Made In Alabama’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is a perfect time to tap into the creativity and innovation of Alabama’s craftsmen and entrepreneurs. With that in mind, Made in Alabama is rolling out its second Holiday Gift Guide showcasing original homegrown products that are ideal for sharing with friends or family members this holiday season. Last year’s list featured…
Made-in-Alabama gift: Pens crafted from Bourbon barrels
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The handcrafted ink pens Joel Lockridge fashions in a small woodworking shop at his Birmingham area home are fueling a mini export boom from Alabama to parts all over the world. “I’ve now shipped to 27 countries and counting — some I’ve even had to Google to figure out exactly where I was shipping,” Lockridge said.…
4 Alabama metros rank in Top 100 of ‘America’s Smartest Cities’
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Four Alabama metropolitan areas ranked among the nation’s 100 “Smartest Cities” in an analysis that examines which metro areas are gaining brainpower in the 21st Century. To compile its list, researcher NewGeography scored the nation’s 380 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on three criteria related to gains in educational attainment since 2000.…
Sylacauga Marble Quarry venture plans rebirth for Alabama white marble
SYLACAUGA, Alabama – The belt of white marble that runs beneath this central Alabama city once yielded gleaming columns, panels and other architectural elements found in monuments, government buildings, hotels and banks across the nation. For several decades, however, creamy Alabama marble has been in short supply for high-profile commercial and government projects. A new…
Alabama’s October jobless rate falls to 6.3% amid positive signs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – A report on Alabama’s unemployment rate in October points to continuing improvement in the state’s economy. Consider: October’s preliminary rate was 6.3 percent, down from September’s rate of 6.6 percent and even with the rate a year ago. The number of employed Alabamians reached 1,948,000, the highest figure since December 2008, before…
Trade mission adds to Alabama bioscience sector growth push
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Officials believe the Alabama biosciences sector is poised for a healthy growth spurt after a weeklong trade mission to Europe added momentum to a strategic push to promote state bio companies and research organizations. An Alabama team of bioscience firms, research outfits, trade experts, and economic development officials returned Friday, Oct. 24,…
Steris to add 100 jobs with Birmingham expansion
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Ohio-based Steris Corp. announced today that it will relocate the headquarters of its global specialty services business to Birmingham and add 100 jobs to its Alabama workforce. Steris said it will spend $8 million to renovate the former U.S. Pipe headquarters in Birmingham’s Sloss Business District to serve as the new global…
Consultants rank Alabama a top state for business, Area Development says
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Site selection consultants surveyed by national economic development publication Area Development ranked Alabama a top state for doing business and gave high marks to the state for its labor climate and business environment. Alabama placed No. 4 in Area Development’s 2014 survey of the “Top States for Doing Business,” the fifth consecutive…
Firms in Airbus project form non-profit to revitalize Mobile’s Doyle Park
MOBILE, Alabama — Several firms involved in the Airbus construction project at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, the Mobile Airport Authority, and several community residents are spearheading an effort to rejuvenate a downtrodden, 24-acre city park in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood adjacent to the industrial complex. Doyle Park, located at 1728 Rosedale Road, was originally…
Business Facilities ranks Alabama No. 1 for auto manufacturing, gives high marks
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Business Facilities magazine today ranked Alabama the top state for automotive manufacturing strength, citing accelerated job growth and production gains for Alabama’s auto industry, as well as potential for additional expansion. In its “2014 Rankings Report,” Business Facilities, a publication that targets site selectors and key industry decision-makers, gave Alabama high marks…
