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New Aviation Academy to open in Georgia and you could go for free

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — Gov. Nathan Deal announced the creation of a new Aviation Academy in Paulding County on Friday.

Channel 2's Richard Elliot was at Silver Comet Field at Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport where the technical school will operate.

Georgia is the fourth-ranked state for aviation in the country. The booming aircraft industry in the state is looking for more mechanics and technicians.

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Gov. Nathan Deal announced the $35 million project to build the technical school on Friday.

The Aviation Academy will be part of the state's Hope Career Grant program, which means the state will pay 100% of the tuition to students who enroll.

Deal said the industry needs talent to supply the aircraft industry.

"They are all in need of aviation mechanics, airframe technicians and things of that sort," Deal said in a press conference. "The graduates who come through this program will be in all of these various manifestations of aircraft maintenance."

Construction is expected to start on the school next year.