Hartzell Propeller's New Center Spurs Ohio's Aviation Future

PIQUA, OH – February 20, 2026 – Hartzell Propeller, a cornerstone of aviation manufacturing for over a century, today unveiled its new Innovation Center, a sprawling facility poised to drive the next generation of flight technology. The grand opening was bolstered by a $2 million grant from JobsOhio, the state's private economic development corporation, underscoring a powerful public-private partnership aimed at cementing Ohio's leadership in the global aerospace and burgeoning Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) markets.

A Legacy Reimagined for the Future of Flight

The story of Hartzell Propeller is deeply intertwined with the history of aviation itself. Founded in 1917 after Orville Wright suggested that Robert Hartzell pivot his family's walnut woodworking business to craft propellers, the company has remained a fixture in Piqua, Ohio. Now, more than a century later, this legacy is being propelled into the future. The new Hartzell Propeller Innovation Center, located at 1900 Covington Avenue, represents the company's most significant evolution yet.

This purpose-built facility is designed to be the nexus of the company's forward-looking operations. It will consolidate all of Hartzell's advanced carbon fiber propeller manufacturing, the production of WhirlWind experimental and airboat propellers, and the factory’s Piqua-based Hartzell Service Center. Research shows the global aircraft propeller market is projected to grow substantially, reaching nearly $800 million by 2034, driven by demand for more efficient, quieter, and lighter systems—precisely the technologies this center is built to pioneer.

“The grand opening of the Hartzell Propeller Innovation Center represents a major step forward for Hartzell Propeller,” said JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell Propeller. “Purpose-built to support the next chapter of advanced propeller innovation, this facility more than quadruples our carbon fiber production footprint and reinforces our ‘Built on Honor’ commitment to quality, performance, and support.”

Powering Innovation Through Strategic Partnership

The $2 million in funding comes from the JobsOhio Research & Development Center Grant Program, a state initiative designed to foster strategic corporate R&D centers that align with Ohio's key industries. To secure the grant, Hartzell demonstrated its pivotal role at the intersection of Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace & Aviation—two sectors central to Ohio's economic strategy.

While the state's grant provides a critical catalyst, it leverages a much larger private investment. Hartzell has already poured $30 million into the new facility and its equipment, with a commitment to invest over $10 million more in the next five years. This substantial financial commitment, which far exceeds the grant program's $3 million minimum investment requirement, signals the company's deep-rooted confidence in its Ohio operations and its future market position.

This synergy between public support and private enterprise is a cornerstone of the state's development strategy. “Hartzell Propeller has been a cornerstone of Ohio’s aerospace since the Wright Brothers were developing aircraft here, and the company continues to evolve,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The newest investment establishing Hartzell’s Innovation Center demonstrates how legacy suppliers are leading the charge in next-generation aviation and supporting Ohio's position as a leader in aerospace innovation and advanced air mobility.”

In return for the state's support, Hartzell commits to creating new high-tech jobs in Piqua, adding to its current workforce of over 350, and retaining its advanced operations within Ohio.

The Epicenter of Advanced Propeller Technology

The new Innovation Center adds more than 150,000 square feet to Hartzell's existing Piqua campus, creating a centralized hub for its most advanced work. The decision to quadruple its carbon fiber production capacity is a direct response to a major industry shift. Composite materials are increasingly favored over traditional aluminum for their superior strength-to-weight ratio, which translates to better fuel efficiency, reduced vibration, and lower noise levels—critical metrics for both conventional aircraft and the quiet-running electric vehicles of the future.

This expansion allows Hartzell to vertically integrate its most sophisticated manufacturing processes, from raw material to finished product, ensuring stringent quality control. It also houses the company's core research and development team, placing them side-by-side with production and service operations to accelerate the cycle from initial concept to certified, market-ready solutions.

“Hartzell Propeller’s decision to build its Innovation Center in Piqua is critical to driving progress in the aerospace industry, showing the world Ohio’s vision to lead in this sector,” stated JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. He noted that the investment builds on a regional legacy of innovation and is part of a broader state strategy that has seen over $1.2 billion invested in advanced aerospace manufacturing and infrastructure over the last five years.

Charting the Course for Advanced Air Mobility

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the new center is its focus on the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market—the rapidly emerging industry of electric and hybrid aircraft designed for urban and regional transport. Hartzell has already established itself as a key enabler in this space through a landmark collaboration with BETA Technologies.

In July 2025, the partnership yielded the first-ever FAA Part 35 Type Certification for a propeller designed specifically for an electric aircraft. The five-bladed, lightweight carbon fiber propeller was developed and tested extensively on BETA's electric propulsion systems for its ALIA aircraft. This certification was not just a win for the two companies; it was a watershed moment for the entire AAM industry, providing a certified, off-the-shelf propulsion solution for a new class of vehicles.

The Innovation Center will be the engine for future collaborations like this one. “Combined with the support of JobsOhio, the Innovation Center also enables critical research and development for emerging markets such as Advanced Air Mobility, including our collaboration with Beta Technologies,” Frigge explained. “Together, this investment accelerates our ability to transform ideas into certified, real-world solutions that advance aviation today and well into the future.”

Hartzell’s investment aligns perfectly with Ohio's ambitious plan to become a global AAM leader. The state has released the nation's first AAM framework and is actively cultivating an ecosystem that includes research institutions like NASA Glenn, military assets like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and a growing cluster of AAM companies, including Joby Aviation, which is building a major manufacturing facility in Dayton. By positioning itself as a critical supplier within this ecosystem, Hartzell is not only securing its own future but also strengthening Ohio’s claim as the heart of modern aviation.

This strategic investment ensures Hartzell can compete effectively against other major propeller manufacturers like McCauley Propeller Systems, also founded in Ohio, and international players. By doubling down on R&D and advanced materials, the company is making a clear statement about its intent to lead the industry through its second century, driving innovation from its historic home in Piqua.