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At the end of June, Cirrus Aircraft (Duluth, Minn., U.S.) announced the expansion of its Grand Forks manufacturing facility. The aerospace company will invest $13 million to add 30,000 square feet to the current 165,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The expansion will support Cirrus’ manufacture of its best-selling single-engine piston aircraft, the SR Series, and the best-selling jet, the Vision Jet, with additional equipment, storage, technical tools, as well as new jobs expected to be added over the next 5 years.   

“We have worked closely with the Grand Forks legislature and community,” says Zean Nielsen, CEO of Cirrus. “Cirrus is deeply committed to safety, innovation, quality and contributing to the long-term economic vitality of the region.” 

Cirrus opened its composite production facility in Grand Forks in 1994 and launched its general aviation composite piston aircraft, the SR20, shortly after. The first SR20 was delivered in 1999. The following year, Cirrus received an FAA type certificate for the SR22 composite piston aircraft with a larger wing, increased fuel capacity and more powerful engine. That airplane became what is said to be the world’s best-selling general aviation airplane in 2022 and has held that distinction since. In November 2024, Cirrus delivered its 10,000th SR Series aircraft. The company also produces the composites-intensive Vision Jet, first certified in 2016.

The SR Series and Vision Jet are embedded with advanced systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) and Safe Return Emergency Autoland as standard equipment. The company offers a total safety solution from Cirrus Approach Flight Training to its worldwide Authorized Network of Flight Training and Service Centers. To date, Cirrus has delivered more than 11,000 aircraft, and the total fleet has surpassed 18 million flight hours. 

The Cirrus Grand Forks expansion is expected to be completed in Q2 2026.