News
Alabama team uncovers potential growth projects at Farnborough Airshow
LONDON — Alabama’s business recruitment team completed its mission to the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow with its sights set on over a half-dozen growth project opportunities and fresh insights into the trends shaping the future of aerospace, aviation and defense. While in London and at the Farnborough exhibition venue, the Alabama working team engaged in…
Alabama students bring invention, ingenuity to aerospace industry
Universities across Alabama have become hubs of aerospace innovation, with student and faculty projects that offer promising contributions for the global industry. The latest crop of this work involves plum NASA grants, deep dives into weather system data, space craft development and competitions on the national stage. “The spirit of ingenuity is abundant on Alabama’s…
Alabama students target international rocketry crown at Farnborough
A team of high school students from Alabama will compete for global honors in rocket building at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow. The students from Tharptown High School in Russellville won the American Rocketry Challenge in May, topping 922 teams in the overall competition and the top 100 that faced off in the national finals…
Aviation training takes off in rural communities with historic ties to flight
After attracting nearly $6 billion in new investment since 2020, Alabama’s rural counties are becoming a go-to location for companies involved in activities that include solar panel manufacturing, aluminum auto parts and graphite processing. And don’t forget flight training. In fact, two rural Alabama communities are hosting new aviation academies. As part of a project…
Huntsville operations support Boeing’s critical defense missions
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Boeing helped build the foundation of Alabama’s aerospace industry and continues to advance its operations in the state. In the past year, the company marked several milestones in its missile defense programs and also celebrated a university partnership that is shaping the next-generation workforce. In November, Boeing broke ground on an expansion…
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…
ULA eyes more Vulcan launches after expansion of Alabama rocket factory
DECATUR, Alabama — United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for a busy schedule of rocket launches after completing of a $300 million-plus expansion project that made its Alabama rocket factory the largest facility of its kind in the world. The growth in Decatur will allow ULA to nearly double it launch rate. “We are grateful…
Investment firm launching aerospace hub in Northwest Alabama
CHEROKEE, Alabama — A new hub of aerospace manufacturing is on the horizon in rural Alabama. AE Industrial Partners is moving forward with its plans to transform a vast industrial facility in Colbert County into a high-tech center of innovation for aerospace and defense companies. The Boca Raton, Florida-based private equity firm, which specializes in…
Growing Alabama funds heading to 7 communities for site development
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that the Renewal of Alabama Commission has allocated over $15.5 million in Growing Alabama funding to seven economic development organizations across the state to speed the development of industrial sites. The Growing Alabama program provides a tax credit to eligible taxpayers who make contributions to economic development…
Small Businesses Get Training Boost from Alabama SBDC
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — With funding from the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Alabama Small Business Development Center at The University of Alabama launched the AssistAL program to significantly increase its capacity for technical assistance in the form of advising and training to help business owners get the capital they need. Reauthorized and expanded by…