BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Aurora Flight Sciences cut the ribbon on an expansion for its fabrication workshop Wednesday morning in Bridgeport, a crucial step in the business’ plans to expand operations and employment opportunities.

Although still attached to its main facility, Aurora officials described the expansion as almost an “entirely new building” as it adds nearly 50,000 square feet. The new space will house more “clean room” space, machinery and production equipment and more freezer space; some materials used at Aurora must be kept at temperatures as low as negative 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aurora Flight Sciences in Bridgeport also said it is looking to increase its workforce by about 50% over the next five years, which equates to about 100 more jobs for the area.

Senior Operations Manager Scott Jones said the expansion is driven primarily by the Sikorsky 53K helicopter program, but that the facility also makes a variety of composite carbon fiber parts used in autonomous aircraft.

“This is the hub of West Virginia as far as aerospace is concerned,” Jones said. “It’s very exciting and if you’re looking for a good [work] opportunity please check out our website.”

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito and West Virginia Governor Jim Justice were both in attendance.

[Aurora Flight Science’s] contribution to this nation is off the chart, that’s all there is to it. Whether it be for aircraft or aerospace or unmanned vehicles… it is just mind boggling the talent. But the reality is just this — they have expanded, and exanded, and expanded right here in our backyard.

W.VA. GOV. JIM JUSTICE

The best manufacturing for the highest quality, highest technological aviation and aerospace industry in this country is occurring right here in Bridgeport. And so I think that’s an exciting part of what we see today.

W.VA. SENATOR SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

Aurora Flight Sciences is an aviation and aerospace company with facilities in West Virginia, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Virginia and Switzerland, where they design and produce aircraft and aircraft components. In January, the company announced it would be designing a new experimental aircraft for the U.S. Government that uses controlled air flow to maneuver instead of traditional plane flaps.