Mayor Sam Jones talks about London

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It's official, Mobile city council members approve an incentives package for Airbus, Americas.

Less than 24 hours after returning from London, Mayor Sam Jones said the Farnborough Air Show was a success.

Jones said the purpose of the trip was to connect with suppliers in the aviation arena in hopes of attracting more economic development.

Jones said since Airbus picked Mobile as the home of its first North American Manufacturing plant selling the perks of the port city wasn't hard.

Jones said he met with 12 supplier’s individual, and over leaders from the Mobile meet with an estimated 30 suppliers.

Jones said there were a few seeking the city's help to be named an Airbus supplier. 

"We had a few doing that. We had some that would say they would really like to come to Mobile if you could help up be selected," said Jones.

The Mobile City Council approved a $14.5 million incentives package.

Mayor Jones said it is similar to the package used to land the tanker deal. The only difference this package includes a $150,000 per year for 15 years to the Airport Authority to subsidize the lease of a warehouse.

When asked whether the city would roll out any further incentives to attract suppliers the mayor said that depends.

"Depends on who they are and what they do. Some suppliers could have potential to create more jobs than Airbus," said Jones. "So it depends on the size and what they do."

Jones said this is just the beginning and city attorney Larry Wettermark agrees.

He said Airbus expects to the city to invest in the infrastructure at Brookley from curbing, to landscaping and buildings.

"They expect more from the city in terms of investing," said Wettermark. "A lot of investing to do in our community if we are to become the world class aviation center we want to become and they expect us to be."

Jones said the Airbus deal could lead to another cruise ship calling Mobile home.

Jones said city officials have been consistent in working to attract a ship.

"We've been talking to several cruise companies on consistent basis. We have sent people to their trade shows; we've set up appointments with them. I am pretty sure in the near future we will talk to the CEO's of at least two or three different cruise industry companies to try and attract them here," said Jones.

Jones said he would ask the companies to try a test cruise from Mobile to determine if it would be profitable.

The Mobile County Commission also approved its incentive package Thursday morning.

The deal is worth $14.5 million.

County Commissioner Connie Hudson made the trip to London for Farnborough Air Show as well.

"We're on the international stage right now. We need to take advantage and need to work it to the best of our ability to promote the community," said Hudson. "And I think we did that very well."

The County Commission also approved a contract with the Mobile County Public School System in the amount of $50,000 from District 3 funds, for an aerospace / aviation project at B.C. Rain High School.

Commissioners said it will be designated for training workers in Aerospace Industry.