MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Aerospace and defense is a multi-billion dollar industry in the state of Alabama, and it's only going to get bigger thanks to a new council.
Today, Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth and members of Manufacture Alabama unveiled the new council and what they aim to accomplish.
"Alabama in my opinion is the aerospace and defense capital of the world and with this council we plan to keep it that way," said Ainsworth.
Aerospace and defense is a $70 billion industry in Alabama. The new council is made up of representatives from that industry. They will start meeting in the new year and advocate for new legislation.
"I can tell you one of the first things I am going to encourage this council to do is to push space command back in Alabama. I think that was one of the worst things I saw in politics," said Ainsworth.
U.S. Space Command is currently located in Colorado, but Alabama has lobbied to have it moved to the Huntsville area.
According to Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, Huntsville has more engineers per capita than any other city in the world, while Mobile is considered the fourth largest aerospace producer in the world.
Council members plan to keep this momentum going with recruiting.
"I think we would like to see more people get involved both business people and frankly students," said Lockheed Martin representative Joe Rice. "We have to grow up the next generation of people to work these jobs in Alabama."
There are already 300 aerospace and defense companies in Alabama, and the council hopes to entice even more to relocate to the state. The Alabama council is a version of the National Aerospace Council. While council members have been selected, they're extending an invite to anyone within the industry to be apart of the movement.