The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding Alabama businesses they still have time to apply for working capital loans following the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that impacted the state last January.  The month saw Alabama ravaged by two tornado outbreaks, with one outbreak producing 13 strong tornadoes.  RELATED: Resilience Council to make communities […]

The state of Alabama is home to a number of lakes, both large and small, with varying amounts of waterfront properties. From Smith Lake to Lake Cyrus, the demand for property is increasing. Glenn Phillips, CEO and lead economic analyst of Lake Homes Realty, discussed some of the data from the lake home real estate […]

In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Drive Electric Alabama is hosting four statewide showcases this month. During the events, which are free of charge and open to the public, EVs will be on display and owners of the vehicles will be on hand to answer questions regarding the cars. “A large percentage of Alabamians […]

In big news for the hotel industry, a partnership has been formed between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and DreamCatcher Development. The two companies have combined to expand the DreamCatcher Hotels brand. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with DreamCatcher Development,” said Cody Williamson, president/CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. “Our […]

Mobile-based Austal USA has been awarded yet another multimillion-dollar contract from the Navy. The $91,535,551 award will combine with an earlier contract to design and produce three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 class craft. “Austal USA is honored to be able to build this important connector for the U.S. Navy,” commented Dave Growden, vice president […]

As the nation grapples with rising healthcare costs, Alabama employers and providers are on the front line.  This is felt particularly amid a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape marked by groundbreaking, yet costly, treatments. Drawing from a recent annual survey by the Business Group on Health, Axios reported employers are seeking strategies to curb rising costs […]

A rapid surge in scams by impostors pretending to be representatives of the Better Business Bureau has caused the organization’s Central & South Alabama office to issue a warning to businesses and consumers. “It’s disheartening to see scammers attempting to exploit the BBB’s reputation for personal gain,” said President and CEO Carl Bates. “We are […]

During the 2023 session, the Alabama Legislature passed a series of bills designed to strengthen Alabama’s economy, reduce the tax burden on small businesses and individuals, and encourage more Alabamians to enter the workforce. The “Game Plan,” a four-bill package that will supercharge our ability to recruit, retain, and expand those industries in Alabama, passed […]

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has acquired two buildings in Birmingham, the school announced. The transactions were approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. The properties are the Daniel Building at 15 20th St. South which was purchased by the UAB Medicine Enterprise for $16 million and a medical office building, […]

The University of Alabama will be home to the fastest computing system in the state, thanks to funding from the state and federal governments. Sen. Katie Britt said a $44.5 million investment from the U.S. Department of Commerce will go toward the High Performance Computing and Data Center. The funding is provided by the department’s […]

A pair of college football best kickers have signed on to give a boost to small businesses. Alabama’s Will Reichard and Texas’ Bert Auburn have partnered with Goldman Sachs for an ad for the Small Business Administration, the financial giant announced. The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) ad is set to broadcast Saturday on Connected […]

State Sen. Garlan Gudger was recently recognized at the 2023 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism as the state’s main tourism government advocate. Gudger (R-Cullman), vice chair of the state’s Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee, was the youngest person  to be elected to the Cullman City Council. He served for 14 years, including president for […]

This Labor Day, a pressing question reverberates across the United States: “Where are the workers?” Alabama shares this concern, grappling with just shy of the lowest labor force participation rate in the country. Gov. Kay Ivey rightly emphasized the importance of labor force participation, a sentiment echoed by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s efforts to elevate […]

Job creation tied to international investment in Alabama has been rapidly outpacing the state’s general employment growth rate, according to a report that tracks the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) across the U.S. The Global Business Alliance analysis says employment in Alabama tied to FDI surged 12% between 2015 and 2020, compared to overall employment growth […]

The Alabama Supreme Court this month delivered the highest award in punitive damages to a plaintiff in state history: $10 million for wrongful death. A 54% increase from the previous $6.5 million high watermark awarded in a 2021 case signals a progressive escalation in punitive damage awards affirmed by the state Supreme Court.  While all […]

In a poll conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce via North Star Opinion Research, registered voters, regardless of their party, revealed that they are overwhelmingly supportive of pro-business candidates going into the presidential election of 2024. A significant majority of Republican primary voters favored less government involvement in matters of business. There where some […]

A major change in leadership for corporate giant Austal USA took place Wednesday. Company President Rusty Murdaugh resigned and was quickly replaced by Michelle Kruger, vice president of global services and support, who is now acting president until the position is filled. Austal USA released a statement that noted Murdaugh’s contributions to the company following […]

The construction of a Smucker’s plant in McCalla is proceeding as scheduled, the company announced this week. The upcoming $1.1 billion facility is expected to produce create up to 800 jobs and is the largest capital investment by a company in Jefferson County. “We are currently hiring for a variety of roles, including production, quality […]

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) recently announced its third round of state grants to fund construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This is good news for Alabama’s EV owners and the state at large. It is well known that range anxiety hinders widespread adoption of EVs. The fear that an EV […]

State Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) emphasized the need for having more shovel-ready sites for the state to compete for economic development projects. Gudger said that the state has only one shovel-ready megasite, over 1,000 acres, and needs more as well as smaller sites with utilities in place to compete against other states. Gudger made the […]

BIO Alabama, a leading advocate for Alabama’s bioeconomy, has partnered with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), Alabama’s workforce training agency, to introduce a comprehensive Bioscience Technician Program, Gov. Kay Ivey announced. “We are leaving no stone unturned in developing our workforce to meet and exceed industry demands in Alabama,” said Ivey. “Bioscience has grown to […]

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a 4.5% rate hike as it announced a $15 billion plan to build additional electricity-generating capacity and upgrade the system. The action came at the agency’s board meeting Thursday. The increase is set to go into effect on Oct. 1. The TVA said the increase translates to an average increase […]

In a first, Airbus has delivered an A320neo manufactured at its Mobile facility to JetSMART, a South American ultra low cost carrier. “Airbus’ manufacturing center in Mobile continues to achieve impressive new milestones, and it’s exciting to see JetSMART take delivery of a ‘Made in Alabama’ passenger jet that’s bound for South American skies,” Gov. […]

Forbes released its annual “Best Employers By State” list, ranking its 44 best places to work in Alabama for 2023.  The magazine partnered with market research firm Statista to survey 70,000 workers at companies (minimum of 500 employees) in all 50 states, evaluating their employer based on working conditions, compensation packages, potential for development, company […]