(MOBILE, Ala.) - The City of Mobile Council President said Thursday that big things are coming to the Brookley Aeroplex this year.
City Councilman Reggie Copeland spoke to reporters at the University of South Alabama after he had been named "Mobilian of the Year".
"The future of Mobile is looking good," Copeland said. "Austal is doing wonderful, TK has done well, several others."
Copeland said the quality hospitals and higher education have a lot to do with the city's continued growth too, but the best might be yet to come.
"I just think that Brookley Field is a dream waiting to happen with somebody to come in," Copeland said, "and I think, probably, we might hear something this year concerning aircraft manufacturing."
"I just feel that strong about it and, again, that creates jobs."
A good sign after EADS lost a US military tanker contract and hundreds of jobs to Boeing in Washington State a year ago.
A recent Bloomberg report said the France-based Airbus might make a U.S. move, and Brookley Aeroplex is a likely choice for aircraft manufacturing.
Officials at Brookley Field told Local 15 News Thursday they continue to look for new businesses at the facility, and they have two buildings that are move-in ready.
Officials also said they have a number of face-lift projects they are working on at the site to make the facility more appealing to those prospective occupants.
Reggie Copeland said despite past short comings, Mobile is much better off than other cities.
"We're looking for some good things to happen again in this community, and we're blessed," Copeland said.
