‘Business Facilities’ ranks Alabama a national leader in key sectors
Alabama and several of its metro areas have earned high marks in the 2025 “Business Facilities” Annual Rankings Report, reinforcing the state’s status as a national leader in key industries and a prime destination for business growth. The influential report — now in its 21st year — evaluates states and metro areas across more than 25…
How AIDT’s Aviation Training Center is powering Alabama’s aerospace workforce
When Airbus chose Mobile, Alabama, as the home for its first U.S.-based commercial aircraft assembly plant, it marked a transformative moment for the state’s aerospace industry. But behind the headlines and ribbon cuttings was another critical development: the establishment of the AIDT Aviation Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to build the skilled workforce Airbus needed to…
Commerce earns national honor for AIDT EV Technology Center
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Business Facilities magazine has named the Alabama Department of Commerce to its 2025 class of “Economic Development Organizations of the Year,” highlighting the $30 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Technology Center currently under construction by AIDT, the state’s workforce development agency. The EV Technology Center is a cornerstone of Alabama’s strategy to lead in electric vehicle manufacturing and…
Alabama offers free mental health and substance abuse training for employers
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce advises that businesses across the state can now take advantage of free training to help supervisors identify and respond to mental health and substance abuse issues in the workforce. The 8-hour training session is provided by the University of Alabama’s VitAL partnership, which uses education and training…
Alabama leaders kick off EV Technology Center project to boost training
TANNER, Alabama — Alongside state and local leaders, Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair today celebrated the official launch of construction on a cutting-edge $30 million workforce training center at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur. This new facility is set to propel the state’s automotive industry into the future by equipping workers with the skills…
Alabama gets high rankings in publication’s ‘Top States for Doing Business’ report
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering a thriving business environment, earning a No. 8 ranking in Area Development’s 2024 “Top States for Doing Business” report. This marks another year of Top 10 recognition for the state, as the national publication highlights Alabama’s competitive edge across multiple business-friendly categories. The…
Flight Works Alabama’s learning programs providing spark for aviation careers
MOBILE, Alabama — Flight Works Alabama — an institution set up to stimulate interest in aviation careers among young people — is delivering on its mission as its education and workforce development programs generate international attention. The facility in Mobile, created as a partnership between the State of Alabama and Airbus back in 2017, is…
Gov. Ivey: Unions want to target one of Alabama’s crown jewel industries, but I’m standing up for Alabamians and protecting our jobs
Sept. 30, 1993 marked a watershed moment in Alabama history. That is the day Mercedes-Benz went against the grain and chose our state to be the home of their first U.S. manufacturing facility. It was a decision that changed the future of our state like no one could have imagined. Fast forward more than 30…
New $30 million EV training center will support auto industry growth
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center in Decatur that will focus on electric vehicles and emerging technologies in order to position the state’s auto industry for the next chapter of its growth. The facility will be located on the campus of the Alabama Robotics…
Commerce teams in free mental health training for businesses
Business supervisors across Alabama can now receive free training on recognizing and responding to mental health issues among their employees. The 8-hour training session is provided by the University of Alabama’s ViTAL partnership, which uses education and training to help improve mental health in the state. The training is held at the business, or virtually.…
