Awards & Recognition

Here in Alabama, we boast a long list of advantages—a pro-business environment, a robust infrastructure, and competitive business incentives, just to name a few.

But our greatest advantage has always been our people. Alabama’s highly skilled workforce is bolstering some of the biggest companies in the world: Amazon, Google, Facebook, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Hyundai, Honda, Airbus, and Boeing, among many others.

And while we’re courting the next corporate giants for future partnerships, Alabama workers are receiving top-notch training from cooperative, on-site programs developed by the primary state workforce agency AIDT, as well as from other initiatives that are preparing a pipeline of skilled and highly motivated workers who can thrive in the workplace of today — and tomorrow.


Area Development

Silver Shovel Award — 2022


Area Development

“Deal of the Year” Award — J.M. Smucker Co. project — 2022


Area Development

“Top States for Business” Survey — 2022

No. 6 Overall Ranking
No. 4 Ranking —Workforce Development


Business Facilities

“Deal of the Year” Award (Startup Category) — Landing project — 2022


Area Development

Gold Shovel Award (Manufacturing) — 2021


Area Development

“Top States for Business” Survey — 2021

No. 6 Overall Ranking
No. 3 Ranking — Incentives Programs
No. 4 Ranking — Workforce Development


Site Selection

Governor’s Cup Analysis — 2021

No. 9 Ranking — Per Capita Project Activity


Business Facilities

“State Rankings Report” — 2021

No. 3 Ranking — Customized Training
No. 5 Ranking — Best Business Climate


Trade & Industry Development

“Community Impact” Award — Lockheed Martin project — 2021


Area Development

“Top States for Business” — 2020

No. 6 Overall Ranking
No. 3 Ranking — Workforce Development
No. 4 Ranking — Incentives Programs


Site Selection

“Best Business Climate” Survey — 2020

No. 7 Overall Ranking


Site Selection

Governor’s Cup Analysis — 2020

No. 6 Ranking — Per Capita Project Activity
No. 9 Ranking — Project Activity


Business Facilities

“State Rankings Report” — 2020

No. 4 Ranking — Business Climate
No. 2 Ranking — Customized Training


Area Development

Gold Shovel Award — 2019


Southern Business & Development

“State of the Year” — 2019


Southern Business & Development

“Deals of the Year” — 2019

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA auto assembly plant (Huntsville)
Amazon fulfillment center (Bessemer)
Airbus A220 assembly line (Mobile)
Mercedes-Benz EV battery assembly plant (Bibb County)


Trade & Industry Development

Corporate Investment/Community Impact (CiCi) Awards — 2019

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA auto assembly plant (Huntsville)
Facebook data center (Huntsville)
Amazon fulfillment center (Bessemer)


Trade & Industry Development

“Deal of the Year” — 2019

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA auto assembly plant (Huntsville)


Business Facilities

“Deal of the Year, Sliver” — 2019

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA auto assembly plant (Huntsville)


Business Facilities

State Rankings Report — 2019

No. 3 state business climate
No. 2 state for workforce training
No. 5 for economic growth potential


Global Trade

“Best States for Manufacturing” — 2018

No. 1 state for manufacturing


Area Development

“Top States for Business” — 2018

No. 3 state for business
Most improved economic development policies


Site Selection

State Business Climate Survey — 2018

No. 7 state for businesses (consultants)
No. 8 state for businesses (overall)