Gov. Bob Riley announced that GE Aviation selected Alabama as the site of a coatings plant for military jet engines. The $45 million plant is projected to employ 300 to 400 workers, building components for the F136 jet engine. The Cincinnati-based company said it was in the final stages of selecting a location for the plant inside the state and expects to make a decision in the next 3 months.
"This is a project we have aggressively pursued and we're proud this prestigious international company is coming to Alabama," Riley said. Today's announcement at the state Capitol was attended by officials from Tuscaloosa, Tallapoosa, Lee and Macon counties who said they hoped to land the project.
GE said the Alabama environmental coatings plant will be about 200,000 square feet. The company said the coatings are used to enhance the durability of jet engine components by protecting the base metal from corrosion and harsh temperatures.