Contributed by Isaac Smith, Principal/District Manager, PPM Consultants
While the 1980s comedy Planes, Trains, and Automobiles made us laugh, Alabama’s version is no joke. From aerospace to autos, from rail hubs to shipyards, the state has emerged as a heavyweight in the global transportation sector. Each mode tells a story of innovation, investment, and opportunity—stories that shape not just Alabama’s economy but international supply chains.
Planes, Rockets, Drones and Space Command
Huntsville, long known as “Rocket City,” continues to anchor Alabama’s aerospace reputation. In 2025, Huntsville earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. cities for Aerospace in the Business Facilities Annual Rankings Report. Nationwide, Alabama ranked No. 4 for Aerospace/Defense Employment—evidence of its growing role in securing the nation’s future in air, space, and defense technologies.
That reputation was on full display when Performance Drone Works opened its 90,000-square-foot Drone Factory 01 in Huntsville. The facility will create more than 500 jobs and inject over $81 million annually into the local economy. Positioned near Redstone Arsenal, the factory will produce more than 350 multi-mission unmanned aircraft systems each month—equipment already trusted by the U.S. Army and public safety agencies nationwide.
Additionally, with the Trump Administration’s recent selection of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as the permanent headquarters for U.S. Space Command will have a lasting impact on the entire area as an estimated 1,400 Space Command jobs will transition to Redstone Arsenal over the next five years.
With Airbus assembling commercial jets in Mobile and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center leading rocket development, Alabama is where rocket science meets next-generation aviation.
Automobiles: Driving Global Growth
Alabama’s automotive sector is another engine of global commerce. Home to major plants for Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and the Toyota Mazda partnership, the state ranks No. 6 nationally for automotive strength. These facilities don’t just assemble vehicles, they anchor supply chains that stretch worldwide, supported by a skilled workforce and innovative training programs.
In 2025, Alabama also ranked in the Top 10 nationally for manufacturing jobs and customized workforce training, underscoring its reputation as an advanced manufacturing hub. With exports fueling billions in trade, the state’s auto industry continues to be one of the South’s most powerful economic drivers.
Trains: Logistics at Full Steam
The recent groundbreaking of the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) demonstrates Alabama’s rising importance as a logistics hub. A $94 million project in partnership with CSX, the ICTF will shift freight from congested highways onto rail, connecting central Alabama seamlessly with the Port of Mobile.
With capacity to handle 30,000 shipping containers annually, the 272-acre site is already attracting billions in private investment. Once operational in 2027, the facility will provide daily express service from Mobile’s harbor to Montgomery’s automotive and manufacturing corridors.
Ships: Expanding the Maritime Industrial Base
The Port of Mobile anchors Alabama’s maritime future, but the story goes far beyond its docks. Companies like Master Boat Builders are investing in new facilities, with a recent $7.8 million expansion creating 85 jobs and adding drydock capacity.
Meanwhile, Austal USA is transforming Mobile into a critical node in the U.S. Navy’s submarine supply chain. In September 2025, Austal won a $450 million contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat to build a modular fabrication and outfitting facility for Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine components. Once completed in 2026, the new building will support roughly 1,000 jobs and allow Austal to fabricate, outfit, and transport submarine modules—supporting the Navy’s ambitious goal of delivering one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines each year.
Over the past two years, Austal has shifted from its aluminum-ship legacy into advanced steel production. In addition to its submarine work, the yard is building Offshore Patrol Cutters for the Coast Guard, surveillance ships, and rescue vessels—expanding both capacity and capabilities.
Recently, the U.S. Navy called for an “urgent” expansion of America’s Maritime Industrial Base, citing a need for 10,000 new jobs in the next decade. Alabama is rising to meet that challenge, merging centuries-old craftsmanship with modern technologies like robotics and additive manufacturing. The maritime sector already accounts for nearly 13,000 jobs and $57.8 billion in economic output across the state, with more growth on the horizon.
Whether your organization is tied to these sectors or something completely different, if you need sound environmental consulting, permitting or compliance support, give PPM a call.
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