Washington County seeks federal money for water tank at planned business park
 

Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Jeff Amy, Press-Register

The Washington County Commission has agreed to seek a $700,000 federal grant to help build a water tank, breathing new life into a plan for a business park that had been sputtering.

The commission had earlier rejected the grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, saying the county didn't have enough money to chip in for a local match. But business advocates have said they hope to structure the application to cut the county's contribution, which would normally be a matching $700,000.

"We're just doing an application," said Probate Judge Charles Singleton, who chairs the commission. "Until we sign documents, we haven't made any commitments. Let's see if it's a deal the county can swing."

The county agreed last fall to lease 20 acres on U.S. 43, about two miles south of McIntosh, to a partnership of Goldin Materials Corp. of Gulfport and Dunn Real Estate of Birmingham. The developers pledged to pay $2,000 a month for 30 months and build at least one office-warehouse building. In return, the partners received an option to buy the land at the end of the two-and-a-half years for another $90,000. They also hold options to buy 58 adjoining acres owned by Washington County.

The idea is to build a Washington County home for industrial service firms brought to the area by ThyssenKrupp AG. The county bought the land in 2007, just before the $5 billion steel complex was announced, with the intention of offering it to an industrial prospect. The business park is an alternate strategy to bring jobs to the rural county, where the unemployment rate was 14.7 percent in January. 

more...

Press Register 

Alabama Aircraft Industries asks bankruptcy judge to terminate UAW contract

 

Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Russell Hubbard -- The Birmingham News

Alabama Aircraft Industries Inc. has asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to terminate the union contract covering 325 workers at the Birmingham airport and trim wages, warning that the company otherwise faces liquidation.

The Birmingham-based company cited law that permits bankruptcy courts to approve such union terminations given certain conditions, which Alabama Aircraft said apply in this case.

The company once known as Pemco Aeroplex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, stung by a string of financial losses, missing out on a $1.1 billion U.S. Air Force contract and high pension obligations tied to the contract with the United Auto Workers.

The company said in the court filing late last week that 78 percent of costs stem from wages, medical benefits and the pension plan.

"The debtors will not be able to survive" without modifications, the court filing said.

Attempts to reach officials with the United Auto Workers were unsuccessful. Alabama Aircraft's papers filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware cite about $70.6 million of liabilities and assets of $10 million or less. About $68.5 million is owed to the UAW pension plan.

more...

Birmingham News 

Officials seeking broadband for counties

 

By Evan Belanger

By September, ConnectingALABAMA will implement a short-term action plan to promote local development of broadband Internet infrastructure, officials said Tuesday.

In a meeting at Decatur's Turner-Surles Community Resource Center, officials told roughly 35 attendees - some of them local residents without broadband Internet access - their input would help develop the plan state and local agencies will use to request federal funding.

"As some of you are aware, President (Barack) Obama did put some money into his budget to help expand broadband in the United States," said North-central Alabama Regional Council of Governments Director Neal Morrison. "What we're going to do and what we're attempting to do is basically figure out a way to tap into that money."

The meeting, organized by the NARCOG and ConnectingALABAMA - a federally funded state agency - was the third such meeting held in Decatur.

more...

Decatur Daily 

Innovation Depot in race for top industry award

 

Published: Monday, March 14, 2011, 12:10 PM Updated: Monday, March 14, 2011, 12:15 PM

By The Birmingham News

Birmingham's Innovation Depot has been named as one of two finalists for the National Business Incubation Association's Incubator of the Year award in the technology focus category.

The winner will be announced April 12 at a conference in San Jose, Calif.

"Business incubation programs like the Innovation Depot catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful," the NBIA said.

The group didn't name the other finalist in a statement about Innovation Depot.

Birmingham News

2011 World Trade Conference, May 1-3
 

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce will host the regional World Trade Conference May 1-3, 2011 at Marriott's Grand Hotel and Resort in Point Clear. The World Trade Conference is an alliance of organizations in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and northwest Florida who share international business interests. The event itself rotates in location annually between the four states and was last held in Mobile in 2007. The 2011 conference will focus on the United Arab Emirates.  Over the past decade, U.S. trade with the U.A.E. has grown to become one of the pillars in the region.  U.S. exports have grown from $2.3 billion in 2000 to $12.1 billion in 2009, making the U.A.E. the top market in the Middle East/North Africa region for U.S. exports.  During the conference, seminars and meetings will highlight opportunities, challenges, and aspects of doing business with the U.A.E.

Export markets are not only vital to economic development but also to your company's growth. This year's conference will feature business leaders and officials from Washington, Dubai, and our region to help:

·         Identify new export opportunities with the U.A.E.

·         Obtain the resources necessary to succeed in the U.A.E.

·         Develop market entry strategies

·         One-on-one meetings with Commercial Service representatives

Please view the following link for a conference program. 

Click here for REGISTRATION