Cirrus Aircraft marked the official opening of its expanded Grand Forks manufacturing facility on August 14, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the multi-million-dollar investment. The expansion adds more than 30,000 square feet of production space to the company’s composite manufacturing operations. The milestone event reflects a partnership between Cirrus and the Grand Forks region that spans decades.
Representatives of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC), including President & CEO Keith Lund, Director of Economic Development Becca Cruger-Schill, Business Development Manager Howard Brockhouse, and Marketing and Communications Manager Mark Maliskey, joined Cirrus leadership, city and state officials, and community partners for the ceremony.
Home to approximately 500 employees, the Grand Forks facility plays a central role in Cirrus’ manufacturing network, producing advanced composite parts for the company’s SR Series piston aircraft and Vision Jet. Most recently, the facility began production for advanced composite parts for the new TRAC10 flight training aircraft, which will now be built in Grand Forks. Roughly 80 percent of the facility’s workforce is dedicated to direct manufacturing operations.
“Cirrus’ decision to keep growing right here in Grand Forks is proof that our region’s investment in this partnership over the years continues to pay off,” said Keith Lund. “Every square foot they add is a vote of confidence in this workforce and this community.”
The facility expansion was built to streamline the movement of composite parts through the manufacturing process, improving efficiency and enabling greater automation as Cirrus works to meet growing aircraft demand.
“This expansion reflects our continued investment in our people, our products, and the Grand Forks community,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer at Cirrus, in a company release. Nielsen pointed to the company’s partnerships with the City of Grand Forks, the State of North Dakota, the Bank of North Dakota and the University of North Dakota as reasons the company keeps choosing to invest in the region.
“Grand Forks has played an essential role in Cirrus’ growth and manufacturing strategy for decades,” said Pat Waddick, President of Innovation and Operations at Cirrus, in a company release. “Our success starts with our people and our supportive community.”
The expansion is another key project in a track record the EDC team has worked for years to build. “Economic development isn’t simply transactional. It’s about long-term partnerships and relationships that lead to sustained long-term growth and success,” Lund said. “This is more than a 30,000 sq ft expansion; this is a 30-year relationship and reciprocal investment that creates value for Grand Forks and Cirrus. This is exactly the kind of long-term investment we work to earn. Not a one-time win, but a company that keeps choosing to grow here. We’re proud to have Cirrus as a cornerstone of this region’s advanced manufacturing sector for decades to come.”
