If you drive past the GE Aerospace campus on Norton Center Drive, you may not see the hundreds of engine components moving through the building each day. You may not hear the three shifts of skilled employees working around the clock. Yet inside those walls, Norton Shores plays a vital role in building and supporting the engines that keep aircraft flying around the world. It is work that has quietly made the community part of an international aerospace network.
Now, that role is getting even bigger.
GE Aerospace recently announced a planned $70 million expansion of its Norton Shores and Muskegon operations, a project made possible in part by Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption (IFT) certificates approved by the City of Norton Shores. These certificates reduce taxes on new industrial investment for a period, helping companies modernize and grow while increasing long-term value for the community. For GE Aerospace, the incentive strengthened the business case for expanding here rather than at another GE Aerospace location.
“It is a very exciting time here,” said Plant Leader Ryan James. “This expansion reflects the importance of the work our team does every day and the confidence GE Aerospace has in this site.”
What Happens Behind the Doors on Norton Center Drive
One of the most important products built here is the high-pressure turbine nozzle for the LEAP engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX. Both aircraft platforms are among the most widely used single-aisle jets in the world, and demand continues to grow as airlines modernize their fleets.
“We make components that go into almost all of our engines,” James explained. “Our work helps ensure GE Aerospace can assemble and support its engines around the world. The volume we produce for the LEAP engine in particular has become a very important part of our operation.”
A $70 Million Investment in Capacity and Innovation
The expansion will add roughly 16,000 square feet of new production space, creating room for additional equipment, improved workflows, and increased capacity to meet rising customer demand.
“We are investing in this site because of its strategic role in our supply chain,” James said. “The new space opens opportunities to expand capabilities and continue improving how we work.”
Along with manufacturing upgrades, GE Aerospace is adding a second-floor venue that can seat approximately 275 people. With nearly 900 employees in Norton Shores and Muskegon, the company now has a dedicated space for business updates, recognition events, and celebrations that once required off-site locations. The additional space opens the door to hosting GE Aerospace events and training programs that were formerly limited by capacity.
How the City’s IFT Incentive Helps Keep GE Aerospace Competitive
The City of Norton Shores’ approval of Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption certificates played a key role in making the expansion possible. The IFT program is used across Michigan to support industrial investment, job creation, and long-term community growth.
For GE Aerospace, the incentive helped ensure Norton Shores remained competitive during internal decisions about where to place new manufacturing programs.
“GE Aerospace can place new work in many locations across the United States and internationally,” said Human Resources Leader Curtis Evans. “Anything the city can do to make us more competitive influences where GE Aerospace directs investment. The partnership with Norton Shores helps us secure new programs, protect existing jobs, and continue growing here.”
Precision Manufacturing That Influences Engines Worldwide
Aerospace manufacturing requires accuracy at levels difficult to imagine in day-to-day life. Some components made in Norton Shores must meet tolerances of plus or minus two thousandths of an inch. That precision is essential for maintaining the fuel efficiency and performance that aircraft operators expect.
“For our engines to deliver the results we promise, our parts have to match exact specifications,” Evans said. “That is why training, equipment, and process control are so important. The work done here directly influences how these engines perform.”
Innovation is also central to the facility’s future. James highlighted the culture inside the building as one of constant improvement. “For years, our team has challenged the way we do things. They take on tough problems and refine processes in ways that improve safety and quality. There is so much opportunity ahead.”
Jobs, Workforce Development, and Community Impact
The expansion is expected to create approximately one hundred new jobs while strengthening job security for current employees. GE Aerospace employs nearly two thousand people across Michigan, and the Norton Shores facility remains a major contributor to the state’s advanced manufacturing workforce.
Beyond job growth, the expansion increases the long-term taxable value of the facility, strengthening public services and reinforcing the City’s industrial base.
“This is a significant win for the community,” Evans said. “More jobs, more investment, and a stronger long-term presence here in Norton Shores.”
GE Aerospace also maintains strong working relationships with the City of Norton Shores and the City of Muskegon. These municipalities collaborate to support workforce needs, infrastructure, and economic development.
Looking Ahead
As GE Aerospace continues its national investment strategy, Norton Shores has emerged as one of the company’s priority sites. Being selected for a $70 million capital project underscores the facility’s strategic importance and GE Aerospace’s confidence in its local workforce.
When asked what excites him most about the future, James pointed to the team’s drive for improvement.
“Our people are not afraid to take on challenges,” he said. “They work hard, improve every day, and continue finding new ways to strengthen our processes. That is what makes me confident about where we are headed.”
For residents, the expansion represents more than new equipment or added space. It reflects a deepening partnership between the city and one of the region’s largest employers, a long-term commitment to local jobs, and continued pride in the advanced manufacturing work that helps define Norton Shores.
