Gulf Coast reaping benefits of Airbus-fueled economic development explosion

As what may be the world's fourth-largest aerospace corridor prepares for unprecedented growth, Mobile and Baldwin counties lie at the heart of an anticipated economic development explosion that could easily stretch 300 miles in radius.

Spanning Interstate 10 from Panama City to New Orleans, the Gulf Coast aerospace corridor's direct employment outpaced the sector's national growth between 2005 and 2010, and Alabama's growth alone increased 20 percent during that period to more than 23,000 jobs.

And with more than 33,500 acres available -- and advertised -- for development across Alabama's coastal counties, aerospace leaders are confident the upward trend will only continue to increase as Airbus prepares to build a $600 million final assembly line at Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile. More here.