News
Alabama trade mission shifts focus to building ties in Uruguay
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield met with high-level officials in Uruguay’s capital Thursday to discuss ways to advance mutually beneficial opportunities as an Alabama trade and business development mission moved into its final phase. Secretary Canfield, who is leading an Alabama delegation that includes eight businesses, said Thursday’s talks in Montevideo were…
Alabama trade mission targets opportunities in Peru, Uruguay
LIMA, Peru – Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is leading an Alabama delegation that includes eight homegrown businesses on a week-long trade and business development mission that seeks to build commercial ties in Peru and Uruguay. The Alabama team made its first stop in Lima, Peru’s industrial and financial center, where on Monday, June 2, it…
Evonik Corp. to open global Innovation Center in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Evonik Corp. said today it will open a global Innovation Center for research and development of medical devices and technology at the company’s Birmingham facility. The multimillion-dollar project will create up to 25 high-paying jobs, adding to Evonik’s current roster of 100 local employees. Housed at Evonik’s campus off Lakeshore Parkway, it is…
GD Copper project showcases Alabama economic development support system
PINE HILL, Alabama – A $100 million, ultra-modern manufacturing facility near this small Wilcox County town has begun turning out copper tubing for heating and cooling systems, appliances, refrigeration units and plumbing. The GD Copper USA plant also is responsible for a completely different kind of product – renewed optimism in one of Alabama’s most…
Alabama officials welcome Golden Dragon’s first U.S. factory
PINE HILL, Alabama – Top Alabama officials today welcomed leaders of Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group at a ribbon cutting for the Chinese company’s first U.S. factory, a $100 million plant in Wilcox County that just started production but could soon be growing. At the grand opening ceremony for the factory, operated by subsidiary…
Alabama lands role in ‘Selma’ after record year for production activity
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Coming off a record year for movie and television production activity, Alabama is preparing for its role in the filming of “Selma,” a major motion picture focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King’s epic struggle to secure voting rights. The Alabama Film Office announced today that portions of the movie project, which is…
Asahi Kasei Plastics plans Alabama production facility with up to 100 jobs
ATHENS, Alabama – Asahi Kasei Plastics North America plans to invest more than $30 million to open its second U.S. production facility at a site in Limestone County, where the company plans to employ up to 100 people at full capacity, Governor Robert Bentley announced today. Asahi Kasei Plastics’ Athens plant will process plastic resin…
Robert Stackpole: The Global Appeal of Alabama’s Southern Charm
By: Robert Stackpole, director of the International Trade Administration’s Export Assistance Center in Birmingham, Ala. In a business sense, Alabama can’t be pointed out in one location on a map. As the Alabama Department of Commerce is proud to point out, Alabama is everywhere. Our Southern state is a global leader, exporting goods to…
2013 New & Expanding Industries Report highlights solid year of economic development in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Companies launching operations in Alabama or expanding existing facilities in the state announced nearly 17,000 new jobs and more than $4.4 billion in capital investment during 2013, according to a report released today by Governor Robert Bentley and the Alabama Department of Commerce. The 2013 New & Expanding Industries Report outlines another…
World Trade Week events kick off in Mobile May 22-23
MOBILE, Alabama – Companies looking to expand their business to overseas markets can get advice on how to diversify their client base through exporting at a World Trade Week symposium in Mobile later this month. World Trade Week events kick off with a networking reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22, where attendees can interact…