RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 25, 2026 : Avio USA Inc., the American subsidiary of Avio S.p.A., will establish a new solid rocket motor manufacturing facility in Hurt, located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, expanding the company’s footprint in the United States and strengthening domestic propulsion manufacturing capacity.
The announcement follows Avio’s earlier confirmation on December 11, 2025, that it had selected Virginia as the destination state for the project. On February 23, 2026, the company formally identified the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt as the site of the new facility.
Facility Scope and Production Plans
The project involves the development of an approximately 860,000-square-foot manufacturing complex at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park. The site will repurpose property formerly occupied by a Burlington Industries textile mill, which closed in 2007.
The plant will focus exclusively on the production of solid rocket motors for defense applications, including tactical propulsion systems and missile platforms, as well as for the commercial space sector. Company officials said the investment is intended to address domestic supply chain constraints and position Avio USA as a vertically integrated merchant supplier within the U.S. defense industrial base.
In late 2025, Avio USA signed supply agreements with major U.S. defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, for the future delivery of solid rocket motors from the Virginia facility.
The total capital investment is expected to exceed $500 million. The project is projected to create more than 1,000 jobs in Pittsylvania County.
Incentive Structure and State Support
To secure the project, Virginia state and local authorities assembled a performance-based incentive package. Subject to approval by the Virginia General Assembly, Avio USA will be eligible for a special appropriation of up to $97.7 million through the Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Commission. The incentive is tied directly to the company’s capital investment levels and the fulfillment of the proposed job creation commitments.
In addition, local performance-based incentives exceeding $33.6 million have been approved by the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority and partner jurisdictions.
Workforce training assistance will be provided at no cost through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program. The initiative is designed to support recruitment and training as the facility ramps up operations.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership coordinated the project in collaboration with the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority, Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and the Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission.
Official Statements
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said the investment will support both regional economic development and national defense priorities.
“Avio USA’s historic investment in Pittsylvania County represents a major win for Southern Virginia, for the Commonwealth, and for our national security,” Spanberger said. “By investing more than $500 million in Pittsylvania County, Avio USA will create over 1,000 high-quality jobs and revitalize domestic production of critical defense technologies. Virginia is proud to support this project and the talented workforce that powers the Commonwealth’s resilient defense industrial base.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery said the project reflects the region’s manufacturing infrastructure and workforce capacity.
“Avio USA’s investment highlights why Virginia has remained a national leader for the advanced manufacturing and defense industries,” Chenery said. “Pittsylvania County’s prepared sites, skilled workforce, and strong regional partnerships made a project of this scale possible. Together, Avio USA, Pittsylvania County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia will continue to strengthen our nation’s defense industries.”
VADM (Ret.) James Syring, Chief Executive Officer of Avio USA, said the company’s selection of Virginia followed extensive coordination with state and local partners.
“We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia and Pittsylvania County for their partnership in advancing this strategic investment, which expands Avio USA’s manufacturing footprint and directly supports the Department of War’s effort to significantly ramp missile production,” Syring said.
He added that the company’s propulsion background positions it to expand domestic production capacity. “With more than a century of propulsion leadership, Avio’s proven capabilities, industrial expertise, and enduring legacy uniquely position us to strengthen and scale the U.S. defense industrial base. I am confident that we have made the right choice with our selection of the Commonwealth and Pittsylvania County for our factory location given the complete local, regional, and state support we’ve received, including a business-friendly climate, a best-in-class Virginia Talent Accelerator offering, and competitive custom investment incentives. We are proud to support our U.S. government and defense customers by accelerating solid rocket motor production at the speed and capacity required to meet today’s national security priorities.”
Company Background
Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Colleferro, near Rome, Italy, Avio S.p.A. specializes in the design, development, and production of space launch systems and propulsion components. The company operates in Italy, France, the United States, and French Guiana.
Avio USA Inc. was established in Arlington, Virginia, in 2022 to address demand in the North American market. The new facility in Hurt represents the company’s most significant U.S. manufacturing expansion to date.
The project remains performance-based, with state and local incentives contingent on Avio USA meeting specified capital investment and employment milestones as construction and operations progress.
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