Supersonic Flight, Real Economic Growth, and the Leadership Greensboro Needs

By Nicky Smith
June 7, 2025

In the past week, our country—and our city—took a giant step forward.

President Trump announced a bold new executive order directing the FAA to remove outdated restrictions on supersonic flight. This includes lifting the ban on overland supersonic travel that has been in place since 1973. It’s a move that signals a dramatic shift in how the U.S. plans to compete globally in next-generation aviation—and it couldn’t come at a better time for Greensboro.

As many of you know, Boom Supersonic is already making significant investments at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI). Their 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is projected to bring more than 2,400 high-paying jobs to our area. Now, with the federal government clearing the runway for supersonic development, the timing could not be better for Greensboro to stake its claim as a leader in the aerospace industry.

But here’s the truth: This growth won’t happen automatically.

It takes local leadership that understands how to seize these opportunities—leadership that can work with both private industry and public agencies to ensure that our city is ready to grow responsibly and strategically.

As someone who’s lived in Greensboro since 1985 and built several successful businesses here, I know what it takes to create jobs, balance budgets, and make decisions that lead to results. I’m running for Greensboro City Council District 4 to bring that common-sense, experienced leadership back to City Hall.

Boom Supersonic is a game-changer—but it’s just the beginning. With the FAA’s new direction, we now have a chance to:

• Attract new aviation and technology companies that want to be part of this emerging industry.
• Invest in workforce development programs to prepare our citizens, especially young people, for careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
• Improve infrastructure near PTI so we’re not just housing innovation, but actively supporting it with smart, sustainable planning.

Let’s be clear: other cities will watch this announcement and scramble to compete. But we have a head start. Boom chose Greensboro because of our people, location, and potential.

Now it’s up to us to meet this moment—and I intend to lead the way.

If you believe Greensboro deserves thoughtful leadership that puts economic growth, good-paying jobs, and community prosperity at the top of the agenda, I invite you to join me. Let’s turn this federal action into a real, lasting impact for our city.

Because Greensboro isn’t just ready for takeoff—we’re ready to lead.

Additional Reading References:
WSJ: New York to Paris in Under Four Hours? Inside the Effort to Build the Next Concorde
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Lead the World in Supersonic Flight
TechCrunch: Trump fast-tracks supersonic travel, amid spate of flight-related executive orders
FlightGlobal: Executive order instructs US FAA to repeal ‘outdated’ overland supersonic ban
New York Post: Trump orders FAA to remove supersonic flight restrictions: ‘Bold new chapter in aerospace innovation’
Wikipedia: Boom Overture

Nicky Smith is a candidate for Greensboro City Council District 4 with over 45 years of proven business leadership. 

I am ready to bring a new vision, experience, and common-sense leadership to City Hall, especially as Greensboro stands on the brink of major economic opportunity in aerospace and beyond.

If you believe in a future where Greensboro thrives through jobs, innovation, and accountability, please consider making a donation to Nicky’s campaign today. Even a $20 contribution can help us drive real change and keep our city moving forward.