Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance (GKAM) is investing in its aircraft maintenance operations in the Mississippi Delta.
The aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company looks to create 31 new jobs with an $11.75 million corporate investment.
GKAM also specializes in avionics/structure modifications, manufacturing, inspection, and kitting for military and civilian aircraft. Since 2022, the company has leased a hangar at Mid Delta Regional Airport, where it previously committed to creating 250 jobs.
With this newest investment, GKAM plans to retrofit two existing aircraft hangars to be used for aircraft painting, paint striping, hazmat capture, and hazmat storage and containment. The 31 new jobs will bring the total number of jobs committed to by GKAM to 281.
Additionally, the new capabilities will make GKAM one of the largest aircraft depots in the U.S. and the largest veteran-owned small business in the U.S.
“This expansion marks the start of an exciting chapter in Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance history. Adding the strip and paint to our modification and maintenance capability will establish GKAM as one of the largest maintenance and depot facilities in the southeast,” GKAM President and CEO Ronnie Kearns said. “Having the capacity to work up to six C-130 aircraft under roof simultaneously and now adding strip and paint to our capabilities make us a true competitor in the DoD aircraft maintenance space.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive program. AccelerateMS, and Washington County also are assisting with the project.
“Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance has been part of the Delta’s economic landscape for more than a decade, and I am grateful this veteran-owned company is once again investing in its operations and in our state,” Governor Tate Reeves said. “By creating these 31 additional jobs, GKAM will employ nearly 300 workers at its Greenville location – an impressive figure that stands as a testament to the productivity of Washington County’s workforce and the fact that Mississippi is a great place to start and grow a successful business.”
GKAM expects to complete the expansion by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Soon after, the company plans to fill the 31 new jobs.
