JetZero has identified a potential source for nearly two-thirds of the money it needs to build a planned $4.7 billion aircraft manufacturing campus in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The US Export-Import Bank has signed a letter of interest to explore providing as much as $3 billion in financing support for the factory, where JetZero plans to produce its Z4 blended-wing aircraft.
The preliminary agreement could support construction of manufacturing facilities, production systems, equipment and other eligible project costs through the bank’s Make More in America Initiative.
The letter does not constitute a financing commitment, approval of a loan or an obligation of federal money. Any final agreement would remain subject to underwriting, due diligence, environmental and legal reviews and approval by the EXIM Bank’s board.
JetZero and EXIM signed the letter during the Farnborough International Airshow in late July 2026.
“This Letter of Interest marks an important step toward building the most advanced aerospace manufacturing campus in the country and bringing tens of thousands of high-quality jobs to North Carolina,” JetZero CEO and co-founder Tom O’Leary said.
The company broke ground on the Greensboro campus on June 15, 2026, one year after selecting a site at Piedmont Triad International Airport.
JetZero plans to construct an 8 million-square-foot manufacturing and final assembly complex on more than 600 acres. The company expects to invest more than $4.7 billion and create about 14,500 direct jobs over the next decade.
North Carolina has approved a package of performance-based incentives and infrastructure support for the project. State incentive payments depend on JetZero meeting employment and investment targets.
The potential EXIM financing would come from loan guarantees and insurance intended to support US manufacturing projects that create jobs and increase export capacity.
JetZero said the letter builds on previous work with EXIM related to financing production tooling.
JetZero’s announced airline customers and partners include United Airlines, which has a conditional agreement for 100 Z4 aircraft plus 100 options; Alaska Airlines, which invested in the company and secured undisclosed purchase options; and Gulf Air, which signed a letter of intent for an undisclosed number of aircraft. Japan Airlines is also helping shape the Z4’s operational and cabin requirements, but has not announced an order.
JetZero’s blended-wing design merges the aircraft’s main body and wings into a single lifting surface, rather than using the conventional tube-and-wing configuration found on current commercial aircraft.
JetZero is targeting the middle of the commercial aircraft market with a passenger version designed to carry about 250 people over distances of up to 5,000 nautical miles.
The company says the aircraft could use up to 50% less fuel than current commercial jets. That figure remains a design target and has not yet been demonstrated by a full-scale flying aircraft.
JetZero is also developing potential military versions of the design, including tanker and transport aircraft.
The company is building its Jet1 full-scale demonstrator with Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, with support from the US Air Force. JetZero expects the aircraft to make its first flight in 2027.