TOKYO, Japan – Governor Kay Ivey said today that meetings with high-level executives from Mazda, Toyota and Honda in Japan helped to fortify the state’s relationships with the global automakers and will facilitate their growth plans in Alabama. Governor Ivey, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and a team of Alabama economic development specialists are returning home…

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Birmingham Business Alliance today reported that economic development activity in the seven-county Birmingham region generated more than 3,000 anticipated jobs and nearly $575 million in new capital investment in 2017. The results were announced at the BBA’s annual Regional Economic Growth Summit this morning. The organization said 40 companies announced new…

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The Port of Mobile is poised to become a major hub of auto export activity, with a new facility that will allow vehicles to be driven directly onto cargo ships bound for markets around the world. On Tuesday, representatives of the Alabama State Port Authority and AutoMobile International Terminal, a joint…

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is leading a team of state business leaders on a trade mission in South America this week, aiming to forge new relationships and find new markets for their goods and services. The mission to Argentina and Ecuador features a wide variety of the state’s business interests,…

JASPER, Alabama – Auto parts maker Yorozu on Tuesday marked the grand opening of its $110 million manufacturing plant in Walker County, where hiring has been ramping up and will continue to grow. A grand opening ceremony at the Yorozu facility included a ribbon cutting, a tree planting and tours of the plant, followed by…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey recognized eight Alabama companies today for success in selling their goods and services in countries around the globe. Winners of the 2018 Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards represent a diverse swath of the state’s business landscape, including high-tech manufacturers, innovative software developers and a craft beer brewer. They were honored…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama exports totaled a record $21.7 billion in 2017, powered by rising overseas shipments of products such as automobiles, aircraft components, chemicals, paper, and minerals. New government trade figures show that exports of Alabama-made goods and services increased more than 6 percent from 2016’s total of $20.5 billion, the state’s previous annual…

David Knight, executive director of the Walker County Development Authority, remembers the day two decades ago when the Alabama Development Office’s David Echols gave county leaders some harsh truth. At a meeting, Walker County leaders questioned Echols, a senior project manager for ADO, about why they weren’t seeing project activity. Echols replied they wouldn’t see…

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The vibrant entrepreneurial tech scene in Birmingham is once again in the national spotlight, as Target plans to buy local grocery delivery service Shipt for $550 million in a blockbuster deal. The retail giant, which announced the acquisition in December, said it will have a major impact on efforts to increase convenience…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The U.S. Air Force has selected the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing for the new F-35A fighter jet program, a decision that’s expected to spur significant job creation and new investment. Governor Kay Ivey joined state and local officials to announce the decision today at a press conference at the…