Hyundai Motors has announced that it is instituting a new, more competitive wage structure for workers at its Montgomery Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) plant. Beginning in January 2024, the auto giant said it intends to increase hourly wages for production team members at the Montgomery site by 25% over the next four years. “We […]

In an effort to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s data, Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) introduced a bill that would create a commission to “modernize” the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Statistics from NASS are often utilized by groups like agricultural producers, insurance adjusters, commodity traders, federal agencies, and policy makers who are all seeking […]

Mercedes-Benz announced they have formed a strategic partnership with Buc-ees, the company renown for some of the world’s most beloved-travel centers. Their goal is to bring a coast-to-coast electric vehicle charging network to all Buc-ee’s locations throughout North America. “Mercedes-Benz HPC North America’s collaboration with Buc-ee’s represents an important moment in our pursuit of a […]

A first-in-the-nation tax policy will go into effect on January 1, 2024 that eliminates the state’s 5% portion of taxes collected on overtime work. All full-time, hourly workers working more than 40 hours per week are eligible. Alabamians working the hardest will keep more of their paycheck, State Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) told lawmakers when […]

Two notable state organizations have partnered on an initiative to attract biotech firms into Alabama and also help expand the already-existing start-up companies in the Yellowhammer State. Innovate Alabama has awarded Southern Research close to $3 million in tax credits courtesy of the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit Program, the two organizations announced Tuesday. As a […]

Alabama ONE Credit Union has gained approval to complete the acquisition of the First Bank of Wadley’s assets and deposits. First Bank, a subsidiary of Peoples Independent Bancshares, has a total asset value of $130 million and operates in several Alabama cities including Goldwater, Hollis Crossroads, Rockford, Roanoke, and Wadley. The transaction was unanimously approved […]

The Alabama Grocers Association, representing more than 100 retail members operating over 750 stores statewide, honored industry champions last week in Birmingham. Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth headlined the event as guest speaker after his successful legislative effort to cut the state’s grocery tax. More than 120 people attended the event to celebrate the hardworking food, […]

The Gulf Coast is rebounding from the one-two punch in 2020 of COVID and Hurricane Sally, according to Beth Gendler, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. Gendler was the speaker last week for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s First Friday Forum. The gathering, sponsored by Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, […]

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants to three cities for electric vehicle charging stations. The grants are worth close to a grand total of $1 million. “As the automotive industry, including manufacturers who call Alabama home, shift production toward electric vehicles, Alabama has made strides in supporting increased charging stations along our travel corridors,” Ivey […]

Manufacture Alabama, the only trade association in the state dedicated exclusively to the full array of regulatory, operational and competitive interests of manufacturers, announced they elevated Jon Barganier to the top leadership spot as President and CEO.  He’ll take over for George Clark, who founded the organization in 1996. Clark served as President of the […]

Electric vehicles batteries will find a second life in EV charging stations under a project led by the University of Alabama. With $4 million in support from the United States Department of Energy, UA is partnering with Alabama Power and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. to develop and demonstrate ways to use older EV batteries, extending […]

Auburn University’s own Steve Pelham has officially been named to the Board of Trustees for the Tennessee Valley Corridor(TVC), the organization announced recently. Pelham, Associate Vice President for Economic Development at the Auburn University Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development, spoke about his new appointment to 35 member board. “The […]

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) marked a major milestone in its mission to prepare Alabamians of all ages for the workforce with real skills, real training and real credentials. This week, ACCS opened the doors to the Innovation Center headquarters in Decatur on the heels of the announcement they’ve enrolled 7,700 Alabamians in the […]

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has made a concerted effort to expand not only their tribal land’s high speed internet — but also the connectivity of surrounding communities. They announced an investment in the amount of $5.5 million to establish a new and reliable network for the area. The infrastructure was installed by BearCom, […]

Innovate Alabama is taking a major leap in strengthening the state’s innovation and entrepreneurial landscape. The public-private partnership announced the inaugural designees of the Innovate Alabama Network: 51 organizations across 17 Alabama counties will receive $9.3 million in supporting funds. “By providing funding and resources to our local communities, nonprofits and higher education institutions, we […]

The Alabama Forestry Commission has announced a cost-share funding program that makes financial incentives available for forest landowners, loggers, and timber companies throughout the state if they share the cost of transporting portable bridges to Alabama logging sites. Using temporary, portable bridges to cross streams keeps equipment and sediment from entering “sensitive areas” which ensures […]

U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville applauded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration rejecting a petition to establish a mandatory 10-knot speed limit and other vessel-related mitigation measures in the Gulf of Mexico. “I was glad to see the NOAA come to their senses and reject this part of the Biden Administration’s overreaching regulatory […]

An Alabama businessman has been nominated for one of the automobile industry’s most coveted awards. Dale Benton, president of Benton Nissan of Hoover, will be traveling to Las Vegas and competing against 49 other nominees from throughout the U.S. for the 2024 Time Dealer of the Year award at the 107th annual National Automobile Dealers […]

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust case against Google over its dominance of online search is unfolding. This marks the first tech industry antitrust trial since Microsoft a quarter century ago. Does Google unfairly dominate online search? With a market share of between 86% and 96%, Google is certainly dominant. Microsoft’s Bing is a […]

Big Communications, a creative and marketing powerhouse, has promoted longtime staffer Shannon Harris to lead its award-winning creative department as executive creative director. Harris has had four promotions since joining the agency in 2010 and most recently served as creative director. This marks Big’s first female executive creative director in its 28-year history. “Shannon is […]

Accelerate Alabama, an economic blueprint that has driven ambition, strategy and evaluation for state business leaders since 2012, is set to receive an upgrade under incoming Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. Gov. Kay Ivey announced last week that Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, who has served the state in that role across 12 years and […]

A 693-megawatt power plant has officially begun operations in Leroy. The Lowman Energy Center, a product of a partnership between PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and Mitsubishi Power, celebrated the milestone Monday. The plant, operated by PowerSouth, holds one of Mitsubishi’s most advanced air-cooled gas turbine, the M501JAC. Mitsubishi has said that it will provide service and […]

According to a survey taken by the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research, small business leaders throughout the state appear to have a far better outlook for the state’s economy and businesses than those on the national level. The center’s most recent survey, the Alabama Business Confidence Index (ABCI), dipped indicating expectations […]

A dozen Alabama autoworkers got the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Autos Drive America’s Congressional Drive-In on Capitol Hill recently. The event brought close to 100 international automaker employees from across the United States to Capitol Hill to show the impact international automakers have made in their workforce and communities in Alabama and entire […]