Airbus breaks ground for first U.S. assembly line in Alabama
MOBILE, Alabama — As community leaders, elected officials, suppliers, construction officials and more spoke at the Airbus groundbreaking for the company’s first U.S. final assembly line (FAL) this morning, each concluded their remarks with the same theme: “It is a groundbreaking day.” It is a groundbreaking day for Airbus, as it expands its global footprint…
Safran Engineering Services, first Alabama Airbus supplier, marks opening in Mobile
MOBILE, Alabama –- The first Airbus supplier to land in Mobile Brookley Aeroplex, Safran Engineering Services, did some celebrating of its own today before the aviation giant staged a groundbreaking ceremony at the site where it will produce the A320 family of passenger jets. At a grand-opening ceremony this morning, Bruno Bernard, chief executive of…
Commercial Jet Inc. to invest $12 million in Dale County aircraft maintenance operation
DOTHAN, Alabama – Governor Robert Bentley, House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield joined company and community leaders here today in announcing that Commercial Jet Inc. will invest $12 million to open a new 400,000-square-foot facility at Dothan Regional Airport in Dale County. The facility will employ hundreds of people.…
Alabama ranks among best states for small businesses
MONTGOMERY, Alabama –Alabama is among the best states for small businesses, according to a national survey by Thumbtack.com and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Alabama ranked No. 2 for overall small business friendliness in the 2013 survey, trailing only Utah. Alabama’s rank improved from No. 10 among the states in a 2012 survey. In the…
Department of Commerce unveils Made in Alabama brand at press event
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce this morning launched a new branding campaign – Made in Alabama – designed to build on the economic development momentum that has created more than 38,000 jobs in the past two years. Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield unveiled the brand at a press event this morning, uncovering a…
Governor Bentley Comments on 2012 New & Expanding Industries
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley today released details from the 2012 New and Expanding Industries Report, which showed a second year of steady growth for new jobs in Alabama and capital investment across the state. Companies establishing new operations in Alabama or expanding facilities already in the state announced capital investments exceeding $5.4…
Alabama bioscience industry targeted for growth
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Alabama bioscience industry already has strengths, but officials in the field have a strategy to expand the sector’s reach, just as state officials once did to nurture a fledgling automotive manufacturing industry into a top producer. Alabama’s current bioscience palette – according to BioAlabama, the state affiliate of the Biotechnology Industry…
HudsonAlpha Institute builds base in Huntsville for biotech research
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — A biotechnology park – the brainchild of the successful Huntsville entrepreneurs behind the HudsonAlpha Institute – showcases the promise of biotechnology in Alabama. Entrepreneur Lonnie McMillian co-founded ADTRAN, the second largest supplier of telecommunications equipment in the U.S. Jim Hudson Jr. created Research Genetics, the world’s leader in genetic linkage products. Research Genetics…
Mercedes-Benz recruiter sees more expansion for Alabama auto manufacturing sector
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Billy Joe Camp had a front-row seat for Project Rosewood, the recruiting effort that brought Mercedes-Benz to Alabama, and has witnessed every development in the Alabama auto manufacturing industry ever since. He remains bullish on the sector’s prospects after two decades of dynamic growth. Back in 1993, Camp headed the Alabama Development Office,…
Expansions, new projects fuel growth of manufacturing jobs across Alabama
A manufacturing boom means Alabama is poised to produce more automobiles, engines, ships, railcars and airplane components. It also means thousands of new manufacturing jobs across a state whose economy continues to be reshaped by industrial projects. “Industrial development throughout the state remains in high gear with many companies announcing expansions to their existing operations or…