PARIS — Alabama’s Baldwin County is focused on building its aerospace industry, and representatives from the region are furthering that mission at this week’s Paris Air Show.
“Our plan for the Air Show has been to connect with many aerospace decision makers and communicate to them our value proposition as an aerospace community,” said Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.
“It has also been a time to touch base with companies that we have existing relationships with to hear from them and update them on our success and opportunities in South Alabama.”
The county already is home to the third largest aerospace company in Alabama, United Technologies Aerospace Systems.
UTC executives hosted an Alabama team at a meeting Tuesday at the company’s Paris Air Show exhibition base. Present were Governor Kay Ivey, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, Lawson and Baldwin County Commission Chairman Chris Elliott.
Last year, the Charlotte-based company announced a $30 million, 260-job expansion at its aerostructures plant in Foley that will supply jet engine systems to the Airbus A320 Family assembly line in Mobile.
“We have a workforce that is successfully supporting the industry across our region”. The expansion is a great opportunity to extend the firm’s ability to apply its innovative nacelle technology to one of the world’s most popular airplanes, said Marc Duvall, president of UTC Aerospace Systems’ Aerostructures business.
“We chose Foley to expand because of its proven track record of performance, our desire to be near a key customer, and the tremendous cooperation we’ve had from the state, county and the city,” he said when the project was announced.
Baldwin County’s other aerospace companies include KLX Aerospace Solutions, Wesco Aircraft Corp., Continental Motors and Segers Aerospace.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
Elliott said the county offers a host of assets for aerospace companies.
“Baldwin County is the fastest growing county in the state of Alabama and 8th fastest-growing MSA in the U.S, so we offer a place where talented people want to live,” he said. “We have a workforce that is successfully supporting the industry across our region, we also have training assets with Coastal Alabama Community College overseeing the State Aviation and Aerospace College now.”
“We can offer not only a great place to do business, but we offer aerospace companies a turnkey solution for long-term success and sustainability.”
