Governor Robert Bentley announced a new project agreement with Austal USA that will see the shipbuilder add up to 1,000 new full-time jobs in Mobile.
The Phase V Agreement is a five-year, $5 million agreement that will help Austal continue its workforce expansion efforts. As part of the agreement, the company will also receive employee training services from AIDT – the Alabama Industrial Development Training program. AIDT is renowned for providing quality workforce development for Alabama’s new and existing businesses. Once the overall expansion is completed at Austal, total employment at the Mobile complex is expected to reach approximately 4,600 people.
“With this new project agreement, we are creating new jobs and new opportunities for the people of Alabama,” Governor Bentley said. “We are moving forward with our Accelerate Alabama plan for long-term economic development. We are committed to creating a broad range of new jobs while also supporting existing companies. Austal USA’s plans for expansion fit perfectly in the Accelerate Alabama plan. The company is a leader in building defense and commercial vessels, and we appreciate leaders at Austal for strengthening their commitment to Alabama.”
“Since forming an official public/private partnership with the State of Alabama, Mobile County, and the City of Mobile, Austal’s employment numbers have increased from just over 100 to nearly 3,000, and we are working to grow our operation to more than 4,000,” Austal USA’s Interim President and Chief Financial Officer, Brian Leathers, said. “The success of this partnership represents the American dream of hope and opportunity along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Austal is very appreciative of the support of Governor Bentley, the Alabama Department of Commerce, Alabama Industrial Development Training, and those within the Governor’s Administration who are responsible for the success of the Phase V Agreement.”
The new jobs from the Phase V Agreement are expected to be created over the next few years. Austal will advertise upcoming opportunities on www.austaljobs.com as new jobs become available.
An Australian-based shipbuilder, Austal designs and builds defense and commercial vessels. The company maintains shipyards in Western Australia; Mobile, Alabama; and the Philippines. Austal also provides vessel maintenance and management services along with other support services for customers worldwide.
Austal USA established a presence in Mobile in 1999 and currently employs nearly 3,000 people building warships for the U.S. Navy. Under a current project agreement, the employment total is expected to reach approximately 3,600 people. The Phase V Agreement announced Tuesday is expected to take the employment total to 4,600 people. Austal USA has already made major investments in its Mobile shipyard, with more than $100 million in expansion and improvements from 2008 to 2012. Earlier this summer, Austal opened three new facilities at its Mobile River complex, greatly enhancing the size and scope of the company’s operations and helping make the complex the most modern and innovative shipyard on the continent. The facilities include a 700,000 square-foot Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF); a 59,000 square-foot assembly bay; and a 108,000 square-foot office complex.
“Alabama has been a proud partner to Austal’s growth in this state for many years,” Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said. “This partnership has helped the company expand and bring thousands of new jobs to the people of Alabama. We appreciate the fact that Austal has been a good corporate citizen to both Alabama and Mobile and look forward to working with them on many more expansions in the future. Thank you for your continued contributions to our state.”