Boeing Chooses Alabama for Rocket Plant

Despite pressure from public officials to expand its operations in Southern California,Boeing Co. said it will build its new Delta IV rocket manufacturing plant in Decatur, Ala. The giant Seattle aerospace company said it chose the site for its 2-million-square-foot plant, which will employ up to 3,000 workers, because it was the most cost-effective. The new plant will build the common booster core for the latest version of the Delta rockets in a competition for the $1.4-billion Air Force development contract. Among the cities losing out on the new plant was Huntington Beach, where Boeing operates its Space and Defense Systems unit. Boeing acquired the unit as well as a chance to win the Air Force contract with its purchase of McDonnell Douglas Corp. in August.