News

SEEDS grant fuels infrastructure improvements at Childersburg Industrial Park
CHILDERSBURG, Alabama — A new round of infrastructure improvements is set to bolster the Childersburg Industrial Park thanks to a $1.7 million SEEDS grant awarded to support critical upgrades in Talladega County. The funding will support the construction of 12,470 feet of gravity and force main sewer lines, along with a new pumping station —…

Master Boat Builders expands Alabama shipbuilding operations with $7.8 million project
CODEN, Alabama — Master Boat Builders Inc., a vessel and workboat manufacturer, today announced that it has invested $7.8 million to modernize and expand its shipbuilding operations in Mobile County by adding a new fabrication shop and floating drydock. The Mobile Chamber said today that the expansion project creates 85 new jobs, adding to Master…

Loftis Steel & Aluminum plans high-tech operation with 20 jobs in Decatur
DECATUR, Alabama — Loftis Steel & Aluminum, a family-owned steel fabrication company based in Nashville, Tennessee, is expanding its footprint with the launch of a new high-tech operation in Decatur with a $6.5 million investment. The growth project will create 20 new jobs in Limestone County, reinforcing Alabama’s strong position in advanced manufacturing. Loftis Steel…

PDW opens high-tech drone factory in Huntsville, eyes 500 jobs
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Performance Drone Works (PDW), a fast-rising force in next-generation unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), officially opened Drone Factory 01 on Wednesday — a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntsville that vastly expands the company’s production capacity and positions it to meet growing demand from U.S. and allied defense forces. With the new facility, PDW said it…

‘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…

CFM plans $7 million facility in Heflin, bringing jobs and growth to Cleburne County
HEFLIN, Alabama — Contour Fabrications and Mechanical (CFM), a provider of mechanical maintenance and reel refurbishment services, is launching a new operation in Cleburne County, marking a milestone in rural industrial growth in Alabama. The project represents a $7 million investment and is expected to create 20 to 30 jobs, providing a valuable economic boost to the…

L3Harris expands Huntsville solid rocket motor facility with plans for more growth
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — L3Harris Technologies hosted local and state leaders and customers in Alabama’s “Rocket City” on Monday to showcase the company’s newest Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production facility, known as Advanced Manufacturing Facility-South (AMF-South). The site, the size of more than six football fields, is designed and equipped to support surging production demands and…

Alabama expands entertainment incentives to boost state’s music and creative industries
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law a major expansion of Alabama’s entertainment tax incentive program, aimed at accelerating growth across the state’s film, television, and now music sectors. Senate Bill 177 modernizes the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act of 2009 by extending support to music productions, setting realistic thresholds and establishing greater…

Macon County secures $2.7 million SEEDS grant and road funding to boost industrial growth
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — Macon County is charting a new course for economic growth, thanks to a pair of state-backed investments designed to enhance industrial readiness and attract job-creating projects. The Alabama Department of Commerce has awarded a $2.7 million SEEDS (Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy) grant to the Macon County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA)…

Commerce’s Angela Smith named EDAA Young Professional of the Year
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Angela Smith, a Senior Project Manager with the Alabama Department of Commerce, has been honored as the Young Professional of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA). The award was presented this week during EDAA’s Summer Conference held in Point Clear. Smith, who joined Commerce in 2015, served as the department’s Incentives Manager…


