News
Alabama 2016 export awards go to 8 companies
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Eight Alabama companies are being honored today with a Governor’s Trade Excellence Award for their successful exporting strategies. Across the state, companies large and small are involved in shipping their products to overseas customers. This year’s roster of award winners offers a glimpse of the wide ranging Alabama-made lineup, from high-tech satellite…
First Alabama-made Airbus moves from production to paint
MOBILE, Alabama – The Airbus assembly facility at Mobile Aeroplex reached another milestone this week when the first Alabama-made jetliner left the production floor at the new $600 million plant and entered the paint shop. Airbus announced the development at the Alabama facility on Wednesday with a message on Twitter: “1st aircraft now out of…
Alabama auto exports span the globe to set record
From the Far East to the Arabian Desert, Alabama-built vehicles continue to make their mark across the globe. The value of Alabama auto exports topped $7 billion last year, a record annual total and a 5.8 percent gain from 2014. Meanwhile, overseas shipments of Alabama-made motor vehicle parts reached $1.2 billion, an 18 percent increase.…
Huntsville to become ‘Gig City’ with Google Fiber
Huntsville leaders announced plans today for a new fiber network that will bring ultra-fast Internet service to residents and businesses in Alabama’s Rocket City. Mayor Tommy Battle and Huntsville Utilities CEO Jay Stowe were joined by the director of expansion for Google Fiber, Jill Szuchmacher, who announced that the technology company is bringing its high-speed…
Site selectors: Alabama primed for projects, but challenges remain
Alabama has clear strengths to capitalize on the current trends in economic development, but the state also faces challenges in landing today’s lucrative jobs and capital investment projects. That was the message at today’s Alabama Economic Growth Summit hosted by Yellowhammer Multimedia at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Hoover. During a…
Alabama Workforce System brand unifies job services
The Alabama Workforce Council has presented a new set of recommendations to Governor Robert Bentley, including the creation and implementation of a new unified and universal brand for the Alabama Workforce System. The idea goes beyond just a logo, said Ed Castile, deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, director of the worker training…
EDPA names Steve Spencer president as Bill Taylor retires
Former Alabama Power executive Steve R. Spencer has been elected president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, succeeding Bill Taylor, was has served in that role since 2009. The EDPA board today announced the move, which is effective April 1. Taylor is a former president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, and…
Alabama 2015 exports hover near record amid global struggles
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Despite headwinds in global markets, Alabama exports in 2015 held steady at near-record levels on growing overseas shipments of products such as transportation equipment, primary metals and machinery. Figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce show that Alabama exports totaled $19.37 billion last year, just below the all-time record of $19.58 billion…
Alabama-built Elantra stars in Hyundai Super Bowl 50 ads
Hyundai is showcasing the features of its redesigned 2017 Alabama-built Elantra sedan in Super Bowl 50 commercials starring actor Ryan Reynolds and a pair of frightening but chatty bears. The two spots are part of a Super Bowl blitz by the automaker, which has produced a total of four commercials for Sunday’s game. Hyundai is…
Alabama-made Ridgeline Super Bowl 50 spot leads the flock
Honda is using a flock of sheep to sing the praises of the automaker’s all-new 2017 Alabama-made Ridgeline pickup in a 60-second commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl 50. Honda this week offered a sneak peak of its “A New Truck to Love” spot featuring a talking dog and sheep singing the classic Queen tune “Somebody…