Airbus calls Mobile 'American home'

Mobile, Ala. (WALA) - Airbus has called Mobile its new American home.

Soon a $600 million plant will be built at Brookley Aeroplex, and airplanes made there will fly around the world.

With 1,000 employees and 2,500 construction jobs, it'll mean big bucks for the area and more business for Gwin's Commercial Printing.

"Our job is to make them look great on paper,” said owner Mike Payne.

It's no easy task. The shop uses a palette of millions of possible colors to make newsletters and posters.

"As much as 15,000 sheets per hour,” he said.

Airbus is already a client. A lot of the banners and posters you've seen were made at Gwin’s Printing.

Payne said, "We're working real hard to make sure that those guys are happy, and we do a good job for them. And so far, the client seems to be very pleased."

Gwin's printing serves hundreds of local clients throughout the area, and Airbus' arrival could mean a lot more work for them, but the arrival could also mean more work for other local businesses too.

A University of South Alabama economist said the plant could have an annual wage impact of $100 million, and that money has to be spent somewhere.

Payne said, "Everyone they hire is gonna need many many things. They'll buy groceries. They'll buy auto parts. They'll buy bass boats. They'll buy new pickup trucks."

And the trickle down effect is already impacting local aerospace companies.

Aerospace Industry Resources is a local airline consulting firm, and it's expecting work to increase.

Star Aviation, which modifies airplanes, is looking forward to the possibilities.

"Something of this magnitude can only be good for us,” said VP of Operations Gordon Smart. "We would have a massive indirect impact from the suppliers that would come in and put up shops near the Airbus completion center that we would possibly foster relationships with."

The whole area stands to benefit from Airbus.

"This is big. This is real big,” said Payne.

Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) will handle the hiring.

A spokesman said their website has been flooded with visitors, and people have already started sending resumes.

But the actual application process won't start until later this year.