Gulf Coast Poised To Become Aerospace Industry Leader

A new aerospace alliance between gulf coast states is hoping to position the region to be one the largest aerospace manufacturing corridors in the world. MPB’s Phoebe Judge reports.

The new aerospace alliance announced at a press conference in Alabama yesterday will operate as a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of promoting the Gulf Coast region as a world class aerospace and aviation corridor. Along with Mississippi, the new alliance will include Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Governor Haley Barbour says working together as a region puts the Gulf Coast in a prime position to expand the aerospace industry,

“The Gulf Coast states have much to offer perspective aerospace companies; we have prime locations, excellent transportation networks, and quality research and development programs.”

The aerospace and aviation industry is no stranger to south Mississippi with NASA’s Stennis Space Center anchoring one end of the Gulf Coast, and Northrop Grumman’s aerospace aviation facility the other. Randy Belote, is vice president of strategic communications for Northrop Grumman,

“We’re heavily involved in a number of activities. We see with the establishment of the aerospace alliance there should be many new opportunities for the area, which would result in new jobs and I think that is what we are all working to accomplish.”

Brian Sanderson, president of the Gulf Coast Business Council says this new alliance could put the Gulf Coast on the map,

“I think that the future potential that could be located here in terms of investment dollars both physical manufacturing plants as well as research could truly transform the region. “

The first priority of the aerospace alliance will be to help secure the KC-45 aerial tanker program. If secured that program based out of Mobile has the potential to create 48,000 direct and indirect jobs for the region.