News
Enviva kicks off construction on wood pellet plant in Sumter County
EPES, Alabama — Bethesda, Maryland-based Enviva Inc., the world’s leading producer of sustainably sourced woody biomass, recorded a milestone today with a ceremony to mark the official start of construction on a wood pellet plant in Sumter County. Governor Kay Ivey joined Enviva executives and community leaders at the groundbreaking event this afternoon at the…
Commerce team wraps 2023 Paris Air Show mission eyeing future growth
PARIS — The Alabama Department of Commerce team wrapped up its mission to the 2023 Paris Air Show on Wednesday after gaining strategic insights into the dynamic trends reshaping the aerospace industry and uncovering potential new growth projects that could bring investment and jobs back home. Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said he and his team…
Alabama researchers power innovations for aerospace industry
Universities across Alabama are hubs of research and collaboration focused on the aerospace and aviation industries, and the innovations launched on campus hold major real-world promise. Professors and students alike are involved in the efforts, which range from emerging technologies in niche corners of the sector to broad initiatives that would be felt among many…
Southeast Alabama community looks to give aerospace sector a lift
ANDALUSIA, Alabama — A recent expansion at Covington County’s South Alabama Regional Airport illustrates rural Alabama’s key contributions to the state’s growing aerospace/aviation industry — and reflects a primary economic development focus for the region. A major Australian helicopter firm, McDermott Aviation, and its longtime U.S.-based business partner, Isolair Inc., announced plans to open at…
Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. plans $232M Alabama micro-reactor assembly plant
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., (USNC) a Seattle-based company that’s expanding micro-reactor technologies, plans to invest $232 million to locate a facility in Gadsden to produce its industry-leading Micro-Modular Reactor. The highly automated MMR Assembly Plant (MAP) will manufacture, assemble, test and inspect the non-radiological modules needed…
Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ explores new growth areas in aerospace and beyond
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — From the Saturn V to the Space Launch System, Huntsville continues to cement its legacy as the Rocket City. Keeping the momentum going is a top priority for the region’s business recruiters, who are constantly asking, “What’s next?” Leaders from Huntsville and Madison County are joining others from across Alabama this week…
Boeing’s Alabama operation writes new chapters in innovation
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Boeing’s deep roots in Alabama continue to help shape the state’s flourishing aerospace industry while also notching global milestones. A major highlight for the company’s Huntsville operations this past year was the successful performance of NASA’s Space Launch System, the next-generation rocket that is leading the way into future deep-space travel. Boeing,…
Alabama firms make international connections at Paris Air Show
PARIS — The Alabama team at the 2023 Paris Air Show has a major focus on recruiting new aerospace jobs and investment, but this year’s mission has a wrinkle — helping homegrown companies claim a spot on the international business stage. For the first time, three Alabama firms are attending the aerospace industry’s biggest trade…
Growing Alabama to support improvements at Wiregrass industrial park
DOTHAN, Alabama — The Industrial Development Board of the City of Dothan is receiving $1 million in grant funding to assist in making infrastructure improvements to the Napier Field Industrial Park thanks to the Growing Alabama program. The Alabama Renewal Commission this month approved the IDB’s application for support from the Growing Alabama program, which…
Birmingham team pitches aerospace growth potential at Paris Air Show
PARIS — A group of economic development specialists, airport leaders and government officials from the Birmingham region has landed at the 2023 Paris Air Show with a strategic plan to elevate the profile of Alabama’s largest metro area in the aerospace industry. “Team BHM” is telling industry decision-makers about ambitious growth initiatives at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth…