News
Alabama’s ‘Sock Queen’ weaves entrepreneurial vision into family business
FORT PAYNE, Alabama – It’s been a big year for Gina Locklear and her Alabama-made socks. The Fort Payne native and her business have turned heads across the U.S., first as a winner of domestic guru Martha Stewart’s American Made Awards and later as the subject of a New York Times feature which dubbed her…
Innovate Birmingham partnership creates pathway to tech jobs
A program called the Innovate Birmingham Regional Workforce Partnership will deploy $6 million in federal funding to train young adults in Alabama’s largest metro area for 925 high-paying technology-focused jobs. The Innovate Birmingham partnership is supported by a broad coalition of business, community and education leaders who are committed to spurring economic growth in the…
Mobile focuses on tech sector growth with innovation initiatives
MOBILE, Alabama — Alabama’s Port City is known around the world for building big ships and jets, but it’s also home to people who create systems, software and other innovative solutions that power industry. The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has been increasing its focus on the region’s tech sector, with efforts to support start-ups…
TEAM PLAYER: Alabama-made Airbus A321 to make Iron Bowl flyover
MOBILE, Alabama — Airbus said today that an Alabama-built A321 will perform a flyover at Saturday’s Iron Bowl match-up in Tuscaloosa. The aircraft, destined for delivery to Delta Air Lines next month, is scheduled to fly over Bryant-Denny Stadium following the National Anthem and prior to kick-off, which is currently scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.…
UAH researcher patents green carbon fiber process for rocket nozzles
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – A professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is pioneering a new technology that could provide a more environmentally friendly path to explore space. William Kaukler, an associate research professor at UAH’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center, has been awarded a patent for a green process he developed that produces…
Alabama Innovation Fund provides boost for UNA UX center
FLORENCE, Alabama – The Alabama Innovation Fund is providing more than $80,000 to advance plans by the University of North Alabama (UNA) to set up a center that assists entrepreneurs and gives students valuable hands-on experience. UNA’s College of Business is getting $81,300 from the Innovation Fund for a proposed User Experience (UX) Accelerator Center,…
State debuts unified workforce system, AlabamaWorks
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama business, education and workforce training leaders unveiled a new system called “AlabamaWorks” that will seamlessly link employers looking for skilled workers with residents seeking jobs or job training. The AlabamaWorks program aims to set a new standard in workforce development efforts, said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce,…
BASF to expand capacity at Alabama plant
MCINTOSH, Alabama – German chemical manufacturer BASF plans to spend more than $200 million to boost its worldwide plastic additives business, with a portion of the investment slated for the company’s plant in southwestern Alabama. At the Washington County facility in McIntosh, BASF will expand production capacity in a move that is expected to strengthen…
Universities partner with NASA to boost space exploration
The University of Alabama and Auburn University are collaborating with NASA on future technologies that could aid space exploration. Officials from both universities and representatives of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville signed new Space Act Agreements to kick off the partnerships. Under an agreement signed Thursday, University of Alabama students will work to…
HudsonAlpha acts as catalyst for Alabama bioscience growth
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – From world-class researchers to worried parents, people across all walks of life are finding answers at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Set on 152 acres in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park, the nonprofit institute is a pillar of Alabama’s biotech industry and beyond that, a global leader in genetics and genomic technology. HudsonAlpha brings…