News
Innovative workforce development initiative JumpStartAL launches
Officials today announced JumpStartAL, a private-public partnership to help carry out Alabama’s strategy for the future of workforce development. Using leading edge virtual reality (VR) training solutions from job simulator TRANSFRVR, JumpStartAL will offer new education and training programs to develop the state’s next generation of highly skilled workers. “Alabama is focused on the future,”…
Pinnacle Renewable Energy plans $95 million wood pellet plant in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey today announced that Alabama Pellets LLC, a subsidiary of Canada-based Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc., plans to invest $95 million to construct a wood pellet production facility in Demopolis. The Alabama Pellets facility is expected to have an annual production volume of 360,000 metric tons and will start initial industrial wood…
Revere Plastics Systems expands footprint to Alabama, creating 120 jobs
AUBURN, Alabama — Revere Plastics Systems, a leading manufacturer of highly engineered plastic injection molded parts and assemblies, has selected Auburn to house its first operation in the Southeast. Revere will employ 120 people at its Alabama plant over the next three years. “Revere is thrilled with the location and growth opportunity that our Auburn…
Gov. Ivey launches $100M small business grant program ‘Revive Alabama’
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the Revive Alabama grant program to support small businesses in Alabama that have been impacted by COVID-19. Revive Alabama will reimburse small businesses up to a combined $100 million for expenses they have incurred due to operational interruptions caused by the pandemic and related business closures. “In…
Milestones bring Toyota Alabama closer to increased engine production
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Toyota Alabama announced todady that it achieved two significant milestones this month as part of an ongoing expansion, a $288 million project originally announced in March 2019. The milestones include the start of production for the all-new, redesigned 4-cylinder engine at the Huntsville facility, and the closing in of the plant’s new…
Innovation Fund joins Auburn to support development of OraSecure saliva collection device for COVID testing
AUBURN, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce and the City of Auburn’s Industrial Development Board have teamed to award $250,000 in funding to accelerate the development of OraSecure LLC’s breakthrough patent-pending saliva collection device intended to help in the ongoing battle against the novel coronavirus. The support will help OraSecure finalize the initial manufacturing…
Alabama Office of Apprenticeship plans for growth with fresh funding
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama’s apprenticeship effort is primed for additional growth after the U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday awarded the state a $450,000 grant to expand registered apprenticeship programs. The funding will allow the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship to enhance its activities in working with employers to develop skilled workers in many industries across…
Auburn’s SiO2 plans $163M expansion to ramp up production of vaccine vials
AUBURN, Alabama – Governor Kay Ivey announced today that SiO2 Materials Science plans to invest $163 million in an expansion at its Auburn facility after securing a major contract to supply the federal government with vials to support the COVID-19 vaccine effort. The project will create 220 jobs. The expansion will allow SiO2 to increase…
South Alabama manufacturers switch gears to aid health care workers
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of South Alabama’s largest industrial employers swung into action, adjusting their manufacturing efforts to produce medical supplies for local hospitals, health care centers, and first responders. Wendy Bedsole, executive director of the Medical Society of Mobile County, sent out a call to action to local industry in the early…
Macon County organic farmer cultivates ambitions with ag startup
TUSKEGEE, Alabama – A startup, minority-owned organic farm in Macon County is expanding its crops and customer base, fueled by an ambitious vision to carry on the region’s rich history of agricultural innovation. Lifetime Natural Organic Farm, which includes about 25 acres of raised-bed bio-intensive organic vegetables, this year invested an additional $500,000 to increase…