Carolina GSE to Expand Workforce, Facility with Building Reuse Grant Award

Carolina GSE, a global provider of aviation ground support equipment, avionics solutions and repair services, is pleased to announce its plans to expand both its skilled workforce, and its shipping and distribution center, in New Bern, North Carolina. This project received support from the North Carolina Department of Commerce Building Reuse Program.

Receiving one of 17 grants awarded under the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Building Reuse Program – specifically within the Existing Business Building Category – Carolina GSE will increase its shipping and distribution center from 20,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet. This expansion will create additional physical space for maintenance and shipping of aviation equipment, increase its inventory and storage capacity, and create space needed to install powder coat and blasting booth equipment. New Bern-based Tarheel Building Systems has been selected to design and build the expanded facility.

As a part of its expansion project, Carolina GSE has committed to create 28 new skilled employment opportunities for its expanded facility to support its global customer base. Carolina GSE will be seeking skilled service technicians, inventory and shipping personnel, field service technicians, information technology personnel, and powder coat technicians once the facility expansion is complete.

“This is a milestone moment in Carolina GSE’s 20-year history of supporting the aviation industry,” said John Werner, Carolina GSE president. “I am thrilled that this project will impact our customers worldwide while simultaneously supporting our local workforce in Craven County. I would like to thank the North Carolina Department of Commerce Building Reuse Program, Craven County, Craven 100 Alliance, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and the dedicated Carolina GSE team for helping make this expansion project a reality.”

Both Craven County’s Economic Development department and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina partnered with Carolina GSE to develop this project and will continue to work with them throughout the expansion.

“Carolina GSE has been a fantastic partner and addition to the Craven County Industrial Park,” said Jeff Wood, Economic Development Director for Craven County. “We at Craven County and the Craven 100 Alliance are excited to see them grow and be such a successful company.”

“It’s been rewarding to partner with Carolina Ground Service Equipment and Craven County on this expansion in New Bern,” said James Wolfe, Existing Industry Expansions Manager for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s Southeast Region. “The building reuse grant they have been awarded through the North Carolina Department of Commerce will help create 28 new jobs in Eastern North Carolina. It is also exciting to see the continued growth of the aviation sector in the region. I look forward to continuing working with Carolina GSE to support them in the future.”

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA), supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s team of rural economic development professionals, awarded a total of 21 grants to local governments totaling $5,916,198. The awarded grant projects include commitments to create a total of 1,200 jobs. It is estimated that the public investment in these grant projects will attract more than $546 million in private investment. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements. More information about the North Carolina Department of Commerce and its grants programs can be found at www.nccommerce.com.

Carolina GSE’s construction activities are expected to begin Fall 2021. For more information, please visit www.carolinagse.com or www.pilotjohn.com.