The company's operations in Alabama span a wide range of research, design, development and manufacturing activities, including space and defense work, commercial airplanes and supporting services. Boeing Research & Technology in Alabama includes hundreds of engineers who develop artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies, modeling and simulation, advanced materials and cybersecurity technologies. The company works with nearly 200 businesses across the state and recorded making $689 million in vendor purchases in 2018, directly and indirectly supporting 20,000 jobs. Community outreach is a key component of Boeing's impact in Alabama as well, as the company had $1.7 million in charitable contributions last year. "It's hard to overstate Boeing's influence on Alabama's economy and aerospace industry," said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.