GE Aviation was located on an existing site in Buncombe County, but had outgrown their space. Working in conjunction with Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the State of North Carolina, Lewis Real Estate found an adjacent property that was being underutilized by the current occupant that would fit GE Aviation’s growing manufacturing business. The stakeholders found a new location for the current occupant, and built a new facility for that company, allowing GE Aviation to build its new factory and remain in Buncombe County.

According to a press release that accompanied the groundbreaking in November of 2013, the new factory will be a unique composites facility for the jet propulsion industry, represents $125M GE investment in Asheville, NC, and will employ 340 at full capacity.