Alabama Commerce Department wants to grow Alabama's aerospace industry

A delegation from the Alabama Department of Commerce attended the Farnborough International Air Show in Great Britain back in July. Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair wrote on Tuesday that she and her team return from that conference eyeing aerospace growth.

"A working team from the Alabama Department of Commerce participated in last month's Farnborough International Airshow with a simple mission: build on the strong growth that is propelling the state's aerospace sector forward," said Secretary McNair in a statement. "Over the past decade, aerospace, defense and aviation companies have announced growth projects in Alabama involving over $4.3 billion in new investment and almost 12,000 job commitments."

The Commerce team in Farnborough was led by Deputy Secretary Angela Till. There they me with industry decision-makers at companies considering U.S. locations for growth projects.

"During the event, Commerce's working team engaged in 18 scheduled appointments with industry executives, as well as numerous informal discussions with officials at aerospace companies," said Duncan. "The results are promising: The team identified seven new growth projects from companies interested in Alabama, along with 10 other solid prospects whose plans could include the state."

"We have everything in place that the industry needs, and I'm confident that our mission has planted seeds that will one day bear fruit," Deputy Secretary Till said.

McNaie said that aerospace is a pillar in Alabama's economy, and that the state is committed to seeing that it continues to grow in state of Alabama.