MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Mobile is still about two months away from the ground breaking for the new Airbus jet assembly plant at Brookley Aeroplex. But there are new signs that Mobile is getting ready for the arrival of the company, and a better economy for the Port City.
Some buildings at Brookley are getting a face lift.
A company called Exterior Restorations has been hired by the airport authority to put a new stucco front on several buildings, giving them more curb appeal to the prospective clients that will come calling as Airbus starts to build.
Company President Burt Barnett said it's not just this project that has him excited about the Mobile economy, but a jump in projects across the city he and other contractors are seeing.
"Well, the way the economy has been the last few years, it's been really down, and this has just been great," said Barnett. "I see it continuing. I do not see it tapering off. We have work in advance right now of about three months."
Carol Hunter of the Downtown Alliance said contracts on building purchases in downtown Mobile have already surpassed the total number for last year.
In addition, there is excitement being generated over a bill in front of the state legislature right now, that would give tax credits to those renovating historic homes and business properties in Alabama.
That leaves some investors in Mobile from cautiously optimistic to just plain optimistic.
