Pensacola officials expect Airbus to bring jobs to area

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Monday morning's announcement that Airbus will build its first U.S. facility in Mobile is sure to cause a stir in the local economy.

While it's huge news for the City of Mobile, folks in Pensacola are expecting big things as well.

Expectations are high for the European company which looks to employ 1,000 plus people and crank out 40 to 50 planes a year by 2017.

Jim Hizer with the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce said it could mean a lot for northwest Florida.

"The whole Airbus project is sure to be a game changer in the Gulf Coast. Of course, we already have a reputation as a center for the aerospace industry and this only bolsters that reputation," said Hizer.

Hizer said it's reasonable to expect more than 3,000 jobs brought to Pensacola and surrounding areas in the coming years.

"It's inevitable with a project of that size, that they'll draw employees from an hour or more away because of the competitive wage and the special skills," Hizer said.

He said the production of the plant could also attract Airbus suppliers from around the world.

"That will place Mississippi, south Alabama and northwest Florida on the radar for those companies looking to sell to Airbus directly." said Hizer.

Hizer said he believes this is a sign that great days for the Gulf Coast are ahead.

"This is just huge for all of us and it will be remembered as a day the Gulf Coast really turned that corner in the midst of the economic downturn."

Officials say they have already had contact with suppliers showing interest in the Gulf Coast.