The Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA) has announced a major leadership transition with the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Don Williamson. The AlaHA Board of Trustees has named Danne Howard as his successor as President and CEO of the organization. Williamson has led AlaHA since November 2015, steering the organization through a period of major […]

The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking the public to comment on a draft Environmental Assessment for a proposed Colbert County solar project. TVA’s Spring Valley Solar Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is posted for review at www.tva.com/nepa. TVA has entered into a power purchase agreement with Spring Valley, a wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Grid, to […]

The Opelika Industrial Development Authority has been awarded a SEEDS grant, part of Gov. Kay Ivey’s initiative to enhance industrial site readiness across Alabama. The funding is included in the $23.5 million in SEEDS grants allocated by the State Industrial Development Authority to boost economic growth and attract new businesses to the state. “This SEEDS grant represents a strategic investment […]

Christina Stimpson, Chief Officer of the Global Business Office at the Alabama Department of Commerce, has been appointed to the board of directors of the State International Development Organizations (SIDO), the leading national association dedicated to supporting the international trade and export programs of U.S. states and territories. Stimpson’s appointment places Alabama at the center of the […]

Troy University is positioning itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) education and implementation, not only for students but also for business and community leaders across Southeast Alabama. As part of its strategic push into emerging technology, the university has launched the Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education within the Sorrell College of […]

With one of their own on board, Space Campers will take part in a Q&A next week with NASA astronauts on the International Space Station. At 11:40 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, astronauts Anne McClain, Jonny Kim, and Nichole Ayers will answer prerecorded questions from the campers. Ayers is a Space Camp alumna. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center will host […]

Two of Alabama’s most dynamic regions — Huntsville and the Auburn/Opelika area — have been named recipients of the 2025 Mac Conway Award for Economic Development Excellence, a national honor presented annually by “Site Selection” magazine. Named for “Site Selection” founder McKinley “Mac” Conway, the award recognizes top-performing economic development organizations across the country based […]

The prevented planting crop deadline has been extended into July, a welcome relief for Alabama farmers who have alternately battled bouts of drought and excess rain this spring. Farmers now have until each crop’s acreage reporting deadline to claim prevented planting through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). July 15 is a […]

What began with a full schedule of 21 pre-arranged meetings quickly evolved into a whirlwind of opportunity for the Alabama Department of Commerce team at last week’s 2025 Paris Air Show, where the state team engaged with executives from more than 36 aerospace companies — surpassing expectations and setting the stage for future investment. Among the […]

With a strong defense-related and military background, Drew Hicks has been hired as Minerva Defense vice president for Test and Evaluation (T&E) Instrumentation Programs. Hicks will be responsible for leading the strategic development, management and technical oversight of all government and commercial T&E programs for the Huntsville-based, small business defense contractor. “Minerva is led by an impressive […]

When Floyd and Marcia Jackson moved back to Fort Payne in early 2024 to open a new location of Rib Shak in the city’s historic downtown, they didn’t expect one early job application to shape the heart of their new venture. Kendle Leigh Larson, who lives with Down Syndrome, was the first to apply when […]

While Alabama’s unemployment rate is 3.3%, 12 North Alabama counties are lower than the state. Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties are tied for the second-lowest jobless rate in the state at 2.3%; Shelby County has the lowest at 2.2%. Other region counties’ rates are: Blount, DeKalb, Lawrence, and Marshall counties, 2.4%; Cullman and Franklin counties, […]

Tucked along the fields of North Alabama, La Famiglia Vineyards and Winery is more than a vineyard, it’s a living tribute to family, tradition, and the art of growing something lasting. The name means “the family,” and for owners Tom Fitzgerald and Bev Massa, it’s the heart of everything they do. RELATED: Fitzgerald and Massa come from […]

Alabama’s housing market showed strong signs of growth in May, with increases in home sales, prices, and total sales volume compared to both the previous month and the same time last year, according to the latest Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report from the Alabama Association of REALTORS®. A total of 6,214 homes were sold […]

The Alabama State Building and Construction Trades Council (ASBCTC) and the Association of Skilled Trade and Transportation Unions (ASTTU) have announced a new strategic alliance aimed at supporting union workers in Alabama’s construction industry. The partnership, officially unveiled June 18, brings together two major labor organizations with a shared commitment to union solidarity, advocacy, and […]

Alabama’s steel industry stands to benefit significantly from the newly finalized $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel Corporation. The historic partnership, officially announced on June 18, is expected to lead to substantial investments in domestic steel operations, including as much as $500 million allocated for improvements at U.S. Steel’s Fairfield facility […]

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center invites the community to help celebrate the center’s 65th anniversary during a free public event noon to 5 p.m. CDT on July 19, at The Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama. Marshall, along with its partners and collaborators, will fill the amphitheater with space exhibits, music, food vendors, and hands-on activities for all […]

From deep-space exploration to next-gen aviation systems, Alabama is a national leader in the aerospace and defense sectors. But behind the rockets, aircraft, and advanced weapons systems is a powerful network of research universities that provide the fuel for this innovation engine. Across the state, Alabama’s public universities are advancing game-changing research, training mission-critical talent, […]

We’re done with the days of Alabama being overlooked in discussions of national economic vitality. It’s taken decades of regional cooperation, ingenuity and soft diplomacy, but a new era has emerged across the state as more and more industries are planting their flag in Alabama’s rich red soil. We’re all aware of the stereotypes about […]

As he walks the floor of the 2025 Paris Air Show, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson isn’t just attending another industry event — he’s closing a remarkable chapter in the city’s global aerospace journey. This year marks his final European air show as mayor, and it comes at a moment of both pride and reflection. Mayor Stimpson […]

A Georgia-based real estate investment firm is crediting Huntsville’s fundamentals and a new federal presence as key drivers of growth in the region. To that end, DDB Capital Fund said it is increasing its commitment to North Alabama, even as many national developers and institutional capital sources pull back amid market uncertainty. In its latest blog post from […]

Sloss Tech 2025 is set to return to downtown Birmingham from June 25–27, expanding to a three-day format for the first time in its history. Organizers are billing this year’s event as the Southeast’s most comprehensive technology and innovation experience, with more than 1,000 attendees expected to join in Birmingham’s historic theatre district. The conference […]

Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair is leading an Alabama delegation that includes economic development professionals, company officials and community leaders from around the state on a mission to next week’s 2025 Paris Air Show, the aerospace industry’s premier business exposition this year. The trade event, which attracts decision-makers from the world’s biggest aerospace, aviation and defense companies, commences Monday, […]

The Mobile Airport Authority has updated the timeline for the completion of the Mobile International Airport project, now targeting September 2026 as the opening date instead of spring 2026 as first announced. The change reflects a decision by city and airport officials to prioritize staying within budget over meeting the earlier schedule. Construction on the […]