Demographic Dashboard
Our strong communities and diverse and growing population keep Macon County on rise.
With a large laborshed and high education standards, Macon’s strength is its people.
Aerospace
Moton FieldMacon County offers many benefits to the growing aerospace industry. We are flanked by Boeing to our south and the large aerospace complex to our north in Huntsville, with more than 80 aerospace industries and service providers within the region. Macon County is also centrally located to five large military bases with an aviation/aerospace mission.
The legendary Moton Field, located in Tuskegee, features a 5000+ foot runway, with plans to expand to 8400 feet and offers flight training and FBO services from Golden Eagle Aviation. It also boasts immediate access to Interstate 85 and available space for building and development on the airfield property. Other large sites are available just outside the airfield property, offering aerospace manufacturers of all sizes quick access and a great location. Major commercial airports are nearby, including Atlanta Hartsfield, Birmingham, and Montgomery.
The industry is growing as well, with Aerospace Engineering and Research graduates from Auburn and Tuskegee University – both programs located just a few miles from Moton Field. Engineering graduates have more than doubled in the past ten years with many seeking local opportunities. Just to our Northwest, the University of Alabama also offers an Aerospace Engineering degree as well.
Area Aerospace Companies
GKN
- Leading global tier one supplier of airframe and engine structures, landing gear, electrical interconnection systems, transparencies, and aftermarket services
- Supplies products and services to a wide range of commercial and military aircraft and engine prime contractors, and other tier one suppliers
GE Aviation
- Among the top aircraft engine suppliers
- Offers engines for the majority of commercial aircraft
Aerojet Rocketdyne
- American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer
BAE Systems, Inc.
- Aerospace and Defense company
- Top 10 supplier to the Pentagon
- Develops civilian and military aerospace equipment, guidance systems, and electronic warfare systems
Lockheed Martin
- Global aerospace, defense, securtity and technology company
- One of the largest companies in the aerospace industry, and largest defense company
- Develops aircraft, radar technologies, and other military systems
Our Companies
Than the US National Average
Than the US National Average
Than the US National Average
Education
Tuskegee University
- 5 Mechanical and Aerospace degree programs
- 51 graduates of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2015
- Access to several facilities such as wind tunnels and a satellite laboratory
- Only historically black college or university (HBCU) with an accredited aerospace engineering program
Auburn University
- 6 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering degree programs
- 297 graduates of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2015
- Provides unique cutting-edge educational and research opportunities, including space exploration, national defense, air transportation, communications and sustainable energy
- Covers areas including aeroacoustics, aerospace structures, orbital mechanisms, rocket propulsion and more
University of Alabama
- 8 Mechanical and Aerospace degree programs
- 476 graduates of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2016
Wallace State Community College Dothan
- The Aviation/Flight Technology program consists of flight and ground instruction, which will qualify students for various careers in the aviation industry
- Students will have the opportunity to acquire FAA certification for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot certificates
- An articulation agreement with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University allows WSCC aviation students to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics upon completion of their Wallace State course work
Aerospace Companies in our Labor Shed
- 32 Machine Shops
- 18 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing
- 14 Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing
- 4 Mineral Wool Manufacturing
- 4 Plate Work Manufacturing
- 3 Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- 3 Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing
- 3 Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing
Aerospace Companies vs US Average
- 417% more Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing
- 333% more Hardware Manufacturing
- 315% more Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding
- 303% more Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing
- 292% more Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing
- 238% more Stationery Product Manufacturing
- 192% more All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing
- 104% more Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing
Skilled Labor in our Labor Shed
- 1,929 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- 1,649 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- 1,525 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- 1,030 Computer Programmers
- 981 First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- 764 Machinists
- 625 Computer Occupations, All Other
- 572 Industrial Engineers
Skilled Labor Vs US Average
- 327% more Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- 196% more Extruding/Drawing Machine Setters/Operators/Tenders, Metal/Plastic
- 172% more Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- 140% more Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- 112% more Helpers- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- 99% more Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
- 96% more Computer Programmers
- 89% more Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Growth Occupations
- 34% more Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
- 24% more Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- 20% more Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- 18% more Computer Controlled Machine Tool Programmers, Metal/Plastic
- 17% more Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- 15% more Extruding/Drawing Machine Setters/Operators/Tenders, Metal/Plastic
- 13% more Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters/Operators/Tenders
- 13% more Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
