Back in January of 2008, Alabama Governor Bob Riley had big expectations for Enterprise-Ozark Community College.

Those expectations rested on the completion of new aviation building. A building officials hoped would make the program a huge success.

A year later, Governor Riley says so far so good.

"Today we have the capacity to turn out about 950 to 1000 students every year and 1000 students a year with AP certification," said Riley.

EOCC's aviation program is among three others in the state of Alabama. Governor Riley's visit on Tuesday took him through the three aviation buildings, visiting classrooms and students who he hopes will soon make an impact in the state.

Riley said, "Today we have over 300 aviation and aerospace companies operating presently in the state of Alabama."

Creating jobs for students like Bron Taylor who, like many others, wanting a better life but not at the cost of a 4 year tie to a university.

"You know, it's a two-year college, its not very much money to get into it and you get more out of it than you put into it."

While they may not realize it, students like Taylor are doing more than getting an education for themselves.

MG James O. Barclay with Ft. Rucker Army Post said, "This is a great institution, it's not only important to Ft. Rucker and the Wiregrass area but it's important to our state, it's important to our nations future because of the training they give these great Americans."

Governor Riley hopes to see expand in the years to come.

Recently, officials around the state took a trip to Paris to make connections with national businesses. Governor Riley says he hopes trips like those will shed light on the state's growing aviation programs.