WLOX-TV and WLOX.com - The News for South MississippiCochran, Barbour, Wicker Comment On Northrop Grumman/EADS Contract Win

Cochran, Barbour, Wicker Comment On Northrop Grumman/EADS Contract Win

Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Friday said the U.S. Air Force's decision to award its tanker contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS will lead to up to 2,000 jobs created along the Gulf Coast.

The $40 billion contract is for 179 tankers that Northrop Grumman/EADS will build in Mobile, Alabama. 

"This announcement is a huge victory for the Gulf Coast," Senator Roger Wicker said. "I've been a strong supporter of Northrop Grumman/EADS throughout this process and I commend the Air Force for making what I've always believed was the right choice for this contract." 

"This decision will lead to the creation of up to 2,000 Gulf Coast jobs," Wicker added.  "And while the tankers will be built in Mobile, the economic impact will be felt throughout South Mississippi.  I expect suppliers and other support businesses to locate in Mississippi and create quality jobs for our citizen."

Mississippi's senior Senator Thad Cochran said, "The selection of the EADS/Northrop Grumman facility in Mobile, AL to produce aerial refueling tankers for the United States Air Force is welcome news to Mobile's neighbors in Mississippi.  A project of this magnitude will benefit the entire Gulf Coast region.  The facility will create thousands of jobs for Americans and will bolster economic development not only in Alabama, but also along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Mississippians will realize sizable economic advantages because of this project."   

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour thanked Senators Cochran and Wicker for their work to secure the project for the Gulf Coast region.

"I am very pleased by the Pentagon's decision to award this contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS, two great corporate citizens in the State of Mississippi who have long provided exemplary production services for the U.S. military.  Our longstanding commitment to a regional economic development approach with our neighbor, Alabama, has worked well, and I look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts to promote job creation and spur economic growth in our region.

In addition to congratulating these two companies which both have a significant presence in Mississippi, I would like to thank Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker for their important role in securing this project for the Gulf Coast region.  By constructing these tankers in Mobile, we will benefit from a number of spin-off jobs as well as new suppliers, who want to take advantage of our community college and workforce training programs."