News

Alabama claims Silver Shovel Award for 2022 economic development successes
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Area Development, a national business publication, has selected Alabama for its Silver Shovel Award, recognizing the state’s economic development successes during 2022. The honor reflects record results for Alabama’s economic development team, with companies announcing new facilities and expansion projects involving $10.1 billion in capital investment last…

Premier Tech opens $33 million U.S. headquarters, tech hub in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Canada-based Premier Tech on Tuesday officially commissioned a new state-of-the-art U.S. headquarters for its Systems and Automation business group in Montgomery, culminating a $33 million investment project. The 167,000-square-foot Alabama facility will become Premier Tech’s new solution hub for its American clients, allowing for increased reaction time and an enhanced customer experience. Premier Tech’s Systems…

Walmart plans $350 million in high-tech upgrades at Alabama distribution hub
CULLMAN, Alabama — Retail giant Walmart announced plans today to invest $350 million to add high-tech robotics and automation technologies to its regional distribution center in Cullman. The investment will improve the hub’s productivity, enabling it to double shipments and keep the shelves stocked at the Walmart stores it serves. It will also serve to…

Report: 2022 investment projects to generate 1,900 jobs in rural Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield announced today that new capital investment by growing companies in rural Alabama approached $1.8 billion during 2022, building on solid economic development results registered in recent years. The new investment projects are also bringing 1,900 jobs to rural Alabama, with communities such as Courtland, Selma, Greenville, Fayette and…

Mexican airline takes delivery of Airbus jet in milestone for Alabama facility
MOBILE, Alabama — Airbus said today that Mexico’s ultra-low-cost airline Volaris has taken delivery of an A320neo from Airbus’ U.S.-based production facility in Alabama, marking the first time a non-U.S. airline to take delivery of an aircraft produced at the site. With this aircraft, Volaris — Latin America’s largest A320neo Family operator — will expand…

Kronospan plans $350 million Alabama expansion for OSB production
OXFORD, Alabama — Kronospan, a leading producer of wood panel products, announced plans to invest $350 million to open an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) manufacturing plant on its Alabama production campus as part of an expansion that will create 125 jobs. Once the growth project is completed, Kronospan will employ 600 people at the Oxford…

VT MAE adding 200 workers at Mobile aircraft overhaul facility
MOBILE, Alabama — VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering Inc. plans to add 200 jobs as it equips its Mobile facility to convert and modify Airbus A320 Family passenger jets as cargo aircraft, providing another boost to the region’s aerospace/aviation sector. “This expansion project builds on Mobile’s soaring success in the aerospace industry, further solidifying our position as…

Space & Rocket Center marks milestone with Space Camp Ops Center
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a global leader in STEM training for students, is blasting into the future with a new state-of-the-art facility that will provide next-level education opportunities. On Friday, Governor Kay Ivey and Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield joined Space & Rocket Center officials and local leaders in Huntsville for…

Walton joins Commerce business development team as senior project manager
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Gary Walton Jr., a community and economic development professional whose experience includes working on strategic innovation initiatives, has joined the Alabama Department of Commerce’s business development team as senior project manager. Walton joins Commerce as Alabama’s lead economic development agency seeks to build on record levels of inbound investment in 2022 and…

Growing companies adding 240 jobs with Mobile County projects
MOBILE, Alabama — 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…


