GREENSBORO, N.C. — Excitement about a business boom is spreading across Greensboro. Hundreds gathered Wednesday to celebrate growth at the 'Annual Greensboro Chamber of Commerce State of Our Community Luncheon,' the hot topic was Boom Supersonic.
The event celebrates big business throughout 2024. Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic was the keynote speaker. Busting myths about supersonic flights was the theme of Wednesday's presentation.
As most know, Boom's Overture Superfactory has been built right outside of Piedmont Triad International Airport.
During Scholl's speech, he showed a video of the XB-1 which is a prototype. Scholl said it is history's first independently developed supersonic jet. XB-1 was flown for the first time in March then again earlier this week. When testing is complete, it will be built in Greensboro.
"Went great, we learned a couple of things. We took the airplane; it was back in the air earlier this week and we confirmed that everything that we found on flight one we've now fixed. So, we're picking up the pace and we are now moving forward towards proving we can break the sound barrier on the XB-1 target by the end of the year and then that just proves that not only do we have all the technology for the supersonic flight, but Boom knows how to put it together into an airplane that's safe for people to fly
Scholl said United, America, and Japan airlines have all placed pre-orders for the Overture airliner. He explained they have already pre-sold the first five years of production in Greensboro.
The city said the superfactory has been a massive win for the community, it is set to bring in 1,750 jobs by 2030 and expand to 2,400 jobs by 2032.
"Everybody always wants to know what's next right? What's the next company that is coming to Greensboro? What is the next company that's expanding in Greensboro? Guilford County and really the Piedmont Triad region is really hot right now, not just in North Carolina, but really in circles and around the world. So, there are a lot of eyes on us right now, so we want to take advantage of that momentum and create even more jobs for the future," said Greensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Brent Christensen.
Scholl said the first Overture is set to roll out in 2028 and ready for passengers by 2029. This is just one of many businesses soaring in Greensboro right now.