News
Made-in-Alabama gift: Pens crafted from Bourbon barrels
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The handcrafted ink pens Joel Lockridge fashions in a small woodworking shop at his Birmingham area home are fueling a mini export boom from Alabama to parts all over the world. “I’ve now shipped to 27 countries and counting — some I’ve even had to Google to figure out exactly where I was shipping,” Lockridge said.…
FreightCar America adding 150-200 jobs in $10 million Alabama expansion
CHEROKEE, Alabama — Chicago-based FreightCar America Inc. announced plans today to expand railcar production in Alabama as part of a $10 million project that will create 150 to 200 jobs in Colbert County. FreightCar America said it plans to launch an additional production line at the operation in Cherokee, allowing it to meet growing demand for its new types…
Chairman: Airbus Alabama production center expands U.S. presence
MOBILE, Alabama — With customer deliveries of Alabama-made Airbus A320 Family aircraft set to begin in 2016, the European manufacturer is counting on its new production facility at Mobile Aeroplex to expand its presence in the world’s largest aviation market, according to Airbus Group Chairman Allan McArtor. “We want to be here permanently and understood to…
Business Alabama publishes 2015 Alabama Economic Development Guide
Business Alabama has published its 2015 Alabama Economic Development Guide, a comprehensive examination of the state’s economic climate, its key industry sectors and resources, as well as the advantages it offers for investment. The 2015 Alabama Economic Development Guide features in-depth articles focusing on the state’s geographical regions, its emerging industries, its expanding advanced manufacturing…
4 Alabama metros rank in Top 100 of ‘America’s Smartest Cities’
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Four Alabama metropolitan areas ranked among the nation’s 100 “Smartest Cities” in an analysis that examines which metro areas are gaining brainpower in the 21st Century. To compile its list, researcher NewGeography scored the nation’s 380 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on three criteria related to gains in educational attainment since 2000.…
Sylacauga Marble Quarry venture plans rebirth for Alabama white marble
SYLACAUGA, Alabama – The belt of white marble that runs beneath this central Alabama city once yielded gleaming columns, panels and other architectural elements found in monuments, government buildings, hotels and banks across the nation. For several decades, however, creamy Alabama marble has been in short supply for high-profile commercial and government projects. A new…
Alabama’s October jobless rate falls to 6.3% amid positive signs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – A report on Alabama’s unemployment rate in October points to continuing improvement in the state’s economy. Consider: October’s preliminary rate was 6.3 percent, down from September’s rate of 6.6 percent and even with the rate a year ago. The number of employed Alabamians reached 1,948,000, the highest figure since December 2008, before…
Oxford Pharmaceuticals to invest $29 million in Alabama facility
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — British startup Oxford Pharmaceuticals LLC announced plans today to invest $29.4 million to build a 120,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Birmingham that will employ as many as 200 people when fully operational, according to the Birmingham Business Alliance. Oxford Pharmaceuticals’ facility in the Jefferson Metropolitan Park at Lakeshore will create 61 jobs when it opens in…
Alabama Robotics Technology Park ready for expansion (update)
TANNER, Alabama – Construction work is beginning on an expansion at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RPT) that will add new capabilities to a facility that’s already considered one of the world’s most innovative training centers. A groundbreaking ceremony for the RTP’s Integration, Entrepreneurial and Paint Dispensing Training Center was held Friday, Oct. 31. The…
United Launch Alliance Alabama factory turns rocket science into rockets (update)
DECATUR, Alabama – Inside the United Launch Alliance Alabama factory, rocket science powers to life as workers assemble the giant Atlas and Delta launch vehicles that thrust critical satellites aloft and blast probes into deep space. The sprawling, one-of-a-kind plant tucked away on an industrial road in this Morgan County city plays an important role…