When European airplane maker Airbus announced plans to build its first U.S.-based production facility in Mobile on July 2, all of Alabama — not just Mobile — celebrated the announcement.

As with previous major industry announcements, especially Hyundai’s decision to move to Alabama in 2002, facilities in Dallas County were immediately looked at as possible destinations for suppliers.

This week, we learned many City of Selma and Dallas County officials are working hard to ensure our name is where it needs to be when Airbus announces areas where suppliers will be headquartered.

We feel confident that Craig Field will be selected as a supplier’s destination.

The facility has gone through numerous renovations and upgrades in recent years, and it’s runway and rail lines are built to impress.

Not only can Airbus officials fly anything needed into and out of Craig Field, but they can utilize the railroads that run along Alabama Highway 41 to ship items for extremely low prices.

No matter how you look at it, Craig Field has the facility to support suppliers.

We applaud our city and county leaders who have touted the facility to Airbus executives, and know that they will continue to do all it takes to get our name to where it needs to be.

This is, no doubt, a wonderful opportunity for Mobile. But positive effects will be felt by many more areas than just Mobile.

The company’s CEO said Airbus was hoping to move major component work to North America — and particularly the southeastern U.S. — in coming years.

This means Selma, and particularly Craig Field, have as good a chance as any to show its talents and attract a major industry to the area, just as it did with Hyundai a few years ago.

Attracting suppliers to the area would also help a struggling economy, and we have all the faith in the world that they’re headed our way.