HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Tuesday that AeroNimble, a Harrisonburg-based startup specializing in PT6 aircraft engine overhauls and blade component manufacturing, will invest more than $2.5 million to expand its operations and create 51 new jobs in Virginia.

The expansion is expected to strengthen the Shenandoah Valley’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors while creating new career opportunities for local residents.

In preparation for the launch, AeroNimble partnered with Blue Ridge Community College to establish salary benchmarks and hiring guidelines that will allow graduates to begin entry-level positions immediately after completing their studies. Starting salaries for those jobs will begin at $62,000, with company officials saying BRCC is expected to become AeroNimble’s largest source of new talent.

“As a global hub for aerospace innovation, Virginia is thrilled to support AeroNimble’s continued expansion in the Commonwealth,” Spanberger said in a statement. She praised the company’s workforce partnership with BRCC, saying it will help ensure many of the new positions are filled by Virginians in the Shenandoah Valley.

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery said the project highlights how workforce partnerships and economic development efforts can strengthen regional economies.

AeroNimble Chief Human Resources Officer Eric Terry said state startup tax credits and economic development incentives were key factors in the company’s decision to establish and expand in Harrisonburg.

“These incentives allow us to invest more deeply in people, training, and long-term capabilities while accelerating high-quality job creation in the Shenandoah Valley,” Terry said.

PT6 engine overhauls are major maintenance procedures required every 3,000 to 5,000 flight hours to restore engine performance. The process involves complete disassembly, inspection, repair and reassembly of the engine. By producing blade components in-house, AeroNimble expects to shorten turnaround times for customers and reduce aircraft downtime.

Regional and local leaders welcomed the announcement, calling it a boost for the Valley economy.

Jay A. Langston, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, said aviation-related companies have long been a target industry for the region because of the demand for skilled workers, high-value products and logistical ties to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.

Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed said the city is excited to welcome AeroNimble and noted that aircraft engine maintenance offers high-paying skilled jobs that fit well with the local economy.

State lawmakers Mark Obenshain and Tony Wilt also praised the investment, saying it reinforces the Shenandoah Valley’s role in aviation and advanced manufacturing.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. AeroNimble will also receive support through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which helps companies with recruitment and workforce training for newly created jobs.