New West Valley facility strengthens advanced manufacturing and defense supply chain
WEST VALLEY CITY, UT ( April 15, 2026) — Karman Space & Defense is expanding its footprint in Salt Lake County with plans to develop a new advanced manufacturing facility in West Valley City. The project represents a $28.5 million investment and is expected to create 100 high-paying jobs over the next two decades.
The expansion will support increased production of unmanned aerial system (UAS) launcher and nozzle components—critical technologies used in space and defense applications. By establishing a new manufacturing hub in the Salt Lake region, Karman aims to scale production capacity while positioning operations closer to key customers, suppliers, and a growing aerospace workforce.
State officials approved a post-performance tax incentive through Utah’s Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (EDTIF) program, reinforcing the state’s strategy to attract high-impact projects in advanced manufacturing and defense. The performance-based incentive is tied to long-term job creation, capital investment, and new state tax revenue generation.
Industry leaders note that Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem continues to gain momentum, driven by strong infrastructure, talent availability, and proximity to key partners. Karman’s expansion is expected to further strengthen the regional supply chain, where many of the company’s suppliers and customers are already located.
The new facility will focus on next-generation systems, including propulsion technologies, payload protection, and aerodynamic structures—areas critical to both national defense and the rapidly evolving commercial space sector.
Economic development partners, including the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and EDCUtah, supported the project alongside local leadership in West Valley City.
With its combination of incentives, workforce, and strategic location along the Wasatch Front, Utah continues to attract aerospace and defense manufacturers seeking long-term growth and scalability. Karman’s investment further positions the region as a key hub for advanced manufacturing and national security-related industries.
