What's Next For Mobile?

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.