Virginia Transformer plant will bring 1,100 jobs to northwest Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Manufacturer Virginia Transformer on Tuesday announced plans for a 600,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art power transformer plant in Muscle Shoals. When complete, the facility will employ 1,100 people. Construction at the Shoals Research Airpark in Colbert County will begin immediately and initial production is expected to begin in January 2028. Virginia Transformer, based in…
Alabama’s workforce training agency earns top marks in international quality audit
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – AIDT, Alabama’s premier workforce training agency, has received “Unconditional Approval” following its ISO 9001:2015 audit by the Performance Review Institute (PRI) — the highest possible outcome, affirming that the agency’s quality management systems meet every international standard with zero findings and zero corrective actions required. The result is more than a certification…
Alabama expands aviation training to meet soaring industry demand
OPELIKA, Alabama — Southern Union State Community College celebrated a significant milestone as the first class of its Aviation Maintenance Technology program graduated, marking another step forward in Alabama’s ongoing effort to strengthen the talent pipeline for the aerospace and aviation industries. Nineteen Southern Union students recently completed the two-year program, making them eligible to…
Gov. Ivey announces launch of Alabama Department of Workforce to transform state’s economic future
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey today announced the launch of the Alabama Department of Workforce (ADOW), a milestone that marks the most comprehensive transformation of workforce efforts in state history. The new department was officially unveiled during a kickoff event on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol, bringing together industry leaders, education partners, government officials…
‘Business Facilities’ ranks Alabama a national leader in key sectors
Alabama and several of its metro areas have earned high marks in the 2025 “Business Facilities” Annual Rankings Report, reinforcing the state’s status as a national leader in key industries and a prime destination for business growth. The influential report — now in its 21st year — evaluates states and metro areas across more than 25…
How AIDT’s Aviation Training Center is powering Alabama’s aerospace workforce
When Airbus chose Mobile, Alabama, as the home for its first U.S.-based commercial aircraft assembly plant, it marked a transformative moment for the state’s aerospace industry. But behind the headlines and ribbon cuttings was another critical development: the establishment of the AIDT Aviation Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to build the skilled workforce Airbus needed to…
Commerce earns national honor for AIDT EV Technology Center
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Business Facilities magazine has named the Alabama Department of Commerce to its 2025 class of “Economic Development Organizations of the Year,” highlighting the $30 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Center currently under construction by AIDT, the state’s workforce development agency. The EV Technology Center is a cornerstone of Alabama’s strategy to lead in electric vehicle manufacturing and…
Alabama offers free mental health and substance abuse training for employers
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce advises that businesses across the state can now take advantage of free training to help supervisors identify and respond to mental health and substance abuse issues in the workforce. The 8-hour training session is provided by the University of Alabama’s VitAL partnership, which uses education and training…
Alabama leaders kick off EV Technology Center project to boost training
TANNER, Alabama — Alongside state and local leaders, Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair today celebrated the official launch of construction on a cutting-edge $30 million workforce training center at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur. This new facility is set to propel the state’s automotive industry into the future by equipping workers with the skills…
Alabama gets high rankings in publication’s ‘Top States for Doing Business’ report
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering a thriving business environment, earning a No. 8 ranking in Area Development’s 2024 “Top States for Doing Business” report. This marks another year of Top 10 recognition for the state, as the national publication highlights Alabama’s competitive edge across multiple business-friendly categories. The…
