Regions Bank renews $1.5 billion commitment to Alabama Economic Development Loan Pool
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – It’s a source of capital that has financed nearly $3 billion in business activities since it was launched. It has helped Alabama land major new employers. It is helping small businesses expand their operations. And it is helping create or sustain thousands of jobs. But ask Kirk Barrett what he sees as…
Secretary Canfield to deliver keynote at Alabama Auto Show dinner
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield will deliver the keynote address at the Alabama Auto Show Industry Dinner on April 30 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. The dinner is meant to signify the important role auto retailing plays in the Birmingham area economy. An analysis by the Birmingham Auto Dealers Association pegs that impact at $2.5…
Regions Financial CEO Grayson Hall to chair SEUS Japan joint forum
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Grayson Hall, who leads Alabama’s only Fortune 500 company, has been named the 2015-16 private sector chairman for the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association as the group prepares for a joint meeting in Alabama with its Japanese counterpart. Hall, who serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Regions Financial Corp., will lead…
Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards honors export success
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Robert Bentley today honored eight homegrown companies with Trade Excellence Awards for their accomplishments in exporting Alabama-made products and services to customers around the globe, reflecting a key priority of his administration’s economic growth strategy. The companies receiving the award at a ceremony this morning in the Old House Chamber at the state Capitol demonstrate capabilities…
Alabama employment levels hit highest mark since 2008
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The number of Alabamians holding down a job in January reached the highest point since late 2008 as new jobs were added at a rapid pace, Governor Robert Bentley announced today. “For the past two months, more than 2 million people are working in this state, which hasn’t happened since November 2008.…
SBA to offer Emerging Leaders Initiative in Birmingham in April
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching an intensive executive-level training series next month in Birmingham that’s designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential small business enterprises. This is the first time SBA has held its free Emerging Leaders Initiative in Alabama’s largest city, but more than 2,400 small businesses across the…
Commerce names Ted Clem director of business development
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama Department of Commerce announced today that Ted Clem has been named director of business development, placing the veteran economic developer in a leading role in the agency’s efforts to recruit new jobs and investment. Clem, whose appointment is effective March 1, joined the Department of Commerce in February 2014 as…
Dai-ichi, Protective donate $4 million for advancements in Alabama
BIRMINGHAM – Tokyo-based Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co. teamed up with Birmingham-based Protective Life Corp. this morning to announce $4.1 million in donations that will have significant impacts on medical research, education and culture in Alabama. The donations announced today follow the Feb. 1 completion of a formal merger between Dai-ichi, Japan’s second largest life insurance…
Alabama exports climb to near record in 2014
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama exports climbed in 2014 to a near-record level, powered by shipments of Alabama-made automobiles to almost 100 countries, as well as rising overseas sales of products such as industrial machines, plastics, and iron and steel. Alabama’s exports totaled $19.518 billion last year, a gain of nearly 1.2 percent from 2013’s figure,…
Super Bowl XLIX turf has Alabama roots
FOLEY, Alabama — When Doug Lipscomb settles in to catch Super Bowl XLIX, he won’t be focusing on the heroics of two top quarterbacks, the titanic tussles of burly linemen, or even the pyrotechnics of the halftime extravaganza. Nope, his mind will be on the turf. “We will have a little get-together at the house, and…
