Aerospace Alliance Announced, Will Work To Bring Jobs To Region

October 27, 2009

The Aerospace Alliance  announced Monday afternoon could help Northwest Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana create new jobs in aerospace and related manufacturing industries.

Leaders from the four states will using the non-profit marketing alliance to market the Gulf Coast to aerospace developers, including a push to bring the KC-45 tanker construction project to Mobile. If Northrop Grumman and EADS land the KC-45 tanker deal for Mobile, it could create 48,000 direct and indirect jobs in the four state region, according to Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and it would create the fourth largest aerospace corridor in the world.

While the KC-45 is the first priority for The Aerospace Alliance, it is not the only one. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida are currently home to manufacturers of helicopters, missile defense systems, composite aircraft structures, engine components and many R &D firms. The Aerospace Alliance will collaborate to working towards growing these aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries in the region.

aerospace13.jpg“We will work together to promote our region’s many assets. We will work together to advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level. The programs we attract will in turn attract suppliers, bringing even more jobs and development,” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley said Monday in Bay Minette. “Our first initiative is to win the KC-45 tanker, our first lesson is Geography — Mobile, Alabama and the Gulf Coast States are part of the U.S. and our jobs are American.”

“This alliance will go far in promoting our region for what it is – one of the largest aerospace corridors in the world and a great place for companies in this sector to do business,” said Governor Barbour, who addressed the event via video uplink. “The Gulf Coast states share geographic proximity, a long tradition of aerospace and aviation activities and a skilled and experienced workforce, and by joining together, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities to grow this sector in our region.”

Mitch Waldman, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Vice President applauded their efforts, saying, “We already know that the Gulf Coast is a center of excellence in defense, aviation and aerospace. We look forward to working with Governors and leaders of Aerospace Alliance states, and the many members and supporters of The Alliance, to spread the word to the rest of the world.”

Participants emphasized the need for jobs in the region’s economy, badly damaged by both Hurricane Katrina and the recession. Unemployment rates are high throughout the entire Southeast, and both Alabama and Florida have unemployment over 10 percent.

“Coupled with the recent announcement by Southwest Airlines of service to the new international airport in Northwest Florida, the formation of this alliance demonstrates a growing momentum that places the region and its assets center stage,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. “When the rest of the world has the opportunity to hear about our tradition of excellence in aerospace and aviation, we’ll attract even more quality jobs and opportunities.”

Northwest Florida is already home to a strong aviation, aerospace, defense and national security region, Nelson. Between Tallahassee and Pensacola there already are seven military installations, 400 aerospace and defense companies, 1,900 vendors, contractors and businesses providing essential support and a 70,000-person-strong aerospace and defense workforce, he said.

The members of The Aerospace Alliance include business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials from the Gulf Coast and surrounding region. The establishment of the four-state aerospace corridor was first conceived at the 2009 Paris Air Show, a gathering of the world’s aerospace industry.

Pictured: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced The Aerospace Alliance Monday afternoon in Bay Minette.

Comments

2 Responses to “Aerospace Alliance Announced, Will Work To Bring Jobs To Region”

  1. robert on October 27th, 2009 12:54 pm

    I think this will be a good thing if it succeeds in landing this contract. i live in Bratt and work in Bay Minette which is about a 45 minute drive. these jobs would defibitely be worth adding another 30 minutes to the drive time.

  2. Molino Mom on October 27th, 2009 7:09 am

    Sounds to be like Alabama suckered Florida and Mississippi into working to bring the KC45 to Alabama. They’re screwing us, just in case you did not notice Florida.

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