Following a post-recession drop in employment numbers, the space industry in Arizona is on the rebound.
Between 2010 and 2014, the aerospace manufacturing industry in the state lost close to 1,700 jobs, reported the Arizona Daily Star. Since last year however, the sector seems to be bouncing back and more jobs are expected to be added within the coming months.
Just last week Vector Space Systems announced plans to build a manufacturing plant in Tucson at the new aerospace that is continuing to be built up. It is projected that the new plant will employ 200 people.
According to Aviation Pros, industry leaders in Tucson are also working with eight other companies that could create upwards of 3,500 jobs.
Economist George Hammond of the University of Arizona told the source that as of August, the Tucson area had 11,400 aerospace employees according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.
“Job growth in aerospace is a hopeful sign, and adding to what’s already a large cluster in Tucson is a good thing,” said Hammond.