News
Project to build $202 million graphite processing plant in Alabama kicks off
KELLYTON, Alabama — Westwater Resources and its subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Products LLC, this morning officially launched construction of a first-of-its-kind graphite processing plant in Coosa County that will produce an essential material for electric vehicle batteries. The $202 million plant, which is being built in the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park just off U.S. 280…
Mercedes gives first look at electric EQS SUV coming to its Alabama assembly line
Mercedes-Benz gave the world a first glimpse today of the 2023 EQS sport utility vehicle, an all-electric luxury ride that will be built at the automaker’s Alabama plant later this year. The world premiere of the EQS SUV comes amid preparations at the Mercedes campuses in Tuscaloosa County, where the EQS and sibling EQE SUVs…
Toyota to invest $222 million to expand engine production in Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Global automaker Toyota announced plans today to invest $222 million at its manufacturing facility in Huntsville to create a new production line for four-cylinder engines, including a hybrid electric version. The project is part of a $383 million companywide plan that injects new investment into four U.S. manufacturing plants that support powertrain…
Dothan Warehouse to invest $8 million in new Alabama expansion
DOTHAN, Alabama — Dothan Warehouse plans to invest $8 million to expand its facility in Houston County in the second phase of a growth project, creating 25 jobs and broadening the commercial hub’s capabilities, according to the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. Phase 2 of the expansion calls for Dothan Warehouse to enlarge its warehouse…
Austal opens advanced $100 million steel shipbuilding facility in Mobile
MOBILE, Alabama — Austal USA marked the beginning of a new era at its Mobile shipyard with the Tuesday opening of a state-of-the-art facility for the production of steel ships for the U.S. Navy and other customers. The addition of steel shipbuilding capability complements the company’s aluminium shipbuilding expertise at its Alabama manufacturing site. “We are…
Hyundai to add first electric vehicles to Alabama production lineup
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Automaker Hyundai announced plans today to begin building the hybrid version of its Santa Fe sport utility along with the first electrified Genesis GV70 SUV as the Montgomery factory expands its U.S. production to include electric vehicles. To accommodate the growth, Hyundai plans to invest $300 million and create 200 jobs at…
Commerce book drive benefits Montgomery schools’ reading program
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce, along with AIDT, conducted a book drive as part of National Reading Month, collecting about 200 books for donation to help advance a reading initiative organized by Montgomery Public Schools. The gift benefited the Montgomery school system’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, which…
Across rural Alabama, downtowns are making an energetic comeback
Cities in rural Alabama are seeing a rebirth in their downtowns, with a blitz of new business openings, property renovations and multimillion-dollar investments. Pop-up shops, green spaces, art festivals and social media buzz are among the trends that are helping drive the efforts to bring merchants, residents and visitors back to the heart of the…
$120 million AUBix data center opens in Auburn as high-tech catalyst
AUBURN, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey joined company leaders, local officials and others at a grand opening ceremony today for AUBix, a $120 million data center in Auburn that will give businesses and public entities across Alabama a technological edge and enhanced access to high-speed internet. “I’m thrilled to see the AUBix data center project…
Alabama researchers focus on peanut genome to improve harvests
Peanuts are an important part of rural Alabama’s economy, and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is doing innovative research aimed at producing healthier harvests. Scientists at the Huntsville facility have partnered with the state’s farmers and agricultural industry leaders on genomic projects involving peanuts. The work involves an integrated approach, with researchers using input from…