Alabama will soon be the new home of an environmental coatings facility for jet engine components.
GE-Aviation, an international company specializing in the production of jet engines, recently announced its intention to open a plant in Alabama.
The company expects the plant to boost employment in the area by 300 to 400 jobs, but no location has yet been selected.
The facility will be responsible for applying certain engine components with coatings to protect them from heat and other environmental factors. The facility will specifically work to enhance the GE Rolls-Royce F136 engine, which is used in Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, an aircraft favored by the U.S. military.
"The F136 requires new technology and manufacturing processes," said Deb Case, media relation for GE-Aviation. "GE doesn't have a facility dedicated to this specialized type of work, so this facility will be a good asset for the company."
GE-Aviation formally announced its plan to construct the facility in Alabama during a ceremony held at the state Capitol Aug. 25.
"The selection of Alabama was based on several criteria, including incentives from the state government, the outstanding university system and the successful partnership other GE businesses have enjoyed in the state," Case said.
Representatives from towns and universities across the state were in attendance, including officials from Auburn.
David Dorton, director of public affairs for the city of Auburn, said those in attendance included City Manager Charles Duggan, Economic Development Manager Phillip Dunlap, Mayor Bill Ham and representatives from other communities.
"The dean (of the College of Engineering) was there as an invited guest," said Jim Killian, director of communications in the College of Engineering.
Although a representative from Auburn University was invited to the event, the University itself has not been given any advance notice of whether the plant is considering a location nearby, he said.
"I think all we know at this point is that the plant is coming to Alabama and is looking for a location," Dorton said.
Case said the exact location should be announced in the next 90 days, although the company has yet to disclose any sites being considered.
"It's kind of a win-win either way," Dorton said. "If it came to Auburn, it would be good for jobs and for the economy. Auburn's had kind of a long-term economic strategy of sort of diversified technology."
Case said GE-Aviation expects the plant to begin an initial production run in 2013, although it will begin operations before then.
The company has been successful so far in expanding into different states.
"We anticipate similar technology successes in Alabama," Case said.
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