News
Alabama film industry set for blockbuster year after record 2019
The cameras are rolling on a golden period for film activity in Alabama, which is generating a record level of production expenditures while creating jobs and elevating the state’s profile in the industry. The Alabama Film Office reported the 20 approved film and TV productions that qualified for state incentives in 2019 spent nearly $72…
Exports of Alabama-made autos, aerospace parts rise in tough trade year
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Despite ongoing disruptions in global trade relationships, Alabama’s exports of goods and services totaled $20.7 billion in 2019 as overseas shipments of motor vehicles, auto parts and aerospace products continued to show strength. The value of Alabama exports last year declined 3 percent from 2018’s total and fell just 4.6 percent shy…
Blue Origin officially opens Alabama rocket engine factory
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Blue Origin on Monday opened a sprawling factory in Alabama’s “Rocket City” that will allow the spaceflight company to accelerate production of its heavy-lift BE-4 rocket engine and create hundreds of jobs. The BE-4, which is under development, will power Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket as well as the United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan…
High-ranking research programs power UAH aerospace collaborations
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Aerospace engineering researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville are modeling how a future U.S. spacecraft might be engineered for nuclear propulsion. They are also studying how reliable rocket engine components can be printed using advanced manufacturing techniques. These two projects illustrate why UAH consistently ranks among the nation’s top programs…
Chambers County’s Gray wins top Alabama economic development honor
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Valerie Gray, executive director of the Chambers County Development Authority (CCDA), has been named the 2019 recipient of the David R. Echols Distinguished Service Award for exemplary service in economic development. The award, presented by the Alabama Department of Commerce, represents the highest recognition in the economic development field. It’s named after…
Research funding jumps 43 percent at the University of South Alabama
MOBILE, Alabama – Research funding at the University of South Alabama topped $87 million in 2019, a significant increase from the previous year and the result of an ongoing strategy to raise the institution’s profile across the U.S. and beyond. External grant and contract funding awarded to the university’s researchers rose 43 percent, with most…
Growing Alabama Credit fuels improvements at Etowah County mega-site
GADSDEN, Alabama – Plans are under way for a $2.7-million site-improvement project for the Little Canoe Creek Mega-Site funded through the state’s Growing Alabama Credit program. The Etowah County Commission’s application was approved by the Renewal of Alabama Commission in December, and funding has been secured through a Norfolk Southern Corp. donation. The project will…
Medical Industries of the Americas to revive Alabama latex plant with growth project
EUFAULA, Alabama – Medical Industries of the Americas plans to re-launch latex production at a shuttered factory in Barbour County as part of a plan to expand the site into a comprehensive manufacturing complex for medical commodities, Alabama officials announced today. MI Americas plans to begin production at the former Ameritex Corp. facility in Eufaula…
AIDT promotes Allen to high-level communications position
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – AIDT announced today that Jacqueline Allen has been promoted to assistant director of communications and external affairs at Alabama’s premier workforce development agency. Allen has over 30 years of experience in communications and marketing, with nearly 20 years of that experience at AIDT. Her new responsibilities include overseeing the Communications, Marketing &…
Sec. Canfield to attend signing of historic trade deal with China
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield will attend the ceremonial signing of the Phase 1 trade deal between the United States and China at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. President Donald Trump will sign an 86-page agreement with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He that includes a commitment by China that it will make…