News
First Solar plans $1.1 billion Alabama manufacturing facility with 700 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — First Solar Inc. plans to invest $1.1 billion to establish a photovoltaic (PV) solar module manufacturing facility in Lawrence County, creating over 700 jobs in North Alabama, according to an announcement today by Governor Kay Ivey. The new factory is part of the company’s previously announced investment in scaling its American manufacturing…
NASA’s newest rocket, SLS, blasts off with Alabama DNA
NASA’s Space Launch System — the space agency’s most powerful rocket ever — blasted off on its inaugural mission early this morning, thanks to major contributions from scientists, engineers, technicians and other workers in Alabama. Following the successful launch, NASA’s Orion spacecraft is on its way to the Moon as part of the Artemis program.…
Renovated state parks showcase rural Alabama’s advantages
EUFAULA, Alabama — New additions and renovations are under way at several Alabama State Parks, which are showcasing the natural assets and quality-of-life advantages of rural counties. At Lakepoint State Park in Barbour County, recent projects include an archery park and an off-road vehicle course. Both developments, along with newly-renovated cabins, are gaining popularity among…
Beyond Gravity doubling production of rocket structures in Alabama expansion
DECATUR, Alabama — Switzerland-based Beyond Gravity, a manufacturer of structures for launch vehicles, said Thursday it is adding a new production facility in Decatur to provide additional payload fairings for the United Launch Alliance’s next-generation Alabama-built Vulcan rockets. Beyond Gravity said it is working with ULA to build the new production facility, which will add…
Governor Ivey tapped for Alabama auto manufacturing group’s Hall of Fame
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA), a trade group representing companies in the dynamic and fast-growing industry, named Governor Kay Ivey to its Hall of Fame at a Thursday night dinner in Birmingham. Ron Davis, the AAMA’s president and chairman, praised Governor Ivey for her steadfast commitment to facilitating the growth of…
Hyundai Mobis plans Alabama EV battery module plant, creating 400 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey joined executives of Hyundai Mobis, one of the world’s largest auto suppliers, today to announce the company’s plans to invest $205 million to open an EV battery module plant in Montgomery that will eventually employ at least 400 people. Once it reaches full production, the 450,000-square-foot facility will be…
Summit: Rural Alabama poised for job growth as project momentum builds
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Growing businesses injected nearly $1.7 billion in new capital investment into Alabama’s rural counties last year in a sign of continuing vitality, according to data released today by the Alabama Department of Commerce in conjunction with a summit for the state’s rural developers. These projects will create over 1,600 jobs in rural…
Alabama-Japan relationship celebrated as robust bonds strengthen
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Workforce development guru Ed Castile and six growing companies were recognized Thursday night at a ceremony that showcased the strong economic and cultural ties between Alabama and Japan. The Japan-America Society of Alabama (JASA) dinner at the Westin Huntsville brought together leaders from government, economic development, education and culture in support of…
HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator launches with first start-up class
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Five innovative start-up companies make up the inaugural class in the HudsonAlpha AgTech Investment Accelerator, a new initiative from the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and the global venture and accelerator firm gener8tor. The 12-week accelerator invests $100,000 in five startups at the forefront of the agricultural technology industry. The Huntsville-based accelerator seeks…
Manna Capital Partners plans $600 million Alabama beverage product hub
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Manna Capital Partners plans to invest nearly $600 million to construct an advanced beverage production and distribution complex in Montgomery, Governor Kay Ivey announced today. Manna Capital Partners, a minority-owned business enterprise and investment firm, said its Montgomery “beverage park” will create 280 full-time jobs and will be owned and operated by…