Building the Future of Aerospace in Metro Atlanta

When Katrina Singletary, a former staff member and part of the economic development team in the Roswell Mayor’s Office, was tasked with leading international relations and recruitment, she and her team uncovered what they called “the opportunity of a lifetime.” Katrina explains: “Focusing on relationship building, we were invited on a trade mission trip to the Czech Republic, where we interacted locally with a Czech company that was going to be expanding into the U.S. market.”

The U.S. market represented an opportunity for PBS Aerospace, a company with more than 200 years of history in the Czech Republic and deep roots in defense manufacturing. Demand for their small, military-proven turbojet engines was surging, and they needed a U.S. base to deliver quickly. And they had no shortage of options. Cities across the country competed for the investment, but the company chose metro Atlanta’s Roswell, pointing to the region’s talent, innovative economic development, and strong community spirit.

A company’s site selection process can begin in a variety of ways. A traditional RFI (request for information) process is most common for a project of this scale –regions or communities submit their available sites, assets, and data to a company for consideration. But Roswell took a different approach, an unusual effort fully supported by Mayor Kurt Wilson, who told the team, “Failure is okay, but the key is to try.”

When Katrina and the team went to Prague, they spent 4 hours pitching to PBS Aerospace. They presented metro Atlanta’s strong tech workforce, the quality of life in Roswell, Georgia’s robust aerospace ecosystem, and site options. “I see this economic development strategy as transformational and intentional,” says Mayor Wilson. “Our job is to install trust in our people, in our businesses, and show that government at the local level can work at the speed of business. Let’s be entrepreneurial, let’s be innovative, let’s be adaptive, and let’s be responsive.”

The city offered a “White Glove Program,” an unheard-of three-day turnaround on permits, with an internal goal of 24 hours. “That cut their costs down significantly,” Singletary added, “and we made it happen. That personal, authentic approach made all the difference.”

The strategy paid off.

PBS Aerospace officially chose Roswell on February 4, just weeks after that initial pitch. In April, they moved in. By May, they were testing their first engine at Georgia Tech.

PBS CEO Erin Durham said the decision was about more than speed. “Roswell was chosen because of the community, the schools, and the world-class talent pipeline. Georgia Tech and other institutions provide highly talented engineers who help us grow and continue to produce jet engines.”

Metro Atlanta’s strong veteran talent pipeline was another deciding factor for PBS. Durham, a retired Air Force officer, recognized the value of military experience in the aerospace industry: “We’re very proud that 71% of our technicians are veterans. They bring safety, discipline, and deep knowledge to our company.”

This commitment is just as evident on the shop floor. Kenneth Mahone, an Atlanta native, Navy veteran, and technician at the Roswell facility, says, “Working at PBS feels like family. A lot of guys here are veterans, so it gives us camaraderie.” For him, the work is more than technical, it’s personal: “Everybody’s mission-driven.”

From leadership to assembly, PBS employees are energized by the mission. PBS Engineering Manager and Georgia Tech graduate Chris Beebe brings decades of aerospace engineering experience to the team. Based in metro Atlanta, Chris describes the region’s mix of technical opportunity and quality of life as a place where “high-level engineering careers and livable communities truly intersect.”

Beebe also highlighted the advantages for young engineers joining the team. “At a big aerospace company, you might design a single bolt. Here, engineers get to take on large design scopes and get exposure to all facets of the business.”

“PBS Aerospace was being recruited all over the United States. But once they got to Roswell, they knew this was the right place to plant their roots,” adds Mayor Wilson, who believes Roswell’s approach reflects a new model for local government. “We have the charm of a small town and the amenities of a city. When you come here, you won’t want to leave.”

This initial investment is just the beginning. Just six months after moving in, the company has already announced a 10,000-square-foot expansion, with plans for a 100,000-square-foot built-to-suit facility. The project will bring 200 high-quality jobs with a median salary of $150,000, along with a $20 million investment, to Roswell.

For Erin Durham, the mission is clear. “Our leadership team in Prague is thrilled with the city of Roswell and the statewide support we’ve seen to get this facility operational. I came here to build something with a real impact. The metro area gave us exactly what we needed – access to top-tier technicians, strong schools, and engineering talent ready to help us grow and innovate. We’re not just operational, we’re positioned for long-term success.”

