Alabama’s economy is supercharged by global partners. One of the state’s strongest relationships globally is Japan. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield was in Tokyo recently for the 45th meeting of SEUS-Japan. “It is a tremendous honor to address the distinguished delegates gathered here for the 45th joint meeting of SEUS-Japan,” Canfield said. “It is also a […]

Chris Skelton, a broadband industry veteran of 30 years, has been named chief technology officer for Fiber Utility Network. The network is eight electric co-ops, co-op subsidiaries, and other partners whose common goal is to expand middle-mile broadband throughout the state. “Throughout my career in the broadband industry, I’ve tried to improve service for areas […]

As employment and workforce metrics are receiving renewed focus from state, legislative, education and business leaders, Alabama stands ready to become the workforce engine of the Southeast, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth says. His Commission on 21st Century Workforce, established in 2019, met Wednesday to zero in on enhancing workforce competitiveness and tackling Alabama’s below-average labor […]

Drivers of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have a new charging option in Birmingham’s Avondale business district, the Birmingham Parking Authority announced Wednesday. The BPA held a ribbon-cutting for a Level 2 EV charging station at its Avondale Village parking lot. The charging station is through a partnership between the BPA and the Alabama Clean […]

Specialty motor manufacturer Louis Allis has obtained a preliminary injunction barring Ideal Electric Power Company from using or displaying the Warrior-based company’s federally registered trademarks for its brand name and stylized LA logo. The Delaware court’s order also prohibits Ideal from claiming to own or in any way be associated with Louis Allis. According to […]

This week has been proclaimed Alabama Woods to Goods Week by Gov. Kay Ivey. The timing, according to the Alabama Forestry Association, was meant to coincide with National Forest Products Week. Woods to Goods is a week-long celebration that promotes the state’s forest products industry’s professionals, resources, companies, and environmental and economic impact. Activities taking […]

Electric cars have been talked about for more than a decade and they are growing more popular. President Biden announced in August a target that by 2030, half of the vehicles sold in the United States will be battery electric, fuel-cell electric or plug-in hybrids. While the state’s larger cities have been adapting to meet […]

The Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator recently selected 12 startup companies, including one from Alabama, to participate in its 13-week mentoring program aimed at helping the early-stage businesses to succeed. Alabama Power launched the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator in 2020 to promote innovations in energy technology. Since then, 42 startups from across the United States and […]

Emily Moore of the University of Alabama’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been recognized as a national SBDC Top 40 Under 40. The honor recognizes 40 leaders under the age of 40 who have displayed exceptional business acumen and innovative thinking. Moore is a research director and finance specialist with the SBDC’s Capital Access […]

Brexit and Donald Trump’s election highlighted a global surge in populism. The Economic Freedom of North America Network, of which the Johnson Center is a member, has discussed conservative populists’ growing hostility to markets. Populists should, I hope, embrace free markets and limited government. We first need a definition of populism. Prior to 2016, left-wing […]

The world’s top researchers, scientists and peanut industry leaders are in Huntsville this week for the Advances in Arachis through Genomics and Biotechnology Conference. The conference is today through Wednesday at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. “We are excited to host AAGB at HudsonAlpha this year,” HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Faculty Investigator Dr. Josh Clevenger […]

A panel of workforce development experts told the Alabama pro-growth policy conference the state will benefit from more collaboration to close real-world gaps in the pipeline to get jobs filled – and keep them filled.  Alabama’s labor force participation rate has been a priority topic for many state leaders as they see the numbers and […]

Trenholm State Community College has joined the Innovate Alabama Network and received a grant of more than $240,000 to expand its Automotive Service Program to focus on Electric Vehicle maintenance. Innovate Alabama is a statewide public-private partnership that assists innovators in establishing roots in Alabama through entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. The Innovate Alabama Network connects […]

Alabama community college students interested in the automotive manufacturing industry can apply for scholarships worth up to $4,000. The new scholarships are made possible through a partnership between the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association and the Alabama Community College System. Interested high school seniors, residents interested in attending college, and college students with at least a […]

Calling HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology a “shining example of success,” Gov. Kay Ivey helped cut the ribbon today for the global headquarters of Discovery Life Sciences. “In every groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting and, most importantly, every major discovery, this world-leading firm has continuously put Alabama on the map in a very big way,” she said during […]

Like many large businesses today, aluminum producer and recycler Novelis is making an effort to cut its carbon emissions. To help achieve that goal, Novelis is joining with Alabama Power in a decarbonization effort. Novelis will first concentrate on its new plant in Bay Minette, which it hopes to have carbon neutral for scope 1 […]

After more than 40 years of service, Zeke Smith is retiring from Alabama Power. His retirement is effective Nov. 1. For the past 13 years, Smith has been the executive vice president of external affairs, leading the most influential governmental affairs operation across the Southeast. He also serves as chairman of the Alabama Power Foundation’s […]

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to the region’s heavy equipment vendors last week after a scam that has already taken $1.5 million from businesses was discovered. The scam involves individuals creating a shop on the internet using actual companies, many of which are closed, in an attempt to look legitimate. Possible buyers are […]

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has developed a cybersecurity software for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the university announced. The software began performance testing on one of Lockheed Martin’s In-space Upgrade Satellite System (LM LINUSS) technology demonstrator CubeSats. The software, Small Satellite Defender, is an intrusion detection system designed for small […]

When driving down I-65 North, you are sure to have noticed the iconic, red-roofed barn sitting atop a grassy hill looking down on beautiful lake. This location is known as Hallmark Farm, a 567-acre property developed by Ted and Mary Hallmark in 1976. Ted Hallmark was the owner of a coal-mining equipment company. After Ted and […]

WF Cabinetry, a manufacturer of semi-custom wood kitchen and bath cabinetry, has acquired Woodharbor Molding & Millworks, the company announced. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Alexander City, with additional operations in Wisconsin, WF Cabinetry is an independent provider of semi-custom cabinets throughout the South, Northeast and Midwest under the WF Cabinetry and […]

Birmingham has always been an economic hub. Though known for its steel production in decades past, the city continues to reinvent itself in unique ways.  One of those ways has been its magnetism for startup companies and the founders who get them off the ground.  New data shows Birmingham is on the map with the most […]

Ten companies have been selected as finalists for the Cycle 3 finale of Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. The event was made possible through a partnership between Alabama Launchpad and Innovate Alabama. The finale is Dec. 7 in Hoover. “We are eager to see the rapid growth of these […]

Alabama Power has launched a customer mobile app to residential customers, the company announced today. The app enables customers to manage their accounts more conveniently and efficiently with the new and updated features. The company said it is part of its ongoing effort to meet the evolving needs of customers through new technology and by […]