Now that a multiyear effort to restore, enhance and protect the shoreline habitats of the “Seafood Capital” of Alabama is complete, state and local leaders are turning their attention to an economic development project in Bayou La Batre they believe will transform the community for generations to come. Details of the Bayou La Batre City Docks Redevelopment Project were […]

Lucy Greer can’t help but smile when talking about her family’s newest grocery store. “We heard that it’s being called Club Greer’s, which is fun,” Greer said. “We are so happy to see the joy of not only the community that lives and works down here but there’s so many areas from Baldwin County and […]

For Lisa Teggert and Laurye Brunson, the welcome sign at the door of their home is more than a tagline. It’s a daily mission statement anchored in years of personal pain. “When one door closes, ours opens,” says Teggert. “Our house is filled with anybody who needs help.” Door to Serenity offers help to the […]

How can Alabama create economic growth? Dozens of leaders from across Alabama’s public and private sectors gathered recently to discuss that and other economic development issues during the Innovate Alabama Symposium hosted by the state’s new Alabama Innovation Corporation. Nate Schmidt, managing director of the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator, led a panel discussion about creating success in […]

How can we improve the state’s global reputation? What does Alabama do well that people outside of Alabama don’t know about? Dozens of leaders from across Alabama’s public and private sectors gathered Dec. 14 to discuss those and other marketing questions during the Innovate Alabama Symposium hosted by the state’s new Alabama Innovation Corporation. Miller Girvin, […]

Alabama strengthened its reputation Tuesday as the global hub of energy technology innovation when nine startups revealed their growth plans during Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator‘s Demo Day 2021. The startups pitched their strategies at the conclusion of a 13-week cohort in Birmingham. Nate Schmidt, managing director of Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator, says he’s proud of this […]

A $7 million restoration project spawned in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill is expanding. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the RESTORE Council (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revised Economies of the Gulf Coast States) has announced they will spend an additional $11.9 million to continue the work of the GulfCorps program through 2025. The […]

Millbrook may fit the traditional definition of a bedroom community. But don’t be fooled; this Alabama city is wide awake. “We’re seeing a tremendous number of people moving out of Montgomery and moving into here,” said Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley. “I learned early on that businesses need rooftops, and I made a decision a few years […]

Alabama’s roadmap to stimulate economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology will work only if state leaders in the public and private sectors work with county, city and local leaders to implement the plans. That statement was a key takeaway during an economic development panel discussion Oct. 26 in Montgomery. The Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC) […]

Alabama’s desire to stimulate economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology has a clear roadmap for success thanks to the work of dozens of leaders in Alabama’s public and private sectors. Those leaders gathered Oct. 14 in Montgomery for the final meeting of the Alabama Innovation Commission (AIC), also known as Innovate Alabama. The commission was created by […]

APM Terminals (APM), a company that helps businesses send and receive products, got some help this week receiving a special delivery for itself. APM moved two 90-foot-tall gantry cranes Wednesday from its shipyard in Mobile to its rail facility about a mile away. What makes the move unusual is that utilities, such as Alabama Power, had to temporarily […]

Tamika Turner got excited when she discovered the Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP) offered by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) at Bishop State Community College. “I was online one day and just looking, and they had an apprenticeship program, so I applied for it and they called me back,” Turner said. “More money, more skills – I couldn’t beat that.” […]

The people in Valley, Alabama, have a lot of reasons to smile. “I’m very proud of how far we’ve come,” said Valley Mayor Leonard Riley. “I’m just proud of our community and that we’re growing.” Pride and growth was hard to find here 13 years ago. In May 2008 the last of several large textile mills […]

A fundraising effort is underway to support plans to renovate, modernize and expand a key portion of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), Alabama’s primary marine education and research center for K-12, undergraduate and graduate students across the state. The DISL, in conjunction with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation, launched last month a capital fundraising campaign called […]

Brian Rushing knows a good business plan when he sees it. As director of Economic Development Initiatives for the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED), Rushing’s responsibilities include assisting the Alabama Trails Commission (ATC) with promoting, developing and facilitating a statewide trail system. Rushing says the math makes the sell easy. “They are a real good investment,” […]

If you need a recipe for how to successfully blend beauty and business, take a look at Oxford, Alabama. “Oxford is a special place,” said Oxford Mayor Alton Craft. “It’s my home, but it’s also 18 miles long on the interstate. I don’t know how many cities are 18 miles long on anything. Those kinds of […]

Livingston may not be the largest city in Alabama’s Black Belt, but that is not stopping the people who live and work there from enthusiastically leading a growing chorus of voices devoted to growing rural Alabama. “When you have all of the oars going in the same direction, it’s better on everybody,” said Livingston Mayor Tom Tartt. […]

With a population of nearly 6,100, Jackson is technically defined as a city, but the folks who live and work here will quickly tell you otherwise. “We call ourselves the best small town in the state of Alabama,” said Katie Soderquist, executive director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. “Everybody knows your name, your kids, where you […]

For students enrolled in the Bryant Oyster Academy at Bayou La Batre’s Alma Bryant High School, science is fun. “We’re teaching students how to grow oysters,” said aquaculture teacher Charles Baker. “They’re learning the whole process of putting out the long line system and then hanging baskets where you grow oysters to either market size or […]

The restoration and preservation of Lightning Point, one of Alabama’s most iconic and important coastal habitats, is getting a big boost thanks to the efforts of some area high school students and volunteers. About two dozen students from Bayou La Batre‘s Alma Bryant High School recently joined volunteers from The Nature Conservancy in Alabama (TNCA) and Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) to replant […]

After more than 40 years of speaking to elementary school kids about weather, James Spann knows what they want to know about. “I’m in 1-2 schools a day so I know their questions,” Spann said. “After doing this for so many years, I noticed more of two things: kids that have a fear of weather because maybe […]

Anglers, tournament staff and community leaders are thrilled with their new shaded place on Lewis Smith Lake in Walker County to host fishing tournament weigh-ins. Many of them gathered May 8 to share their appreciation for the weigh-in pavilion during a dedication ceremony prior to weigh-in at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Open. The pavilion provides shade for fish-holding tanks during tournament […]

Entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to start and grow their businesses now have more opportunities and support in Alabama. That message was the central theme Wednesday during the Alabama Innovation Commission‘s meeting at the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator in downtown Birmingham. The commission met to review its successes and map out goals for the remainder of 2021. “To […]

Before the tournament began, Wes Logan predicted it would take 55 pounds to win. He was wrong. It took 57 pounds. The Springville native landed 57 lbs. 9 oz. to land the blue trophy Monday at the 2021 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Neely Henry Lake. He beat Paul Mueller, who was 1 lb. 6 oz. back in second place. “I give it […]