News
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…
Lockheed Martin jump starts Alabama expansion, adding 240 jobs
TROY, Alabama — Governor Robert Bentley today announced that Alabama has partnered with Lockheed Martin to add an additional 240 employees by 2020 at the company’s Pike County Operations facility in Troy. “Lockheed Martin has been a strong employer in Pike County for 20 years, and today we celebrate the announcement of an enhanced partnership that…
Golden State Foods to invest $40 million in Opelika meat plant
OPELIKA, Alabama — California-based Golden State Foods plans to invest between $40 million and $45 million to open a state-of-the art meat processing facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, creating 173 jobs. “After careful consideration, we selected Opelika as the site for our new facility based on the strategic location along I-85, the available…
Canada’s Carlson expanding to Alabama, creating 75 jobs
ANNISTON, Alabama – The Calhoun County Economic Development Council announced Monday that Carlson Engineered Composites USA Inc., a Canadian firm that manufactures fiberglass components, plans to expand its operations to Anniston. The project represents a capital investment of $3 million and will create 75 new jobs in Calhoun County. The company will be locating in…
Alabama-made Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé to battle ‘Jurassic World’ dinosaurs
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Mercedes-Benz’s newest Alabama-made vehicle, the GLE Coupé, will race through the jungles of “Jurassic World,” the highly anticipated next installment of the blockbuster dinosaur movie series that previously featured the automaker’s first Alabama-made automobile. The GLE Coupé, which will enter mass production at the company’s Tuscaloosa County plant this year, is among several Mercedes vehicles…
Honda debuts redesigned Alabama-made Pilot at Chicago Auto Show
CHICAGO – Honda showed off its redesigned Alabama-made Pilot family SUV this morning at the Chicago Auto Show. Entering its third generation, the Pilot has received a complete makeover. Honda said the 2016 model has been totally re-engineered and redesigned to offer new technology, advanced safety features, class-leading fuel economy and enhanced utility. “The new…
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,…
Alabama Workforce Council proposals aim to create pathway to high-wage jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said proposals from the Alabama Workforce Council, a panel that studied ways to advance the state’s workforce development efforts, could create a pathway that steers more Alabamians into high-wage, high-demand jobs. Secretary Canfield said the panel’s recommendations come as employers in Alabama are demanding that workers have greater levels of…
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…