Alabama Department of Commerce highlights Alabama's role in transportation manufacturing

If you are going to go somewhere more than 2 or 3 miles away, you need some sort of a vehicle to get you there. Whether you fly on an airplane, drive an automobile, travel on a ship, or get there on a motorbike, all-terrain vehicle, or side by side offroad car your friends and neighbors in Alabama are building it for you. The Alabama Department of Commerce highlighted the role that Alabama industries play in getting us where we want to go.

Economic developer Dr. Nicole J. Wadsworth told the Alabama Gazette, "Alabama plays a pivotal role in the mobility revolution, which drives innovation in industries such as electric vehicles, aerospace, and shipbuilding. With major investments in production, a thriving aerospace and aviation sector led by companies like GE Aerospace and Airbus, and a rich history in advanced manufacturing, our state continues to shape the future of transportation."

The Commerce Department pointed out that Alabama auto plants produce over 1 million vehicles annually, including cutting-edge EVs.

The GE Aerospace's Auburn facility pioneered the mass production of 3-D printed aircraft engine parts.

Over $2 billion in EV-related investments have been announced, creating 2,500 jobs in the state's auto sector.

Airbus has delivered 400+ aircraft from its Alabama manufacturing center.

NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Airbus, Toyota, Mazda, Polaris, and more all have substantial facilities here in Alabama.

These companies, world-class researchers at Alabama universities together with Alabama's labor force are driving innovations in mobility technologies.

"Alabama is driving the future of mobility across land, air, sea, and space," said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. "From electric vehicles and rockets to passenger jets and next-generation ships, our state's industries are leading the way in innovation and job creation.

"With over $2 billion in EV investments, groundbreaking aerospace projects, and a workforce trained for the technologies of tomorrow, Alabama is building a legacy as a global leader in mobility," McNair added.

All of these jobs require a highly skilled workforce.

To that end AIDT, Alabama's primary workforce development agency, is constructing a $30 million workforce training center in Decatur that's dedicated to electric vehicles and emerging technologies. The $30 million EV Technology Center is located on the campus of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park, a $73 million complex where AIDT helps companies train workers on advanced R&D and manufacturing technologies. The Center will equip future automotive workers with the skills needed for electric vehicle production and other emerging technologies.

The Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center in Tuscaloosa is supporting Alabama's automotive industry through research and innovation in the EV space.

The $30 million EV Technology Center is set to propel Alabama's automotive industry into the future by equipping workers with the skills needed for electric vehicle production and other emerging technologies. It's being built on the campus of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur.