News
How Airbus A320 aircraft assembly will roll in Alabama (video)
Curious about how Airbus’ Alabama workforce will assemble those A320 Family passenger jets in the company’s new, $600 million assembly line at Mobile Aeroplex? A fast-paced video from Airbus paints a picture of how assembly operations will flow inside the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility, where production has quietly begun in recent days. Airbus is…
Site consultants rank Alabama a top state in Area Development survey
Site selection professionals surveyed by national publication Area Development once again ranked Alabama in the top five states for doing business, citing its strong labor climate and workforce development programs. Alabama ranked No. 5 in Area Development’s 2015 “Top States For Doing Business” analysis, appearing this week online. It’s the sixth consecutive year that Alabama…
Alabama trade mission to South Africa targets business opportunities
Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is leading a trade and business development mission to South Africa and Tanzania that will permit Alabama businesses to explore partnership and export opportunities in a fast-growing region. Representatives from six Alabama companies joined Secretary Canfield and international trade specialists from around the state on the 10-day mission that officially kicked…
Time Inc. test kitchen investment adds to Birmingham culinary scene
With new restaurants opening every month and a massive Time Inc. test kitchen on the way, Birmingham’s dynamic food scene is gaining national exposure and positioning the Alabama city as a premier culinary destination. In the latest development, New York-based Time Inc. plans to make a multimillion-dollar investment to set up what’s being called its…
Oxford Pharmaceuticals starts construction on Alabama generic drug plant
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Oxford Pharmaceuticals is closer to producing generic drugs in Alabama with a $29.4 million Birmingham plant that gives the state’s largest metro area a foothold in an important industry. Company officials joined elected and economic development officials Wednesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the plant site, though it was clear by the…
REHAU opens Alabama technical center to serve automotive industry
CULLMAN, Alabama – European auto parts maker REHAU formally opened its first North American technical center at the company’s manufacturing facility in Cullman, creating a U.S. site to handle research and development functions that had been conducted primarily in Germany. REHAU said the ultra-modern technical center, staffed with 45 engineers, will enable the company to bundle…
Alabama Launchpad funds 4 startups, honors innovation (update)
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — With Alabama Innovation Week starting Monday, Alabama Launchpad kicked off the celebration a little early with the finale of its latest round of competition. On Thursday, Alabama Launchpad awarded $240,000 to four start-up companies participating in its state-wide entrepreneur competition. The program, established by Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), works to…
‘Alabama the Beautiful’ filmmaker documents artisan movement in Sidewalk premiere
Premiering at the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival this Saturday, the documentary “Alabama the Beautiful” showcases six Alabama artisans, offering a glimpse into the revival of Southern makers that’s bringing creativity to cities and small towns across the state. The film’s director, 22-year-old Corey Carpenter, found inspiration in his subjects’ stories. “All of these people absolutely…
Sidewalk Film Festival shines national spotlight on Alabama
One of the coolest film festivals in the world takes place right here in Alabama. The Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, starting Friday and running through the weekend, earned this distinction last year from MovieMaker magazine, and this is not the first time the festival has gained national attention. Time magazine listed Sidewalk among the best…
Alabama Launchpad seeks next generation of innovators in competition finale
Even Alabama’s largest companies first began with an idea, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) is searching for the next great one. Through Alabama Launchpad, a premier entrepreneur competition, the EDPA seeks to fund the next generation of Alabama innovators in hopes of launching the next great homegrown company. Its most recent cycle…