EADS gets a new name

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile is on the fast track to becoming a hub for the Aerospace industry. Thursday, Airbus announced a name change and an expansion it hopes will land it even bigger deals for the Gulf Coast.

All systems are go at the new Airbus Military North America facility, formerly known as EADS CASA North America.

"We are excited. It says Airbus is open for business in Mobile County," said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean.

The announcement was made at the Mobile Regional Airport site for Airbus Military North America. Allan McArtor, the Chairman for Airbus Americas, Inc., was just as excited about the expansion.

Hundreds of people packed the new facility. A message from Mobile Mayor Sam Jones was broadcast over a projector screen.

"Thank you for believing in Mobile," said Mayor Jones.

"Shows our commitment to the Mobile area by renaming. It allows us to have a bigger platform to create more jobs in Mobile and the entire Gulf Coast," added McArtor.

Three different kinds of aircraft will be maintained at this new facility, including the CN235. It's an aircraft used all across the country.

The U.S. Coast Guard uses it for search and rescue, as well as surveillance. It's even used by police in Mexico.

With the new name and expansion comes two dozen more jobs.

"We've put 150 man engineer center at Brookley, with 134 highly trained engineers, and 24 people here," said David Oliver, Chief Operating Officer for EADS.

The announcement also puts Mobile on the map when it comes to the Aerospace industry. EADS leaders said Mobile was an easy choice, because of its water access and airports. But there was something else just as valuable.

"It wasn't the money, because other states offered us more tax breaks and incentives. What Mobile leaders did, they sat down and said, 'How can we help you?' We believe they understood better than anybody else what we needed to have," shared Oliver.

Having Airbus Military North America here could be just the thing to help land other deals, such as the multi-billion dollar tanker contract.

Speaking of the tanker, rebidding has already begun. Oliver believes the companies, Northrop Grumman and EADS, will win again.

"We are going to win the tanker. It is going to take people like Congressmen Jo Bonner and people like the Governor who are fighting for us," said Oliver.