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GE Aviation To Upgrade Auburn Plant

Bentley said in a statement Tuesday that it will make the Auburn plant the first of its kind to mass produce additive components for the jet propulsion industry.

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says GE Aviation plans to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities in Auburn.

Bentley said in a statement Tuesday that it will make the Auburn plant the first of its kind to mass produce additive components for the jet propulsion industry.

The governor said GE will invest $50 million in the existing 300,000-square-foot facility to prepare for the additional work.

Bentley said production of additive components will begin in 2015.

The governor said the plant will also continue to manufacture precision, super-alloy machined parts for jet engines.

GE has hired more than 70 people at the Auburn facility since it opened in April 2013.

Bentley said that based on current demand for jet engines, GE expects to hire 300 people when the plant is fully operational later this decade.

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