businesses, and families to ultimately call Florida home,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “The key to the success of this effort was the work of the Lieutenant Governor and Embry-Riddle who first began working with AURA AERO at the Paris Air Show in July 2023, and we are grateful to see the company selecting Florida.”
SelectFlorida’s delegation at the Farnborough Air Show 2024 totaled more than 150 attendees, including representatives from 19 Florida companies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and 12 local economic development partners.
“We are thrilled to unveil AURA AERO’s expansion in the USA with the development of our industrial footprint in Florida,” said AURA AERO CEO Jérémy Caussade. “Supported by the State of Florida, Select Florida, and our partner Embry-Riddle, we have the perfect ecosystem to bring a new generation of aircraft to our American customers.”
AURA AERO is opening the plant to move closer to its customer base in the U.S..
The plant will manufacture and assemble hybrid electric regional aircraft (ERA) with the goal of producing 100 ERAs per year. It is expected to be operational in 2028 and will start assembling aircraft in Q4 of 2028.
“Our state has long been at the forefront of aerospace innovation, and AURA AERO’s decision to expand here underscores our commitment to making Florida the global hub for aerospace commerce with access to a robust workforce and an unbeatable location built for business,” said Space Florida President and CEO Robert Long. “We also are thrilled for Embry-Riddle as they continue to connect top-tier talent with innovative companies right here in Florida.”
Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida remains one of the nation’s leading manufacturing states, with Florida manufacturing employment reaching more than 422,000 in 2023. Learn more about Florida’s manufacturing industry here.
Photo: AURA AERO sas
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