Avio USA is building a solid rocket motor manufacturing plant at the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in Hurt, on the site of the former Burlington Industries (Klopman Mills) plant, which closed in 2007. Avio USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Avio S.p.A., an aerospace company based near Rome, Italy.
At a Glance
- What will be made: solid rocket motors for U.S. defense and tactical missile programs
- Investment: about $500 million
- Jobs: about 1,500 at full build-out, with an average wage of about $81,000. The plant is expected to open with a few hundred employees and add jobs over several years, reaching full staffing around 2035.
- Facilities: about 900,000 square feet in total
- Timeline: announced February 23, 2026; groundbreaking held September 29, 2026; construction expected to finish in late 2028, with production starting in early 2029
Jobs at Avio USA
Avio USA posts its job openings on its website, and applications go through its online job portal. You can also email hiring@aviousa.com.
The Town of Hurt's Role
The Town of Hurt is a member of the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA), a partnership of Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville and the Town of Hurt that develops industrial sites, mainly in the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park. Hurt Mayor Gary Hodnett chairs the RIFA. Under the RIFA's cost and revenue sharing agreement, Pittsylvania County's share is 61%, the City of Danville's is 35% and the Town of Hurt's is 4%. More about the Staunton River RIFA
Incentives
The Commonwealth of Virginia approved a grant of up to $97.7 million for the project, based on Avio's investment of more than $500 million. The RIFA localities offered a performance-based local incentive package worth more than $33.6 million. The incentives depend on Avio meeting minimum investment and job targets.
Official Announcements
- Governor Spanberger's announcement (February 23, 2026)
- Avio press release (February 23, 2026)
- Avio USA groundbreaking announcement (September 29, 2026)
- Avio USA website
In the News
- Cardinal News: Italian rocket manufacturer to bring 1,500 jobs, $500 million investment to Pittsylvania (February 23, 2026)
- Danville Region Economic Development: Hurt ready for liftoff (February 26, 2026)
- Cardinal News: Avio CEO at Hurt groundbreaking (September 30, 2026)
Last updated November 2026. Everything on this page comes from the public sources linked above.