News
Alabama 2015 scorecard: Project investment tops $7 billion
Alabama attracted more than $7 billion in capital investment in 2015, along with nearly 20,000 new and future jobs, as the state’s economic development team secured high-caliber projects in key growth sectors such as technology, aerospace and automotive. At a press conference at the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility in Vance today, Governor Robert Bentley released the…
World-famous Barber Motorsports Park gears up for Indy races
Barber Motorsports Park is preparing to welcome about 80,000 visitors this weekend for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, the annual three-day event that showcases the Birmingham racing venue. Many will take in the sights at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of motorcycles and is undergoing a major…
Alabama mom’s special needs shopping cart makes splash
Drew Ann Long, the Alabama mom who created a shopping cart for children with special needs that has captured the attention of Target, Walmart and other major retailers, has no plans to slow down. Long and her invention, Caroline’s Cart, have been in the media spotlight in recent months, since Target said it was putting…
Alabama Robotics Park Phase 3 center readies for training
TANNER, Alabama — There’s a new state-of-the-art tool in Alabama’s worker training effor. Gov. Robert Bentley and other officials today are cutting the ribbon on Phase 3 of the Robotics Technology Park, an $80 million, 85-acre campus in Limestone County where employees from Alabama companies receive training on the latest equipment from top industrial robot…
Alabama Renewal Act gives state new recruitment tools
MOBILE, Alabama – At a ceremony this morning at the Port of Mobile, Governor Robert Bentley signed the Alabama Renewal Act into law, giving the state’s economic development team new tools as they pursue new jobs and investment. “The signing of the Alabama Renewal Act is another clear signal that Alabama is serious about economic…
Birmingham region attracts $1.1 billion in 2015 investment
The Birmingham Business Alliance said today that economic development activity during 2015 in its seven-county region resulted in more than 3,500 new and future jobs, along with nearly $1.1 billion in capital investment. The BBA said significant project announcements in 2015 included: Auto supplier Kamtek’s $535 million expansion at its Birmingham manufacturing facility, which included…
Auto supplier Mando launching $19 million Alabama expansion
OPELIKA, Alabama – Mando America Corp. plans to invest $19 million in its Alabama manufacturing operation and hire 32 new workers to support the expansion, officials said Tuesday night. South Korea-based Mando, one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers, has based its North American headquarters in Opelika, where it makes brake components, suspension modules…
Alabama blacksmiths lend talents to Belgium war memorial
A group of Alabama blacksmiths is helping to create a war memorial that will be erected in Ypres, Belgium, later this year. Athens Forge is made up of professional blacksmiths, hobbyists and other people who are interested in the ancient craft. The 45-member group, one of nine across the state that comprise the nonprofit Alabama…
Alabama firm unveils new high-performance pickups
A Trussville-based specialty vehicle manufacturer has debuted the latest versions of an off-road, high-performance pickup that’s a key part of its product lineup. SCA Performance is rolling out to dealers the redesigned 2016 Black Widow, which is built on both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra platforms. Features of the new Black Widow include a…
Honda debuts redesigned Alabama-made Acura MDX
Honda debuted a redesigned 2017 Acura MDX luxury sport utility at the New York International Auto Show, making it the latest in a string of new or updated models joining production lines in Alabama. The all-new MDX, which will be built at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Talladega County, is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms…