The Capabilities Are Here.
The Potential Is Outstanding.
The Southeast is home to some of the world’s most advanced manufacturing operations, as well as aerospace installations, a number of key NASA facilities and numerous military installations critical to the Department of Defense flight missions and training.
In order to capitalize on these unique abilities and assets, a group of business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials in the region came together to form The Aerospace Alliance, a 501(c)(6) private/public organization.
The Aerospace Alliance’s Mission:
“to establish the Southeast region as a world-class aerospace and aviation corridor. The Alliance’s members share the common goal of promoting the region’s common assets and long-standing tradition of excellence in the aerospace industry to take advantage of opportunities to grow the sector in the region. Members will advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level.”
By attracting major programs and projects, the region will also be more attractive to suppliers. This ripple effect will mean more jobs and will further enhance the region’s economic growth.
The Tanker Project
The Aerospace Alliance is advocating a dual-source competitive procurement for the new Air Force aerial refueling tanker. A dual-source tanker buy could secure 100,000 high-paying, long-term jobs across the country, including some of the most economically challenged areas. A dual buy could also save billions in taxpayer money, and allow the Air Force to retire the entire fleet of 50 year old tankers by 2022, seven years sooner than a single company buy.
Growing Space Initiatives
Other priorities will include the growth of the space initiatives in the Alliance, driven by those companies and states involved in the nation’s space program.
