Who knew that a county born from ships, that mastered maritime commerce 117 years before Alabama became a state and whose biggest city is nicknamed “The Port City,” would become a center for aerospace? In Mobile County, the sky’s the limit.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s words were prophetic nine years ago. “Mobile recognizes that the aerospace industry is in a prime position for growth,” the mayor noted and added, “particularly with delivery of the first Airbus A320 from the Mobile final assembly line in 2016.”
Fast-forward to 2024. In October, Airbus announced a $150 million expansion, transforming the workforce from 1,800 to 2,800 employees.
Also in November, Aerostar, a provider of aerospace repair services, announced plans to grow its Brookley Aeroplex operations in Mobile. The $4.7 million project is expected to create 50 jobs within the next three years.
In addition, in December 2023, MAAS, known for its aircraft painting expertise, announced expansion plans for its Mobile operations. Addressing the news, MAAS Aviation Chief Operating Officer Geoff Myrick notes, “Mobile has proven to be an ideal location to grow our business, and we are looking forward to expanding our footprint at Brookley Field.”
Aerospace is not competing with Mobile County’s maritime industry but rather complimenting it. The praise is well deserved — in 2025 Mobile’s ports are shipshape.
The Port of Mobile generates $98.3 billion in economic value to Alabama and 351,359 jobs either directly or indirectly are associated with the port. Activity at the public and private terminals generates one in seven jobs statewide. Forbes Magazine ranks the Port of Mobile as the second fastest-growing port in the U.S.
And a new international airport at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley is slated to open next year, offering easier access to commercial flights — closer to downtown and more convenient to Interstates 10 and 65 than the current regional airport.
But one of the biggest Mobile stories was neither sky nor sea, but a 60-year-old Civic Center being demolished to make way for a new one. Mobile is tearing down the city icon and constructing a new, world-class entertainment destination suited for concerts, family shows and sporting events. The project is valued at approximately $237 million.
On a similar note, the city of Saraland’s $70-plus million Sportsplex, “The Land,” is open for softball and baseball. Tennis, pickleball, rock climbing, basketball, nature trails and more are set to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
On the other end of the county, Dauphin Island recently opened its long-awaited Community Center. The nearly 13,000-square-foot building includes a stage, catering kitchen, restroom facilities and two meeting rooms that will seat both 100 and 350 people.
Health care remains a major employer for Mobile County, accounting for 15% of the workforce. Of that, Infirmary Health, on average, sees more than 1.5 million patient visits per year and holds more than 50% of the health care market share in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Many health care workers are trained in Mobile County’s colleges and universities. The University of South Alabama includes a medical school, while it and the University of Mobile, Bishop State, Spring Hill College, Faulkner University and others offer nursing or other health care programs.
On a recreational note, old favorites like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and Bellingrath Gardens and Home attract thousands annually to Mobile. Both are in Alabama’s Top 10 most popular attractions.
Mobile County continues its growth in 2025 — from shipbuilding to aircraft construction to cargo handling to new civic facilities. The city of Mobile, and neighbors from Saraland and Semmes to Dauphin Island, report a surge in business and residential growth. And whether it’s shipping, industry, retail or aviation — collectively, Mobile County’s towns and cities reach for the sky.
Emmett Burnett is a Satsuma-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
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This story appears in the June 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
