Automotive industry is Alabama’s meal ticket in 21st century

Let’s face it n the world is taking a closer look at Alabama, and recognizing that her people are of good character and work ethics, and are able to produce world-class quality products.

That expansion

comes in the wake of Gov. Don Siegelman’s announcement on Tuesday that Masaaki Kato, president and CEO of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) has committed to a major expansion project at the already productive Lincoln, Ala. Honda facility.

That expansion, according to projections, will double the production capacity of the facility, and create an additional 2,000 Alabama jobs.

The expansion, which will cost approximately $425 million, will place a second assembly line in the facility, bringing online the addition of some 300,000 engines produced annually n bringing Honda’s investment in Alabama to more than $1 billion.

That is great news for our citizens, but one that has been long overdue.

Alabamians should take great pride in the fact that four major worldwide auto producers have chosen our soil for their American ventures, and look forward to the day when all of our people are again on the rolls of working citizen status.

What we should continue to do at this point, is encourage our youth to excel in school, especially in the areas of technology, and encourage our legislators to insure that adequate funding will be available to keep our schools at the top of the technology mountain, preparing our future n our children, for better tomorrows.