News
GE Aviation kicks off work on unique materials factories in Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – GE Aviation executives joined Governor Robert Bentley today to formal launch a $200 million project to build two factories in Alabama that are critical to the company’s plans to produce revolutionary ultra-lightweight parts for jet engines. Leading state and local officials also attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Huntsville for the project, which…
TVA certification primes Huntsville Mega Site for development
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Officials said today that a 1,252-acre site off Powell Road in Limestone County has been certified as a Tennessee Valley Authority Mega Site, positioning the location to compete globally for large-scale manufacturing projects. For a site to receive TVA certification, it must be at least 1,000 acres, with interstate access, the potential…
Report: Key indicators show Alabama bioscience industry expanding
Alabama’s bioscience industry is robust, and key indicators show the sector is growing to support new, high-paying jobs, according to a report from TEConomy Partners LLC and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, or BIO. The “Value of Bioscience Innovation in Growing Jobs and Improving Quality of Life 2016” Report examines metrics including the number of employees…
Innovation Depot boosts biotech pipeline, entrepreneurial ecosystem
Birmingham’s Innovation Depot has played a key role in growing Alabama’s biotech industry, with standout facilities, strong ties to world-class researchers and an extensive network of contacts that help new firms make their mark in the field. The business incubator is home to a wide range of startups, but its benefits for biotech companies are…
Eissmann Automotive to expand Alabama operation with 200 new jobs
PELL CITY, Alabama – German auto supplier Eissmann Automotive will invest $14.5 million to expand its St. Clair County facility with a 130,000-square-foot building and advanced manufacturing equipment for a new production line, officials said today. Eissmann, which has expanded its Pell City facility six times since opening a decade ago, will hire 200 additional…
Alabama claims Silver Shovel Award for 2015 projects
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama’s economic development team earned a Silver Shovel Award from Area Development magazine for its strong performance in 2015, keeping alive a winning streak that dates back a decade. The publication, which targets economic developers and site selection experts, announced the award today, noting that Alabama secured 2015 projects involving $7.1 billion…
Brenda Tuck joins Commerce as liaison to Regional Workforce Councils
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama Department of Commerce announced today that Brenda Tuck will join its Workforce Development Division as a liaison to the state’s Regional Workforce Councils. Tuck brings years of experience in economic development to this new role at Commerce. Since 2012, she has served as executive director of the Marengo County Economic…
Commerce joins Alabama team at major biotech convention
A key recruitment official from the Alabama Department of Commerce is joining a delegation of state bioscience leaders at the BIO International Convention, the biotech sector’s largest annual conference, attracting more than 15,000 high-level industry figures from around the globe. BIO 2016 begins today at San Francisco’s Moscone Center and runs through Thursday. While there,…
Panasonic Avionics to join growing Mobile aerospace cluster
MOBILE, Alabama – The Mobile Airport Authority announced today that Panasonic Avionics Corp. will open an office at Mobile Aeroplex, adding another prominent industry player to the aerospace cluster growing around the Airbus final assembly plant. Panasonic Avionics is a leading supplier of inflight entertainment and communication systems in passenger aircraft. A unit of the…
Innovation Fund grant speeds rollout of AIMTech treadmill
The Alabama Innovation Fund helped speed the development of a revolutionary treadmill designed to allow people with neurological or physical disorders to exercise in a safe manner. The device, called the ResistX, is the first product from the Alliance for Innovative Medical Technology (AIMTech), a partnership between two Birmingham research powerhouses – Southern Research and…