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Fratco breaks ground on Fort Payne pipe plant, creating 60 jobs
FORT PAYNE, Alabama — Fratco, a century-old leader in corrugated plastic pipe manufacturing, has officially broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art production facility in Fort Payne. The company’s expansion into Alabama represents a major investment in the region’s industrial base and will create approximately 60 new jobs in manufacturing, logistics and administration.
4 days ago
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News in Rural Development
Georgia-Pacific to invest $800 million in Alabama River Cellulose Mill
PERDUE HILL, Alabama — Georgia-Pacific announced today that it plans to invest $800 million to modernize, expand and streamline the production capabilities of the company’s Alabama River Cellulose mill, making the Monroe County facility the largest softwood pulp mill in the U.S.
September 10, 2025
News in Export Alabama
Alabama expands global reach with new business development office in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan — During the 47th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS-Japan) Joint Meeting in Tokyo, the Alabama Department of Commerce today celebrated the opening of a new business development office in Japan, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s economic relationship with one of its most valued international partners.
3 days ago
News in Sectors
Fast-growing AI tax software firm SmartWiz to add 66 high-paying jobs in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair announced today that SmartWiz, a rapidly growing tax software technology company using advanced artificial intelligence to streamline the work of tax professionals, is expanding its operations in Birmingham with plans to create 66 high-paying jobs.
2 weeks ago
News in Innovation
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.
May 02, 2025
News in Workforce
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.
2 weeks ago
News in Enterprise
Alabama expands global reach with new business development office in Tokyo
TOKYO, Japan — During the 47th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS-Japan) Joint Meeting in Tokyo, the Alabama Department of Commerce today celebrated the opening of a new business development office in Japan, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s economic relationship with one of its most valued international partners.
3 days ago
News in Manufacturing
Fratco breaks ground on Fort Payne pipe plant, creating 60 jobs
FORT PAYNE, Alabama — Fratco, a century-old leader in corrugated plastic pipe manufacturing, has officially broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art production facility in Fort Payne. The company’s expansion into Alabama represents a major investment in the region’s industrial base and will create approximately 60 new jobs in manufacturing, logistics and administration.
4 days ago