Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway and City Council honored Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for being named Georgia's 2008 Manufacturer of the Year July 9.

Lockheed Martin has operated for the past 57 years in Marietta and Cobb County designing and manufacturing military aircraft.

"I realized a long time ago growing up in Marietta when my father was in the drugstore business back in the 1940s there were two kinds of people," Dunaway said. "There were those who made their living from Lockheed and people like me who made their living off Lockheed."

"I can never remember Lockheed not being a good citizen in Marietta," Dunaway said. "We owe so much here in Marietta to Lockheed."

Lockheed Martin builds the F-22 Raptor, the next generation fighter aircraft, which is used by U.S. Air Force Fighter Squadrons.

The C-130 Hercules, known as the aircraft workhorse for the military, is still in production today.  Although retired from service, the C-141 Starlifter contributed greatly to global missions.

As the need for larger and faster cargo aircraft was mandated, Lockheed Martin was chosen to build the C-5 Galaxy, an aircraft that has met and exceeded all mobility requirements for world-wide military deployments.

Lockheed Martin, the third largest employer in Cobb County, has a workforce of 7,100 employees and many are second and third generation employees, Dunaway said.  "The tradition continues at Lockheed Martin for producing the most technically advanced aircraft in the world."

"Lockheed Martin is continuously recognized for their active participation in support of non-profit organizations, such as March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Cobb, Relay for Life, Honorary Commanders, and Partners in Education," Dunaway said.  "Countless volunteer hours are given by Lockheed Martin employees in offering their time and talents within our community."

For more information, call the City Clerk's Office at 770-794-5526.