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…
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…
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…
‘Building 100’ in I-85 logistics hub opens amid ambitious growth plans
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — The Regional East Alabama Logistics (REAL) Park, which aims to supercharge economic growth in the Tuskegee region, is open for business with the commissioning of the first building in the logistics hub. Doster Construction Co. and Farpoint Development announced this week that construction has been completed on Building 100, an expandable 168,000-square-foot…
Unique partnership enables broadband network in rural Macon County
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — Many businesses and homes in Macon County now have the capability of connecting to a next-generation fiber broadband network, thanks to a partnership that pools state grants, private investment and philanthropic funding. Joe Turnham, director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), said the project represents a transformative opportunity to drive long-term economic…
Auto supplier Samkee Corp. selects Alabama for its first U.S. plant
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Samkee Corp., a major South Korean automotive supplier, plans to invest $128 million to open its first U.S. factory in Alabama through a project that will create 170 jobs in Tuskegee and provide an economic boost for Macon County. After finalizing agreements with state and local…
Resicum plans aviation training facility at Selma’s Craig Field
SELMA, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Resicum International LLC, which provides flight training and maintenance support to government, commercial and general aviation customers, plans to open an aviation training academy at Craig Field in Selma that will prepare the next generation of industry professionals from around the world. Resicum plans to invest…
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…
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…
Second ‘Made in Alabama’ Showcase features top homegrown products
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey recognized 14 companies and their exceptional homegrown products at the second “Made in Alabama” Showcase at the state Capitol today. Governor Ivey invited the businesses to exhibit their products in the Old Supreme Court Library during a ceremony today. Eleven exhibitors showcased their products, shared their company history, and…
