Titanium Company Selects Fayetteville For $867 Million Aerospace-Grade Mill With 300 Jobs

A titanium metal company has selected Cumberland County to build what state and local officials are calling a "major manufacturing plant," bringing more than 300 jobs to the community.

In a release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Project Aero - the local project name for the mill for American Titanium Metal, LLC - said it will be building its new $867.8 million facility in Fayetteville.

The facility is slated for a location near Goodyear off Bethune Drive, on the north side of Fayetteville. The facility will be a 500,000-square-foot building and campus.

"From the moment the Wright brothers pioneered powered flight at Kitty Hawk, the aerospace industry has been a cornerstone of modern life, driving technological advancements and fostering connectivity," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. "North Carolina offers aerospace manufacturers like this one in Cumberland County a talented workforce, worker training systems, and world-class transportation networks that will help them grow and succeed in our state."

According to Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation officials, the project "addresses a substantial manufacturing supply chain need of the United States’ aerospace industry – namely, the availability of aerospace-grade titanium." That metal is used largely in aircraft manufacturing, and many other industries.

Officials said 304 jobs are being created, with an average salary of $123,476. That's more than double the current average salary in the county, of $45,951.

“This project highlights our potential in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, making Fayetteville poised for tremendous growth and increased prosperity,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. “This historic investment will create several hundred high-paying jobs, with average salaries nearly double the national average and significantly higher than the average salary in North Carolina. We are excited to welcome this transformational project to Fayetteville and look forward to the future opportunities this project will bring."

If the temperatures weren't hot enough on the field, Flo Rida certainly elevated things to cap off a wild 2024 4that the Fort celebration Saturday at Fort Liberty.

The hip hop star known for his hits like "Right Round," "My House," "Low," "Good Feeling," and "Club Can't Handle Me" was the final act on a big day (that ended with a late night).

The day started with the 82nd Rock Band performing in the afternoon heat, which reached temperatures into the mid-90s. That was followed by the always incredible Golden Knights parachute demonstration team.

And then one of the signature moments of the annual Independence Celebration on post, Don Chase and KC from the Big 95.7 KML emceed the Flag Ceremony. With the cannons firing off salutes for all 50 states, plus for every command and subordinate command unit on Fort Liberty, it's a memorable moment for everyone.

Award-winning country duo Maddie & Tae then got the headliner concerts going, with performances of their hits, including "Girl in a Country Song," and "Die From a Broken Heart."

Pop-rock group The Plain White T's had probably the moment of the day, with a big crowd belting out the massive hit song "Hey There Delilah." Lead singer Tom Higgenson also lamented on the heat, wondering if it was always like this down here.

And then after a mysterious late start, Flo Rida finally took the stage for his performance. The high-energy set featured all his hits, plus lots of interaction with the crowd, including a couple of journeys into the middle of the Parade Ground on the shoulders of one of his team members.

The night was capped off with a huge fireworks display - albeit a delayed one, to celebrate America.

The annual event put on by the Fort Liberty MWR team was held on Saturday, instead of on July 4 itself, so that military families could celebrate the long holiday weekend together.