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Here is today's summary of economic development news, presented by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
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Alabama business leaders more optimistic about economy
Published: Monday, January 31, 2011, 5:30 PM
By Jeff Amy, Press-Register
MOBILE, Ala. -- Alabama business leaders are feeling better about the economy, and Mobile's industry chiefs are more optimistic than their brethren in the rest of the state.
The University of Alabama's business confidence index rose to 55 for the first quarter of 2011. That's well above the midpoint of 50 that signals expansion, and up from 47.9 in the fourth quarter.
It's a sharp improvement for the business yardstick, which surveyed 247 executives in early December about their outlook for the first three months of the year. The survey asked business people if they believe the national and state economies will expand or contract in the coming quarter, and how they expect sales, profits, hiring and capital spending to change in their own industry.
In 2010's third quarter, statewide confidence moved into positive territory for the first time since late 2007. But it dipped back into negative outlook in the last three months of 2010. The improvement in this survey indicates an economic recovery that's on firmer ground, wrote Carolyn Trent, an analyst with the university. more... Press Register link |
Rebirth of Wise Alloys plant means jobs for Muscle Shoals region
Published: Monday, January 31, 2011, 9:30 AM
By Bernie Delinski -- The Florence Times-Daily
FLORENCE - The parking lots appear full outside the massive Wise Alloys Listerhill plant.
Inside, coils of aluminum and 15-ton castings are rolled out.
Major deals with Anheuser-Busch InBev and Coca-Cola - two giants in the beverage can industry - have made long-term expectations high. Jobs appear secure for the 1,000 Wise employees as production levels are reaching nearly 1 billion pounds of product per year.
Joe Pampinto, senior vice president and plant manager, said the figure is impressive considering most of its product weighs less than in previous years because it's a lighter aluminum gauge for cans.
"We've added about 75 to 100 direct jobs in the last year," Pampinto said. "With increased volume comes increased spending in the community.
"We're definitely positioned for a very bright future, and there's a lot of exciting things down the line."
Today's announcement of another $25 million expansion that will bring 43 more workers to the plant is further evidence that Wise Alloys is on solid footing in the Shoals.
more...
Times Daily link |
Biotech company iXpressGenes creating new DNA for research at Huntsville's HudsonAlpha Institute
Published: Tuesday, February 01, 2011, 6:30 AM
By Lee Roop, The Huntsville Times
HUNTSVILLE, AL - A Huntsville startup company is using the emerging science of synthetic biology to create "biological Legos" scientists can use to modify living organisms. Dr. Joseph Ng's company, iXpressGenes, is making genes "from scratch" now in a laboratory at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. "Scratch" is the key word, Ng said last week. "Instead of cutting and pasting existing genes, we are creating new ones," Ng said.
The new genes can, in turn, control the biological functions of the organisms in which they are placed. Ng and others in the emerging field believe that will lead to such things as molecules that absorb and metabolize oil or light up in the presence of pathogens. An example of the latter would be wall paint that changes color in the presence of certain chemicals. "That's already being done," Ng said.
Other projected uses include creation of new biofuels and diagnosing and targeting diseases. What makes a biosensor better than current sensors? "You cannot beat the sensitivity of any biological system," Ng said, citing the example of a shark's nasal receptors that can sense blood across a kilometer of ocean.
Synthetic biology is the latest outgrowth of the history of genetics. First, the human genome was charted and links established between certain genes and certain diseases, then scientists began replicating, cutting and splicing genes for research and to modify agricultural products such as corn and wheat. more... Huntsville Times link |
2011 EDAA Winter Conference
February 7-9, 2011
Montgomery Renaissance Hotel & Spa, Montgomery, AL.
201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Room reservations can be made by calling 1.877.545.0311.
Room rates are $139.00 per night. Reservations must be made before January 7, 2011 to guarantee the conference rate.
Monday, February 07, 2011 12:00 PM -
Wednesday, February 09, 2011 11:00 AM
Agenda and registration available online: click here
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