What’s Next For Mobile?

Alabama Washington With Thyssenkrupp Austal and now Northrop Grumman/EADS...Mobile's future has never looked so bright.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Sat, March 01, 2008 - 10:09 pm CST Last Updated: Sun, March 02, 2008 - 9:27 pm CST

Mobile's big win is the talk of the town. Northrop Grumman and EADS won a multi billion dollar contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force right here in the Port City. The historic announcement has many of you wondering what this means for Mobile's future.

City and State officials say Mobile is about to experience a major transformation. "The opportunities for decades to come are just so real and so big. It's really kinda hard to put it all in perspective,"Said Congressman Jo Bonner. With the Port City gaining the Air Tanker contract EADS says construction is scheduled to begin at Brookley Field, any day now. And the City of Mobile is preparing for the new work force that will come with it. "We have of course Bishop State, we have Mobile Works, we have the Clinton Johnson Center for Economic Development, then we have some companies that are providing their own training," Said City Councilman Fred Richardson.

But the coucilman also says with growth, must come change. "Transportation wise we got to make some changes, getting our workforce developed we got to make some changes and housing we got to work on those things," Said Richardson.
Wile officials look into new expansions. Rchardson says with Brookley Field, five national railroads, two interstate systems and a 54 foot deepwater channel....Mobile is more than capable to handle this economic endeavor. "We have polished ourself for this business, it was no coincidence that they chose us, we are ready, the infrastructure is ready, we are ready to go, "Said Richardson.

EADS has not confirmed when the job hiring process will begin. But there is one way you can get ahead of the competition.
City Councilman Fred Richardson says a job orientation will be held at Fonvielle Elementary School at 461 Donald Street on March 20th at 7 pm.
Several representatives from Austal, Thyssenkrupp and Northrop Grumman... among others will be on hand to answer your questions.

Northrop-Grumman's take on the project can be found here.

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BamaBob Says:

Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 7:24 am

The Air Force General has no say in the selection guidelines set forth by the legislature. All he can do is follow the law as it is presented to him.

Boeing has done a very good job of hoodwinking some people and an all out effort should be made to correct those fallacies!

rosepetal Says:

Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 10:37 pm

I do not work for boeing. My concern is the 30,000 American jobs that will be lost if Airbus get this contract. The air force general who stated that American jobs were not part of the decision process should be removed from duty.
Where is the 30 billion in tax dollars supposed to be generated?
This is not a done deal, true Americans will fight to keep all the jobs in America. Not just create a few in Mobile!

true americans will want what is best for our military boeing will get a big portion of the parts from china 30,000 jobs i dont think so its about the best aircraft not creating jobs the job thing is spin put out by boeing and seeing as how you are so patriotic just check out boeings history with china not to mention who do you think rebuilt the uss cole it sure wasnt boeing and that general that you are talking about is the one who gets called upon to risk his life defending your right to post your propaganda on this board

scubadude Says:

Mon, Mar 03, 2008 at 4:37 pm

BamaBob Says:

Mon, Mar 03, 2008 at 2:41 pm

An already congested Interstate 10 between Brookley and the Mississippi state line will become almost unbearable over the next several years.

The new high tech industry moving into the area is very exciting and really offers a great future for young men and women in the area. I’ve reached that stage in life where my next serious career move will be retirement. So, I just hope my property values go through the roof so that I can sell at a good price and move on!

2652 Says:

Mon, Mar 03, 2008 at 1:23 pm

I hope a super highway to handle all the influx of people. We need a super highway that reaches from one end of Mobile to another with intersecting points at various locations. Airport Blvd., Cottage Hill road, and Hwy.90 can’t handle anymore traffic. It takes 30+ minutes to get from downtown Mobile to the airport on a good day.