Unmanned Aerial Systems Manufacturer Relocates to Cumberland County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2026
Contact: Brittany Odom
Phone: 910-500-6403
Email: Brittany@fcedc.com
Unmanned Aerial Systems Manufacturer Relocates to Cumberland County
Investing $3.4 Million and Creating 162 Jobs
FAYETTEVILLE, NC — The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is pleased to announce that Skyeton, previously known as Project Odesa, has selected Fayetteville and Cumberland County as the location for its U.S. headquarters and first manufacturing facility in North America. The project will create 162 jobs with an average annual salary of $70,759 and invest $3.4 million in real estate and equipment.
Skyeton currently has production operations in Ukraine, Germany, and Slovakia. Its new Fayetteville facility will support the development and manufacturing of advanced technologies designed to enhance the capabilities of military personnel, allied partners, and first responders. The company will occupy a 28,479-square-foot building within the former Black & Decker site.
“We are thrilled to welcome Project Odesa to Fayetteville and Cumberland County as it establishes its first U.S. manufacturing facility here,” stated City of Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. “With the city’s concentration on defense, technology, and healthcare, this is exactly the kind of investment we are working to attract, bringing 162 jobs at an average salary of nearly $71,000 while breathing new life into the former Black & Decker site. My thanks to the State, our community college partners, and the FCEDC for helping bring it home.”
“Cumberland County is becoming a place where innovation, workforce and opportunity come together, and Project Odesa represents the type of investment we are working to attract,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “Companies that create quality jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing sector and provide long-term opportunities for our residents are exactly the kinds of businesses we want to recruit. Investments like this continue to build our economic momentum and strengthen our community for the future. We are excited to welcome Project Odesa and look forward to supporting its success.”
The City and the County both approved job creation incentive grants for a total of $243,000, to be paid in three installments as employment occurs.
“North Carolina is the perfect place to call home, and we’re incredibly grateful for the warm reception and tremendous support we’ve received from the State of North Carolina, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, our congressional delegation, and our mission partners from the Department of War,” said Skyeton, Inc. CEO Rigoberto (Quito) Sáez. “Expanding our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina is about more than opening a new facility; it’s about strengthening America’s defense industrial base, creating high-quality jobs, and delivering combat-proven capabilities closer to the warfighters.”
“Fayetteville and Cumberland County are quickly becoming a hub for strategic technologies and advanced manufacturing,” said FCEDC President and CEO Robert Van Geons. “Skyeton’s investment is another example of the innovation ecosystem our uniquely skilled workforce and collaborative partnerships have created.”
The company has also received an inducement package from the State of North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Community College System.
In a release today announcing the project, Governor Josh Stein said, “We’re proud to welcome Skyeton to a state with such a proud military tradition and advanced manufacturing base. By combining our manufacturing workforce, the skillsets of our transitioning military personnel, a central East Coast location, and a strategic transportation infrastructure, North Carolina continues to rise to the top ranks as the best place to do business, especially in the aerospace and defense sectors.”
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ABOUT SKYETON: is a Ukrainian-born manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. The company develops and supplies unmanned aerial systems for commercial, industrial and military use, which are used both in Ukraine and worldwide. The company’s history began with the production of ultralight aircraft, the K-10 Swift, laying the foundation for a high standard of aviation manufacturing. Learn more at www.skyeton.com.
ABOUT FCEDC: The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership designed to enhance job growth and prosperity in the region by attracting new industry and growing and retaining existing industry. The FCEDC works daily to help strengthen our economy and diversify our community’s tax base. Learn more at www.fcedc.com.
ABOUT CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Cumberland County is the fifth largest county in North Carolina with a population estimate of 342,082. The County functions under a Board of Commissioners-County Manager form of government. There are nine municipalities within Cumberland County to include the City of Fayetteville. Cumberland County serves citizens with PRIDE (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity with Accountability, Diversity and Excellent Customer Service). To learn more about Cumberland County visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov.
ABOUT CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE: The City of Fayetteville is a dynamic, culturally-rich community committed to high performance, transparency and innovation. Directly adjacent to Fort Bragg, Fayetteville is home to more than 208,000 residents. The mission of the City is to provide sustainable, high-quality public services for our communities to thrive and businesses to grow. With creative energy, vibrant history and compassionate people, Fayetteville always finds a way. That’s why we are America’s Can Do City. To learn more about the City of Fayetteville and City departments or services, please visit fayettevillenc.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.