Airbus anticipation builds in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The City of Mobile stands to gain big time with a new airbus assembly plant.

We're expecting official confirmation on Monday, but excitement is already building.

Local and state officials are tight-lipped about the upcoming announcement, but Fox10 News did receive an invitation from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

The invitation states on Monday morning, there will be an 'exciting economic development announcement.'

And FOX10 News has also learned that Senator Richard Shelby will be in Mobile on Sunday night.

Last year, Airbus' parent company EADS lost a bid to build aerial refueling tankers in Mobile but now, it appears Airbus plans to build planes in the port city anyway.

Numerous sources are reporting that Airbus wants to build the A320 in Mobile- marking the company's first assembly plant in the US.

Aviation industry consultant Scott Hamilton said the popular A320 is a direct competitor to the Boeing's successful 737 and a Mobile assembly plant could give the European company an edge in sales.

Hamilton said, "It positions Airbus to offer much earlier delivery positions for the A320 by expanding its productions rate than Boeing can do with the 737."

Hamilton speculates the plant could hire a couple thousand workers.

A University of South Alabama Economics expert said assuming the plant brings 1,000 jobs, it could leave an annual wage impact of $100 million to the area.

It could also pump annual city sales tax revenues by $1 million, and bring in $5 million in tax revenue to the state.

And that's not including the in direct jobs created by construction and suppliers.

Hamilton said, "Airbus wouldn't be going under this kind of investment for a short term reason. This is a long-term strategy on the part of the company."

And Hamilton said that long term goal could mean another attempt at a Defense contract.

He said, "By creating this plant for the A320, EADS would then be in a position to go to the Defense department, saying we have this US footprint; we are a US citizen from some legal perspectives, and we can be better positioned to offer you good defense contracts."

Hamilton said this plant could create thousands of additional jobs for suppliers like airplane parts and seat manufacturers, and he said in some cases when a plant is built, those suppliers come along too.

So we'll find out more details on Monday.