Mobile Airport Authority Awarded $2M Grant for Brookley Expansion Site

MOBILE, Ala. (February 27, 2024) – The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) has been awarded a $2 million grant designed to drive the expansion of the Brookley Aeroplex. This funding, part of the State Industrial Development Authority’s (SIDA) broader initiative, known as the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS), aims to strengthen Alabama’s Industrial infrastructure.

Governor Kay Ivey's recent announcement of over $30 million in SEEDS grants highlights efforts to accelerate industry-ready site development statewide. With a total of $30.1 million in SEEDS funding bolstered by $38.4 million in local contributions, Alabama aims to attract transformative economic projects that create jobs and opportunities.

This grant is a significant boost for the expansion of the Mobile International Airport and surrounding property. The specific use of this grant money involves purchasing 272 acres of property from the Mobile Housing Authority for light industrial development.

 

”We deeply appreciate Governor Kay Ivey and the State Industrial Development Authority for their continued investment in Mobile International Airport,” said Mobile Airport Authority Chairman Elliot Maisel. ”This $2 million grant is a testament to the MAA’s vision that is the Mobile International Airport. Our International Airport, with continuing help from the state of Alabama, will be transformative for our city, region, and all of our citizens.”

 

"We are grateful for the support provided through SEEDS, which gives us the chance to grow the Brookley Aeroplex and attract new opportunities to our community," said Mobile Airport Authority President Chris Curry. ”As we move forward with the Brookley Expansion Project, we’re dedicated to making the most of this grant to benefit Mobile.”

 

“The Mobile Chamber greatly appreciates Governor Kay Ivey’s dedication to economic development in Alabama,” said Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. “We at the Mobile Chamber are particularly proud to have played a role in helping to secure a portion of this funding for the Mobile Airport Authority. Our collaboration with MAA throughout the application process and site evaluation exemplifies the positive outcomes that can be achieved through strategic partnerships.”

 

About Mobile Airport Authority

The Mobile Airport Authority owns and operates Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), Mobile International Airport (BFM), Brookley Aeroplex, and St. Elmo Airport, generating $2 Billion in economic value for Alabama. Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines serve the Mobile Regional Airport, providing direct service to four major hubs: Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, and Houston. MOB is also home to Airbus Space and Defense.

 

Mobile International Airport (BFM), strategically located near the Port of Mobile, is a vital link to multimodal connectivity, integrating maritime, rail, trucking, and aviation operations. Construction for a new terminal and parking garage at BFM is underway, with an anticipated completion in July 2025, coinciding with the relocation of all commercial air traffic in November 2025. Breeze Airways will debut service to Orlando from BFM in April 2024. The airport proudly houses the Airbus Final Assembly Line, Airbus Engineering, ST Aerospace, and Continental Motors, showcasing its prominence in the aviation industry.

 

The Brookley Aeroplex, a thriving industrial complex, supports BFM’s operations, accommodating more than ninety businesses, including supply chain providers and others supporting the transportation industry.

St. Elmo Airport is located about eighteen miles from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley and primarily caters to corporate and private aircraft needs.

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