ew and expanding industrial projects in Mississippi are giving the state a reputation as a burgeoning center of transportation development. In addition to expansion of the mammoth Nissan plant in Canton and a new initiative at the venerable Stennis Space Center on the Gulf coast, a new project by one of the world's leading helicopter makers hovers over eastern Mississippi.

Eurocopter Lands In Golden Triangle

Lifting Mississippi's economic development efforts to new heights is the decision by American Eurocopter Corp. to build a manufacturing facility in the state's Golden Triangle, a region in the eastern portion of the state punctuated by the cities of Columbus, Starkville and West Point. A division of Eurocopter -- a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS) based near Marseilles, France -- American Eurocopter plans a 100,000-sq.-ft. (9,300-sq.-m.) plant on a 40-acre (16-hectare) site with taxiway access at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
        Globally, Eurocopter employs more than 10,000 on five continents. Nearly 9,000 Eurocopter helicopters fly in 133 countries for approximately 2,000 customers. EADS is the second largest aerospace firm in the world and Eurocopter holds 57 percent of the world market share of new helicopters. One of American Eurocopter's recent customers is the U.S. Border Patrol, which recently signed a contract to buy 13 choppers.
        "It is a top priority to increase our industrial presence and work force in the U.S, particularly in the areas of homeland security and defense," says Ralph Crosby, chairman and CEO of EADS North America. "Placement of this facility is an important strategic move and a positive step forward for EADS. The Golden Triangle area of Mississippi provides a highly competitive operating location."
        The new factory will produce components for Eurocopter's AS350, EC130 and AS355 models. It will also customize helicopters and include the final assembly of the AS350 series. Work will begin during the first quarter of 2003 in a temporary facility at Golden Triangle Regional Airport while the permanent facility is built on airport property.
        The company will eventually employ more than 100. American Eurocopter builds helicopters for a variety of uses including law enforcement, medical, corporate, news gathering and offshore work.
        "This new plant will play a vital role in the manufacturing and assembly of the world's most modern helicopter product line," says Marc Paganini, president and CEO of American Eurocopter.
        The Golden Triangle is a hotbed of aviation activity, making it attractive to any aeronautical firm looking for a new site, says Nick Ardillo, director of Golden Triangle Regional Airport. In addition to the airport, which is Mississippi's third largest, Ardillo cites Columbus Air Force base, a major pilot training facility and the Mississippi State University Dept. of Aerospace Engineering in Starkville, which includes the Respet Flight Research Lab, the largest and best-equipped university flight research facilities in the U.S.
        "We feel like we were a natural choice with this area being historically involved in aviation," says Ardillo, who adds that Eurocopter suppliers may be drawn to the area as well. Eurocopter-Golden Triangle, as the project is being called, will have an annual payroll of $5 million and an estimated economic impact of more than $17 million in the area.
        Headquartered in Grand Prairie, Tex., American Eurocopter announced in March 2002 that Mississippi was the choice for its new facility, inviting interested communities to make presentations. Twenty-five areas offered potential locations.
        "We visited sites during the summer and listened to their stories," says Bob Baldwin, American Eurocopter's senior director, financial services and contracts. "Based on that, we made a short list and revisited some sites."