News
NGA grant to help reskill Alabama workers displaced by pandemic
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The National Governors Association (NGA) has awarded Alabama a $100,000 Workforce Innovation Network and Workforce Innovation Fund grant to develop innovative policies for reskilling Alabamians who have been displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NGA grant will be used to support Alabama’s Skills-Based Recovery Initiative, which will provide integrated education, workforce, and…
Packaging Corp. of America plans $440 million project at Alabama mill
JACKSON, Alabama – Packaging Corp. of America (PCA) plans to launch a three-year, $440 million project to permanently convert a paper machine at its mill in Clarke County to produce linerboard used for corrugated packaging. Lake Forest, Illinois-based PCA announced that it discontinued the production of uncoated freesheet, used for copy paper and other applications,…
Alabama scores in Top 10 in publication’s 2020 economic development rankings
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama’s ability to overcome the complex challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to economic development earned the state a Top 10 ranking in “Site Selection” magazine’s annual Governor’s Cups analysis. Alabama ranked No. 9 among the states in job-creating economic development projects per capita, a measurement that places smaller states on a…
Ren Seafoods plans processing facility, distribution hub in Mobile
MOBILE, Alabama — Ren Seafoods plans to open a seafood processing facility and distribution hub in Mobile as part of a $12.4 million growth project that will create 54 jobs, according to the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “This project further cements Mobile as a prime location for logistics and warehousing,” said David Rodgers, the…
Polyplex USA plans $90 million expansion project at Alabama facility
DECATUR, Alabama – Polyplex USA announced plans today to invest over $90.6 million to expand production of specialized polyester film at its Decatur facility in a project that will create 100 jobs when complete. Polyplex plans to add a second Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) film line at the Alabama facility, with an additional investment…
Department of Defense launches aerospace research center at Tuskegee University
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — The U.S. Department of Defense has launched an Aerospace Education Research and Innovation Center (AERIC) at Alabama’s Tuskegee University, enhancing research in critical areas and expanding the future technical talent pipeline for the industry. In an announcement, the DOD said Tuskegee’s AERIC will support two-year research projects in the areas of fatigue…
Developer: How rural Chambers County’s comeback offers lessons
Few people understand the mechanics of rural economic development better than Valerie Gray, the executive director of the Chambers County Development Authority. After all, she and her team helped engineer a reversal of the county’s fortunes after its traditional industry imploded. Gray has led the CCDA for over 22 years. During her tenure, she has…
AM/NS Calvert kicks off construction on $775 million steelmaking facility
CALVERT, Alabama – With a groundbreaking ceremony this week, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel Corp. marked the official launch of a $775 million project to construct a massive new steelmaking facility at their AM/NS Calvert production site near Mobile. “Alabama and the steel industry go hand in hand, and I am proud to see continued growth…
Aircraft maintenance company plans operation at Selma’s Craig Field
SELMA, Alabama — Craig Field Executive Director Jim Corrigan announced that City Jet/Turbine Worx plans to open an aircraft maintenance operation and dispatch facility on Craig Field, a public airport and industrial facility. With the newly signed lease agreement, City Jet/Turbine Worx will operate on the flight line in Hangar 251 and create approximately 30…
SHOWA glove factory’s growth plans find perfect fit in Fayette
FAYETTE, Alabama – For Mike Kimple, director of manufacturing at the SHOWA Group factory in this northwest Alabama city, the mission is clear for the nation’s only domestic producer of single-use nitrile gloves. “We’re just trying to get every single glove we can out the door to fight this pandemic,” Kimple said. Every day, SHOWA’s…