Manufacturing in Mobile County on Upswing

Posted on: Sep 29th, 2015 | News and Announcements

As a center for a growing manufacturing hub, Mobile County commissioners today declared the month of October as Manufacturing Awareness and Appreciation Month and committed to lend their ongoing support to companies in the sector. ?We are in a unique position in Mobile County to have a vibrant manufacturing sector that raises the standard of living for all who reside here,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. ?These companies offer good wages and long-term career opportunities.? In the last five years, manufacturing jobs have increased of 38.1 percent in Mobile County, much higher than the state average of nine percent over the same time period. For the same period, the county has seen an increase in manufacturing wages of 22.9 percent. ?We have excellent partnerships with the manufacturers here and it has produced results for them and for the community,? said Mobile County Commission President Jerry Carl. The county also has one of the most diverse manufacturing economies in the state with five different industries (shipbuilding, aerospace, steel, chemicals and paper) among its top 10 manufacturers. ?Not only do we have a growing manufacturing sector, but it is diversified enough to give us some resilience during economic fluctuations,? said Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson. Regionally, Southwest Alabama was one of 12 areas nationwide designated a Manufacturing Community in May 2014 by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The designation showcases the area and gives the eight-county region greater access to government grants for further economic development. Mobile County is joining communities around the country next month in recognizing the importance of the manufacturing sector to the growth of our economy, nationally and locally. ###