News
International Space Station, made in Alabama, marks 15 years
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The International Space Station, partially designed and assembled in Alabama, celebrates its 15-year anniversary this month. On Dec. 4, 1998, Node 1 — known as “Unity” — was launched into space aboard the shuttle Endeavour and two days later connected with the Russian-built Zarya (“Sunrise”). And on Dec. 10, the hatches of…
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson addresses 300 aviation suppliers at event in Germany
HAMBURG, Germany — Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson told aviation company executives at a conference today in Germany that the Alabama city is an ideal location for supplier operations tied to Airbus’ passenger jet production center, now under construction at Brookley Aeroplex. “I’m here today — just a month since taking office as mayor — to…
Alabama leaders travel to Hamburg, Germany for Aviation Forum 2013
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama Department of Commerce Assistant Director of Business Development Bob Smith and a delegation of Alabama leaders have traveled to Germany to attend Aviation Forum 2013, a conference in Hamburg that largely attracts aviation suppliers looking to work with aerospace giant Airbus. “The Aviation Forum gives Alabama the opportunity to get in…
Nominations sought for Governor’s Trade Excellence Award 2014
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Applications are now being accepted for the 8th annual Governor’s Trade Excellence Award, presented by the Alabama Department of Commerce and the Alabama Export Trade Alliance. This prestigious program recognizes companies in Alabama that have excelled in selling their products or services overseas. Recipients include large, medium and small businesses as well…
Alabama officials talk to Boeing on work related to 777X assembly in Huntsville
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and other officials today met with Boeing Co. representatives to discuss the possibility of the aerospace company placing work related to the assembly of the 777X passenger jet in Huntsville, where Boeing already has a major presence. Leaders from the City of Huntsville and officials from the Alabama…
Meet Satoshi ‘Sam’ Kakuda, Alabama’s economic development point man in Japan
TOKYO, Japan — Before Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley arrived in Japan for this week’s economic mission and after he leaves on Friday, the state will continue to have a voice in Japan. For years, Satoshi “Sam” Kakuda, director of the Tokyo office for the Alabama Department of Commerce, has listened to the needs of Japanese…
Alabama team meets with top Toyota executives on Japan trade mission
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and top state economic development officials today met with high-ranking executives of Toyota at the global automaker’s headquarters as the Alabama team marked the second day of a trade mission to Japan. While in Toyota City, Governor Bentley met Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada and discussed the ongoing expansion…
Hancock Bank plans Montgomery operations center with 200 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Hancock Bank said today it will open a Central Alabama corporate center with 200 positions that will support the Gulfport, Miss.-based banking company’s five-state footprint stretching from southern Alabama to metropolitan Houston. At a press conference, the bank said it will occupy two full floors—approximately 40,000 square feet—at Montgomery’s Capitol Commerce Center.…
Alabama investment by Japanese firms tops $4 billion as expansions continue
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – As Governor Robert Bentley begins four days of talks with Japanese corporate leaders on an economic development mission, business ties between Alabama and the Asian country are strengthening as several Japanese firms add new investment to expand their operations in the state. In Alabama, many Japanese manufacturers have found a U.S. base…
Governor Robert Bentley to lead Alabama economic development mission to Japan
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Governor Robert Bentley will travel to Japan on an economic development mission with the goal of recruiting more jobs to Alabama and strengthening relationships with Japanese companies that already have facilities in the state. The governor will depart on Sunday, November 10, to begin a week-long series of meetings with various employers…