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Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an EDPA Partner.
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ADECA Chief to Mobile Works: Airbus a 'point of pride for all Alabamians'
Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 4:56 PM By Kelli Dugan, Press-Register
MOBILE, Alabama - South Alabama has become the economic recruitment envy of the state in recent months, and local workforce development leaders should take pride in the well-deserved spotlight, attendees of the Mobile Works annual meeting were told Wednesday. "You're very blessed with this particular location, with the airfield, with the port, and that all of those amenities intersected at precisely the right time to lure a partner like Airbus," Jim Byard Jr., director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, told the group that pairs employers seeking qualified workers with prospects and training programs. "Airbus is such a major announcement across the nation, but with Brookley Aeroplex and the infrastructure Mobile already brings to the table, this was just such a natural decision, and it should be a point of pride for all Alabamians," Byard said. The European planemaker unveiled plans in July to construct a $600 million aircraft assembly plant at Brookley. The project is expected to generate at least 3,000 construction-related jobs and employ around 1,000 when production begins in 2015. more...
[Press-Register]
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Toyota plans to break ground on V6 engine expansion at Huntsville plant
Published: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 9:49 AM
By Marian Accardi, The Huntsville Times
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Toyota plans to break ground Tuesday on a 300,000-square-foot V6 engine expansion project at its Huntsville plant.
Jim Bolte, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama; U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie are scheduled to speak at the 9 a.m. event.
At an announcement in May, Gov. Robert Bentley said the expansion would mean about 125 new jobs at the plant, bringing the number of employees to 1,150.
With the expansion, the plant will produce 3.5-litre V6 engines for Highlander models assembled at a plant in Princeton, Ind.In May, it was announced that the $80 million project will bring Toyota's total investment to more than $700 million in Huntsville, and the extra space will allow the plant to build 216,000 more engines each year, increasing its total V6 annual capacity to 362,000.
The expansion is the fourth in the facility's 10-year operation.Engines built at the Huntsville plant go into eight of the 12 vehicles that Toyota builds in North America.
more...
[Huntsville Times]
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ACECET facility opens to praise for unique energy-saving programs
Published: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 8:15 AM By Mike Kelley, 42 staff
DECATUR, Alabama - Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck welcomed a small crowd of perhaps 100 who turned out for Wednesday's opening of the Alabama Center of Excellence in Clean Energy Technology, telling them the new facility would serve a key role in putting Alabama on the map in the growing renewable energy field.
Beck said the renovated more than 30-year old facility will serve as a state and national model for clean and renewable energy. A $3.47 million Department of Labor grant funded its renovation to Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) Platinum standards, the highest energy-efficiency designation awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
It was a bright, sunshiny day. ACECET Director Jerry Adams pointed to the large solar arrays that shaded parts of the parking lot, joking that the sunshine would be great for the energy generation. He called completion of the facility "the fulfillment of a dream, to have a place where students could learn about energy developments today and tomorrow."
"With this facility, we can teach these technologies today," he said.
more... [al.com] |
Panalpina shows off new Boeing 747-8 P
Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2012, 8:14 PM By
Martin Swant --- The Birmingham News
Huntsville, Alabama -- Panalpina showed off its newer, bigger, quieter, greener cargo plane -- the Boeing 747-8 -- today to its staff, regional clients and government officials at the Huntsville International Airport.
The Switzerland-based freight company recently began flying two leased 747-8s, which are operated by
Atlas Air but painted with Panalpina's logo and colors.
The aircraft, which took its debut flight in early summer from Everett, Wash. to Hong Kong, is visiting a number of Panalpina's hubs around the world. Huntsville is the only stop in the U.S.
The aircraft is 18.3 ft. longer and 13 ft. wider than the earlier 747-4. It can carry 16 percent more (a total of 140 tons), produces 12 percent better carbon footprint (12 percent fewer emissions and 12 percent more fuel efficient) and makes 30 percent less noise. more... [Birmingham News] |
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LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER! Website: www.innovatealabama.com Place: Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. $250.00 - Full Conference for October 2 & 3: $75.00 - Oct. 2 Dinner Event Only $175.00 - Oct. 3 Full Conference Day Only Click For: Registration Speakers Sponsors |
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Val Walton
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