Boeing Selects Rocket Plant Site

The Boeing Co. has selected Decatur, Ala., as the site of a new rocket booster plant that will create up to 3,000 jobs.

U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Ala., said he was notified by Boeing that the aerospace giant will begin construction of the 2 million square foot plant in November, with peak employment amounting to between 2,000 and 3,000 people.

Boeing is competing with Lockheed-Martin for the Air Force contract to build the new Delta IV family of rockets. If it wins the contract next spring, Boeing said it plans to manufacture a major component of the rockets, the common booster core, at the new Decatur plant.

Boeing plans to build the new Decatur plant even if doesn’t win that contract. Officials said the company will use it for manufacturing other rocket components.