Avio USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Italian aerospace and propulsion leader Avio, has selected Pittsylvania County as the location for a major new advanced manufacturing facility, Governor Abigail Spanberger announced on February 23, 2026. The project represents more than $500 million in private investment and is expected to create approximately 1,500 new high-quality jobs in Southern Virginia.
The facility, to be constructed at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt, will manufacture solid rocket motors used across defense, tactical propulsion, missile systems, and commercial space applications. Solid rocket motors are a critical technology for defense and aerospace sectors, providing robust, reliable propulsion for a range of missiles and launch systems.
Avio’s Expansion Strengthens U.S. Manufacturing and National Security
Founded in 1912 and headquartered near Rome, Italy, Avio is a globally recognized designer and manufacturer of propulsion systems. Its U.S. subsidiary, Avio USA, was established in Arlington in 2022 to address the growing North American aerospace and defense market. The Pittsylvania County facility will significantly expand Avio’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and support domestic production of critical defense-related components.
The project will initially bring several hundred jobs by 2028, with full workforce build-out in the years that follow. Average wages at the facility are projected to be significantly higher than the county average, creating meaningful opportunities for local workers.
Collaborative Economic Development and Workforce Impact
State and local leaders highlighted the importance of prepared industrial sites and workforce development efforts in landing the project. Pittsylvania County and the Commonwealth of Virginia offered a competitive incentive package, including grants and tax incentives, contingent on performance goals tied to job creation and investment.
Regional officials noted that this investment not only brings new jobs and capital to Southside Virginia but also revitalizes a former industrial site, strengthening the region’s manufacturing ecosystem.