Mobile’s Austal USA, a state-of-the-art ship manufacturing facility, has won a contract from the Navy potentially worth $3.195 billion. The contract commissions Austal USA to design and construct up to seven TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. The company is partnering with L3Harris, Noise Control Engineering, TAI Engineering, and Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors. TAGOS ships are used […]

Records are made to be broken and the Yellowhammer State continues to do so in the economic arena. A record low 51,462 people are unemployed in Alabama, according to the latest figures released today by the governor’s office. That number is down from 53,017 in March and 57,712 in April 2022. The preliminary, seasonally adjusted […]

Innovate Alabama is continuing its push to help fund small businesses throughout the state of Alabama. The organization announced this week that it will be opening a third round of applications for small businesses seeking funding beginning June 1. The businesses can be awarded up to $250,000. Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield said she is […]

We chatted with Sid Pugh, North Alabama REALTOR® and local broker of The Pugh Group,  to gain insight on the Alabama market and learn how buyers can take their best shot at winning a contract. “Inventory of homes on the market is still very low in most areas. Nationwide we are over 5 million homes […]

Skateboarding has caught the attention of downtown Birmingham and the City of Huntsville with the public support of legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. However, there is still a need for a significant home base in the state. While City Walk in Birmingham attracted more than 45,000 visitors in just six months, the growing interest in skateboarding […]

Airbus is known globally for its technological contributions to the aviation industry. Over the past few years, however, the company has begun contributing in a way that may help shape the company’s future. Michelle Hurdle, the company’s director of Workforce and Economic Development, discussed Airbus’ influence in education, particularly in the Mobile area. “In this […]

In his first hearing as ranking member of the U.S. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville called reliable broadband throughout the state, especially in rural areas, “vital.” “In today’s day and age, access to reliable internet service is not a want—it is a need. It’s vital,” said […]

We chatted with Sid Pugh, North Alabama REALTOR® and local broker of The Pugh Group,  to gain insight on the Alabama market and learn how buyers can take their best shot at winning a contract. “Inventory of homes on the market is still very low in most areas. Nationwide we are over 5 million homes […]

Sierra Pacific Windows announced it will be expanding into the Yellowhammer State with a manufacturing plant in Phenix City. The new plant is 610,000 square feet on a 113-acre campus. The California-based company hopes that the new location will allow it to increase production capacity and more efficiently meet customers’ demands across the country. In […]

Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered key Integrated Battle Command System components for Poland’s medium-range air defense program. The recent delivery of the IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network relays supports the WISŁA program’s fielding schedule, which is the first foreign military sale of IBCS, the company said in a news release. “Northrop Grumman is transforming decision […]

The Biden Administration is battling what it terms “junk fees.” Is this consumer protection, or will it simply create additional costly regulation? The answer depends largely on how one views competition in markets. The term junk fees include bank overdraft fees, credit card late fees, airline baggage and seat selection fees, hotel resort and destination […]

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said keeping and developing workers must be a priority for the state’s economic development efforts. “In all my years of public service, I have never seen our state so full of opportunities,” she said. “This is our opportunity; let’s not waste a moment.” Ivey addressed business leaders from across the state at […]

TUSKEGEE, Alabama — The Regional East Alabama Logistics (REAL) Park, which aims to supercharge economic growth in the Tuskegee region, is open for business with the commissioning of the first building in the logistics hub. Doster Construction Co. and Farpoint Development announced this week that construction has been completed on Building 100, an expandable 168,000-square-foot structure that’s […]

SEATTLE — The REI Cooperative Action Fund has granted Alabama’s Singing River Trail $100,000 as part of a $4 million investment in 40 nonprofit organizations. “This new investment is our largest to date, demonstrating the power of our community when we come together to make a positive impact,” said Kristen Ragain, REI Cooperative Action Fund managing […]

Looking to the future, Davidson Technologies recently broke ground for its global headquarters at Huntsville’s Redstone Gateway. The new single-tenant building, scheduled for completion during the first quarter 2024, will modernize Davidson’s facilities, increase proximity to their customers, and provide additional capabilities. It will also provide the security necessary for Davidson’s customers and warfighters. In […]

“That can’t be true,” a young girl from Cullman insists. The year is 1957 and her mother has just told her of the latest band of optimists that have come through the state en route to Blount County. The first few times she caught wind of this, she was sure she had misheard. This story, […]

Two companies are launching growth projects in the Mobile area, bringing a combined $98 million in new capital investment and almost 240 jobs, according to the Mobile Chamber. The companies are: Georgia-based Chart Industries plans to invest $73.7 million to open a second production site in Mobile County to increase manufacturing capacity of its cryogenic containers. […]

Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey finalized “The Game Plan,” signing into law several bills aimed at supporting job-creation projects, investing in more industry-ready sites, and solidifying Alabama’s edge in securing such endeavors against our neighboring states. Thanks to the governor’s initiative and innovation, and the Legislature’s support and hard work, Alabama now has a secure […]

In a push aimed to train truck drivers in Alabama, Coca-Cola UNITED made a special delivery to the Alabama Community College System. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, the company delivered two 16-bay, side-load, manual transmission diesel trucks to the ACCS. Gianetta Jones, UNITED senior vice president and chief people officer, said the partnership between her […]

In a time when many agricultural and manufacturing jobs are leaving the United States, one Alabama family-owned business is going against the grain and growing its own cotton and manufacturing from that cotton. The business, Red Land Cotton, was co-founded by Mark Yeager and his daughter, Anna Brakefield, in Lawrence County in 2015. For Yeager, […]

The Birmingham Business Alliance has named Steve Ammons as CEO. An organization insider, Ammons will take the reins May 30. “I am excited to expand my service to the seven-county Greater Birmingham region with the BBA,” he said. “Birmingham has more opportunities in front of us than ever before.” “I look forward to working closely with […]

In April, Reuters reported “US manufacturing boom has a real estate problem.” According to state leaders, Alabama, like many other states, is encountering a symptom of economic development success: Running low on available sites for industrial development.  With the state’s tool kit of economic incentives renewed officially until 2028, one component of the “Game Plan” […]

The world’s largest producer of aircraft celebrated a company milestone Monday in the Port City. At an event that included elected, industry and business officials, Airbus announced it had produced Delta Airlines’ 100th U.S.-made Airbus A320 family aircraft. “Delta has had a truly essential role in the growth story of Airbus in Mobile and manufacturing […]

In response to the critical need for internet access, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has developed the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program. Through this program, ADECA is providing technical assistance for communities seeking to expand broadband infrastructure and services in all of Alabama’s 67 counties. Meetings have been scheduled to produce […]