Innovation Week to showcase Birmingham’s dynamic innovation ecosystem
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Birmingham’s rich entrepreneurial landscape will be in the spotlight this week, as inventors, investors and the new technologies they created are celebrated. Innovation Week Birmingham events include a solar eclipse viewing party, a panel discussion on how technology is changing Birmingham’s hospitality industry and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s “imerge” event…
INNOVATION: New UAB Accelerator to power startup growth
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A new effort at the University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks to provide critical support for startups when they are in the earliest stages of development. The UAB Commercialization Accelerator will officially launch next week during Innovation Week Birmingham, an annual event that spotlights new technologies and inventions, along with the entrepreneurs…
Alabama forest products industry poised for gains after strong year
After a banner year for the forest products industry in Alabama, the sector is primed for even more growth and innovation. Last year, Alabama recorded forest products industry projects involving $1.2 billion in new investment and more than 1,000 anticipated jobs, according to the Alabama Forestry Association and the 2016 New and Expanding Industry Report…
Secretary Canfield: Alabama in running for projects with 11,000 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the state is competing for economic development projects with more than 11,000 jobs in key industry sectors such as automotive, aerospace, forest products and technology. This promising pipeline of projects follows what has already been a strong year for economic development, Secretary Canfield told members of…
Business Facilities gives high rankings to Alabama, cities
Business Facilities magazine gives Alabama high rankings for its workforce training programs, auto manufacturing strength and overall manufacturing employment, while touting the economic growth potential of Mobile and Huntsville. In its 13th annual ranking report, the economic development-focused publication singled out Huntsville as the nation’s top metro area in aerospace/defense, citing its large concentration of…
Gateway Tire to invest $11 million in Alabama distribution center
DOTHAN, Alabama – Officials with Gateway Tire announced plans today to invest $11 million to open a 200,000-square-foot tire distribution center in Dothan’s Westgate Industrial Park, adding heft to the area’s strong distribution/logistics sector. The project will create 30 jobs initially, with more possible in the future. Governor Kay Ivey, who attended a groundbreaking ceremony…
Updated Alabama Launchpad competition spotlights entrepreneurs
AUBURN, Alabama – Alabama’s entrepreneurs have a growing list of opportunities to showcase their innovative ideas. The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama is expanding its successful startup competition, and the newest site is Auburn. EDPA is partnering with the City of Auburn, Auburn University’s Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and the Auburn Research and Technology…
North Alabama aviation firm upgrading Austrian Air Force helicopters
GUNTERSVILLE, Alabama – An aviation company that upgrades Black Hawk helicopters is deepening its roots in North Alabama while expanding its customer base around the world, starting with an order for the Austrian Air Force. Huntsville-based Ace Aeronautics, which does business as Global Aviation Solutions (GAS), has about 50 employees and plans to add another…
Recruiters to showcase Alabama craft beer at investment summit
Alabama’s craft beer boom will be showcased next week at a conference that is expected to attract investors from across the globe. State business recruiters will be working the SelectUSA Investment Summit, which promotes foreign direct investment in the U.S. During the summit, held in the Washington D.C. area, they plan to serve several varieties…
Alabama wins Silver Shovel award for economic development
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Area Development, an economic development-focused publication, awarded Alabama a Silver Shovel for solid business recruitment and support in 2016, keeping alive a winning streak stretching back a decade. In announcing the award, Area Development noted that Alabama’s economic development team continues to build on a proven track record of success. “It’s almost…
