News
Priester’s Pecans, landmark Alabama brand, plans to harvest future growth
FORT DEPOSIT, Alabama – For more than 85 years, Priester’s Pecans has helped families across Alabama and beyond celebrate the holidays, and the Lowndes County company continues to write new chapters in its storied history. The pecan processor and handmade candy operation is in the middle of its busiest time of the year, as more…
Fill your holiday table with bounty from rural Alabama
From juicy turkeys to decadent desserts, Alabama’s rural counties can help fill your holiday table with a tasty spread. Small farms, major food manufacturers and longtime family businesses contribute to the bounty, while also being key drivers of jobs, investment and economic growth in their communities. “The companies behind some of Alabama’s most beloved flavors…
Ferroglobe unit sets plan to restart silicon metal facility in Selma
SELMA, Alabama — Alabama officials announced today Globe Metallurgical Inc. (GMI), a subsidiary of Ferroglobe PLC, a leading producer of silicon metal and specialty alloys, is moving forward with a plan to restart an idled silicon metal facility in Selma. The Dallas County facility will employ about 100 people and conduct business with 150 local…
Bet on rural tech jobs pays off with new Alabama HQ for Provalus
BREWTON, Alabama – Provalus, an information technology services firm that seeks to tap talent in underserved communities, has opened a 55,000-square-foot headquarters in Brewton, a small city located in rural South Alabama. Governor Kay Ivey joined company leaders and local officials at a ceremony this week to mark the official opening of the new Provalus…
Startups in unique Techstars accelerator to share future of energy at Demo Day
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Nine entrepreneurs participating in a specialized energy-focused accelerator in Birmingham will outline the vision behind their business plans at a live Demo Day event on Tuesday. The founders of these promising startups traveled from seven states and Canada to participate in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator. The companies specialize in technologies and…
2021 Made in Alabama Holiday Gift Guide features down-home innovations
Buying local has taken on a new urgency this holiday season, and Alabama’s artisans, manufacturers and other homegrown businesses offer plenty of options to help check off your shopping list. Whether your loved one is a fashionista, budding gardener, avid sportsman or someone with a serious sweet tooth, there’s something for everyone in the 2021…
Donated Mercedes SUVs add horsepower to auto training programs
VANCE, Alabama – As Mercedes-Benz U.S. International continues to expand its $6 billion Alabama auto assembly operation, the company is also investing in schools and training programs across the state, including those in rural counties. In turn, the schools and training programs are helping to fill the automaker’s worker pipeline, a crucial part of its…
Bounty of projects sets stage for $1.6 billion in new Alabama investment
Alabama’s economic development team has plenty to be thankful for this November, as growth projects announced during the month are poised to pump over $1.6 billion in new capital investment into the state’s economy. The bounty of projects, involving a range of industries from bioscience to food products and logistics, will create more than 2,000…
FedEx plans $57M logistics facility in Dothan as Alabama hubs multiply
DOTHAN, Alabama — FedEx Ground plans to open a $57 million logistics facility in Houston County, adding another hub to the robust network of distribution and logistics centers that has been expanding across Alabama through a series of new projects. Officials in Houston County said the 317,000-square-foot FedEx Ground facility will stand on a 70-acre…
J.M. Smucker to build $1.1 billion Alabama manufacturing plant with 750 jobs
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The J.M. Smucker Co. announced plans today to build a new manufacturing facility and distribution center in Alabama to support production of Smucker’s Uncrustables, generating large-scale job creation in the Birmingham area. With a total financial investment of $1.1 billion, the facility in the Jefferson County community of McCalla will be constructed…