ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Now that the dust is settling on the deal to bring a $600 million Airbus assembly plant to southwest Alabama, it’s time to get down to brass tacks, or perhaps that should be brass rivets.

Robert Ingram, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance (BCEDA), said the facility will be a needed shot in the arm for Baldwin County.

“Construction of Airbus will need a total labor force of over 2,000,” he said. “Many of those employees will be from Baldwin County, and many who are not will stay in Baldwin County lodging during the construction phase and will spend money on food and recreation while here.

“Baldwin County construction equipment sales and rental businesses should see an increase in business, as well as engineering and related service providers. The short-term impact will be profound.”

The county could also benefit from additional aerospace industry jobs that will be created, and existing infrastructure, such as the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport in Fairhope, could be pressed into utilizing their full potential full potential.

Ingram said, “We expect existing aerospace companies to see growth as a result of the Airbus decision, and if we have the right type of property available, we expect to attract both Airbus suppliers and service providers.

The South Alabama Megasite, more than 3,000 acres located near Bay Minette would likely come into play if large suppliers choose to open centers near the Airbus plant. Ingram said the land is poised for its place in the economy.

"The Megasite could potentially host aerospace companies. That would almost certainly require that the County Commission split off a portion of the property and spend dollars to build infrastructure into it,” he said. “We are being told by experts that a typical site for a European aerospace supplier might be 50 acres, and they generally want developed sites with strong covenants, landscaping, paved and guttered streets, nice entrances, etc. If the County Commission decides to move in that direction, we will enthusiastically support that decision and market the Megasite aggressively."

The Megasite is not alone is being suitable for development, however.

“In previous work with Airbus, state economic development partners helped us identify other potential sites to sell, and we are actively working with several of those property owners to help them prepare to market their properties,” Ingram pointed out.

Numbers are still being crunched, but it is a given the Monday announcement represents a game-changer.

Ingram said, “I have not seen the most recent economic impact analysis related to Baldwin County and Airbus, but the location of Brookley Field pretty much guarantees that large numbers of permanent employees will live in Baldwin County, and I will be surprised if we do not have at least four or five suppliers located here. My guess would be that after five years we will have a minimum of 400 people who live in Baldwin working at Airbus or at one of its suppliers or contractors.

“This should translate into an annual economic impact of $40 to $50 million, based upon estimates of aerospace multipliers I have seen.”

Over the last few years, clean manufacturing, such as automotive plants, has been on the rise in Alabama, and an indirect economic impact has been felt here through the Port of Alabama in Mobile. Ingram noted Airbus will create even stronger economic ripples.

“Because of Brookley's proximity to Baldwin County, the fact that the project will help several of our existing companies grow, and because it should bring in additional suppliers, the project certainly could compare in impact to some our our largest industrial and distribution announcements ever,” he said. “Much depends on how good a job our communities do in preparing themselves to entice suppliers, new employees and executives of the operation to Baldwin County.”

Asked for additional thoughts about Airbus’ decision to build just across Mobile Bay and BCEDA’s role in the project, Ingram added, “We are proud to have played a very small role in helping our great Mobile friends on the project. I believe we have been to five international air shows and on numerous U.S. and European aerospace recruiting trips with state, utility and Mobile economic development professionals to help make this project happen. We will work with these same groups to maximize the impact on lower Alabama.

“This project is a perfect example of regional cooperation, and why it is essential that we do not let political boundaries divide us but instead that we work seamlessly together to build a stronger economy for all. We are certainly stronger as a region than as individual counties.

“My hat is off to those in Mobile who led the fight and never wavered in their efforts to make Mobile the next great aerospace manufacturing center in the world.”