LONDON – Governor Kay Ivey this morning told Alabama economic development specialists in London for the Farnborough International Airshow to work vigorously to position their communities and the state for new investment in the growing aerospace sector.
Governor Ivey addressed economic developers, elected leaders, university leaders and others from around Alabama at a breakfast meeting that signals the start of a four-day effort at the industry trade show to bring new aerospace jobs to the state.
“I know we are going to have a successful week as we all work our contacts and meet with industry leaders because Alabama is a great product to sell,” she told the group.
At Farnborough, Governor Ivey will join Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, and his team at least 16 scheduled appointments with executives from aerospace companies, as well as a number of other informal meetings.
“Alabama is becoming the heart of North America’s aerospace manufacturing. That’s a good message to convey to folks,” the governor told the group.
GROWTH PHASE
The air show mission comes amid strong growth in the state’s robust aerospace sector, whose activities range from rocket and missile development and production to passenger jet assembly, along with just about everything in between.
Last year alone, aerospace companies finalized plans to create 1,750 jobs and invest nearly $690 million in Alabama, according to Department of Commerce projections. Meanwhile, the state remains in the running for projects involving significant investment and job creation.
“Alabama has done a great job of establishing itself as a real force in the aerospace and aviation sector,” Secretary Canfield told the Alabama group at the breakfast.
He said the ultimate goal of the air show mission for the Alabama delegation is to build relationships within the industry that can facilitate the continued growth of the sector and its high-paying jobs.
Governor Ivey told the Alabama team that she is committed to helping the aerospace sector expand in the state.
“Let’s have a great week, and let’s go close some deals,” she told the group.
More than 300 aerospace companies from more than 30 different countries have operations in Alabama, including industry giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation, Raytheon, United Launch Alliance and GKN Aerospace.
Another of these giants is Airbus, which produces its A320 Family passenger jets at a new $600 million manufacturing facility in Mobile.
In addition, Alabama is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the Army’s Fort Rucker aviation training complex, and the Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery.
