During a recent holiday gathering on November 14, investors of the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) learned about the significant influence of Lockheed Martin’s decision to shift F-16 production to Greenville.
For the past 40 years, Lockheed Martin has been an integral part of the Greenville community, but a notable expansion occurred seven years ago when the company announced it would relocate its F-16 fighter jet production from Texas to South Carolina.
Ben Peat, the director of operations at Lockheed Martin, presented to GADC investors on how this move has benefited the local area. The company’s facility, which spans 275 acres at the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center, has transformed dramatically. Originally functioning mostly as a maintenance depot with around 20 employees, it now boasts a workforce of roughly 2,000, with about 1,000 of those positions filled within the last few years. Lockheed Martin currently has an ongoing contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to manufacture F-16s, mainly for international allies.
Peat emphasized the creation of a pre-apprenticeship program they have developed in collaboration with organizations such as Ready SC and Greenville Technical College. This program is designed to attract high school graduates and equip them with the skills needed to assemble the Block 70 F-16, the latest version of this advanced fighter jet. So far, around 50 individuals have completed the program.
“We’re thrilled to continue this work in Greenville,” Peat expressed. “When I chose to move here, I was excited about the area, but I didn’t realize how supportive the business environment would be.”
In summary, here are some quick facts about the Lockheed Martin facility in Greenville:
– Situated on 275 acres at the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center
– Features 16 hangars and 1.2 million square feet of covered building space
– Contains approximately 4 million square feet of ramp space
– Supported by around 200 local suppliers in South Carolina
– Contributes approximately $1.3 billion to the annual economy, a significant increase from the $100 million per year prior to the arrival of F-16 production in Greenville County.