For Roswell, PBS Aerospace isn’t just a remarkable success story; it’s a transformative learning experience. This model of economic development builds genuine relationships and intentionally seeks strategic industries like aerospace. Mayor Wilson continued, “We didn’t just want PBS today. We wanted them to know they’d be valued here 10, 20 years down the line. And we’re going to keep showing them that.”

CASE STUDY / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VERSION BELOW

Search Optimized newsroom/press release version: 

ROSWELL, GA — PBS Aerospace, a Czech-based manufacturer of small turbojet engines with over 200 years of industrial history, has selected Roswell, Georgia as the home of its U.S. headquarters and advanced manufacturing facility. Backed by a fast-growing defense and aerospace sector in Georgia, the company’s decision brings high-tech jobs, new investment, and long-term growth to the Metro Atlanta region. 

The project is expected to create 200 high-wage jobs with a median salary of $150,000, along with a $20 million investment and future plans for a 100,000-square-foot build-to-suit facility. 

“The decision was about more than speed,” said Erin Durham, CEO of PBS Aerospace. “Roswell was chosen because of the community, the schools, and the world-class talent pipeline. Georgia Tech and other institutions provide highly talented engineers who help us grow and continue to produce jet engines.” 

Relationship-Driven Economic Development Delivers Results 

The company’s U.S. expansion was supported by a targeted international recruitment effort led by Katrina Singletary, former staffer and economic development lead for the City of Roswell. As part of a trade mission to the Czech Republic, Singletary and city leadership pitched PBS Aerospace in person—highlighting Georgia’s strong aerospace infrastructure, skilled workforce, and responsive local government. 

“We were invited on a trade mission to the Czech Republic and met with PBS Aerospace during their U.S. expansion search,” Singletary said. “Roswell’s personal, authentic approach made all the difference.” 

Mayor Kurt Wilson championed the recruitment from the start, promoting a business-friendly philosophy that emphasizes speed and partnership. 

“Let’s be entrepreneurial, let’s be innovative, let’s be responsive,” said Mayor Wilson. “Roswell offers small-town charm with city-level capability. When PBS arrived, they knew this was where they wanted to grow.”

Speed-to-Market + Local Support 

The City of Roswell implemented a “White Glove” permitting program, delivering unprecedented turnaround times of three days or less for critical permits—cutting costs and accelerating project timelines. 

Just weeks after the in-person pitch in Prague, PBS officially selected Roswell on February 4. By April, they had moved into their new facility; by May, they were testing engines at Georgia Tech. 

While PBS Aerospace previously maintained a small corporate presence in Atlanta, the site selection process was competitive, with cities across the U.S. vying for the new facility. Roswell’s unmatched speed and quality of life ultimately sealed the deal. 

Veterans and Engineering Talent at the Core 

Veterans play a significant role in PBS Aerospace’s workforce strategy. A retired Air Force officer, CEO Erin Durham prioritized locations with strong access to military talent and advanced technical skills. 

“We’re proud that 71% of our technicians are veterans,” Durham said. “They bring discipline, safety, and deep expertise to our team.” 

Local technician Kenneth Mahone, a Navy veteran and Atlanta native, describes the work culture as collaborative and mission-driven: “Working at PBS feels like family. There’s camaraderie among veterans, and everyone’s focused on delivering excellence.” 

Chris Beebe, engineering manager and Georgia Tech graduate, also emphasized the opportunity for young engineers to work on end-to-end design. “At a larger company, you might design a single bolt. At PBS, engineers see the whole system.” 

Future Growth Already Underway 

PBS Aerospace has already announced its first expansion—a 10,000-square-foot addition to the current facility—and is actively planning its future headquarters in Roswell. The company’s growth validates Georgia’s broader momentum in the aerospace and defense industries, as well as Roswell’s reputation as a forward-thinking business destination. 

“We didn’t just want PBS today—we want them here for the next 20 years,” said Mayor Wilson. “This is how local government can work at the speed of business.” 

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