Alabama’s business climate scores near top in new rankings
Business Facilities, a national economic development publication, ranked Alabama’s business climate among the top states in an analysis evaluating key economic categories. Alabama earned the No. 5 spot in the magazine’s flagship business climate ranking, while also earning high marks for workforce training, manufacturing employment and output, and the horsepower of the state’s auto industry.…
‘Next’ campaign to showcase Alabama’s high-tech capabilities
In case you’ve missed a headline or two, Alabama is moving in a next-level direction across multiple industries. Its aerospace engineers are building future generation rockets while its scientists are unraveling genetic mysteries. At the same time, ultra-modern Alabama factories are revolutionizing how products are made and advancing mobility technologies that will change the way…
Hyundai Alabama launches mass production of Santa Cruz sport utility
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) celebrated the production launch of the all-new 2022 Santa Cruz sport utility at the automaker’s Montgomery facility on Tuesday, expanding the plant’s family of Alabama-built vehicles to five. A gray Santa Cruz, adorned with a red bow, rolled off the Montgomery plant’s assembly line during a ceremony…
Westwater Resources plans first U.S. graphite processing plant in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Westwater Resources Inc. announced plans today to build a first-of-its-kind advanced graphite processing plant in Coosa County, putting Alabama at the forefront in the production of an essential material in batteries that power electrical vehicles, electronics and other green energy products and equipment. Westwater said its Alabama Graphite Products LLC subsidiary plans…
Alabama wins Gold Shovel Award for 2020 economic development
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Area Development, a prominent national business publication, has selected Alabama for its Gold Shovel Award, recognizing the state’s economic development success in the manufacturing sector during a challenging 2020. The honor follows a year of strong results for Alabama, with companies announcing new facilities and expansion…
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing unveils first Alabama production model
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) today announced the first vehicle in the production lineup at its Alabama manufacturing plant – the all-new Corolla Cross – following on the heels of a Toyota announcement this morning. The joint venture partnership between Mazda Motor Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. is in a hiring boom to…
Hyundai debuts new Santa Cruz ahead of Alabama production launch
Hyundai’s newest production model — the highly anticipated 2022 Santa Cruz sport adventure vehicle — made its worldwide debut today as the automaker’s Alabama plant readies to launch its assembly. The Santa Cruz, which combines the versatile open bed of a pickup with the attributes of an SUV, made its first appearance in 2015 as…
Economic development report card shows $4.8 billion in 2020 investment
MONTGOMERY — Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, economic development activity across Alabama in 2020 generated close to $5 billion in new capital investment and almost 10,000 job commitments, Governor Kay Ivey announced today. With significant growth projects recorded in key strategic industrial sectors, Governor Ivey said the activity will strengthen the foundations…
Auto supplier Valeo plans manufacturing site in Alabama with 70 jobs
BESSEMER, Alabama — Automotive supplier Valeo North America announced today that it will invest $5 million in a facility in Jefferson County, creating 70 jobs and providing another boost to the Birmingham region’s presence in the auto manufacturing industry. The Birmingham Business Alliance announced Valeo’s plans today. “Valeo North America is pleased to announce the opening a new facility in…
5 trends powering Alabama’s economic recovery and growth in 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic threw a monkey wrench in Alabama’s economy last year, interrupting a golden period of substantial growth and casting doubt on whether the momentum could be regained. Fortunately for Alabama, the economic foundation built over the past several years looks resilient. Plus, the economic development pipeline for 2021 continues to flow with high-caliber…
