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Commission discusses $125,000 contribution to AAA United States training facility; decision deferred
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Summary
Mobile County commissioners heard discussion about a proposed $125,000 county contribution to AAA United States for equipment at a new 20,000-square-foot training facility on Demetropolis Road. Commissioners debated equity of incentives for long-established local firms versus incoming firms; the item was set for a later formal vote.
Mobile County commissioners discussed a proposed project development agreement that would commit the county to a $125,000 contribution to AAA United States for acquisition or replacement of equipment for a new 20,000-square-foot training facility on Demetropolis Road.
The item was introduced as an agenda conference item and the administration said the agreement as drafted would require the county contribution to support the company’s training facility; the agreement, as presented, anticipates 210 jobs within three years and said the figure could grow by as many as 50 jobs if the company secures additional contracts. The commission did not take a final vote at the conference and the item was scheduled to be voted on at a later meeting.
A commissioner who identified concerns about fairness said they supported training for Airbus and Austal but questioned why smaller, long-standing local industries had not received equivalent economic incentives. “It’s going to be hard for me to justify giving any more economic incentives to anybody until I can provide some economic incentives to some local businesses here who provide the same quality of jobs,” the commissioner said, and stated they intended to vote no on the item when it came up for a formal vote unless similar support was offered to local shipyards that have been operating for multiple generations.
A county staff member told the commission the agreement reflects the expectation of 210 jobs within three years and that Airbus would be one of several beneficiaries of the training the facility will provide. Another commissioner cautioned that the county must scrutinize incoming requests because available economic development funds are limited and several requests are outstanding.
Commissioners discussed job-count and per-job cost figures reported to them. One commissioner referenced figures provided by the local chamber indicating an approximate per-job incentive cost of $9,259 for Airbus, and lower per-job figures for two shipyards discussed during the meeting (figures reported in the meeting were roughly $4,100 and $3,400 per job for the other two firms). The commissioner said those numbers were part of his rationale for seeking parity in incentive awards.
No formal vote was recorded on the record during this agenda conference; the administration indicated the item will be placed on the formal agenda for a future meeting for decision.
Ending
The commission’s discussion focused on the trade-offs between attracting and training a workforce for new and expanding employers and directing limited incentive funds toward long-established local employers. The project development agreement was left to be considered at a subsequent meeting where commissioners will record a formal vote.
