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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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Huntsville to host export controls conference Published: Friday, October 12, 2012
By Martin Swant | mswant@al.com
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The North Alabama International Trade Association is hosting an export control conference next week to help businesses navigate the compliance process for exporting sensitive equipment, software and technology.
NAITA, in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce's Birmingham export assistance center and other groups, is bringing in a number of exports from the Washington, D.C. area to talk with companies about how to avoid fines or jail time. Conference topics include the regulatory framework of the U.S. internal trade controls, changes in export control reform and compliance challenges with various parties.
The conference is on Oct. 15 and 16 at Embassy Suites in downtown Huntsville. Export controls are most commonly associated with exporting military or other technology that could be potentially dangerous to national security or intellectual property rights.
One of the companies that must navigate export controls is Lockheed Martin Space System Co. The company's export sales to foreign governments have increased over the past three years, from 13 percent of net sales in 2009, to 15 percent in 2010, to 17 percent in 2011. Those sales include foreign military sales funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Government.
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WSCC incubator receives $200,000 'jump start'
By Trent Moore The Cullman Times
Mon Oct 15, 2012
CULLMAN - The new "green" business incubator at Wallace State in Hanceville is still in its infancy, but officials hope a new $200,000 state grant can help the economic engine reach the next gear.
The incubator, dubbed the Appalachian Regional Commission Center for Entrepeneurship and Energy Innovations, has received an appropriation from the state which will be used to help in the college's goal to get "green," sustainable energy projects off the ground.
First up: Zero RPM, one of two small businesses currently involved in the incubator. Launched earlier this year and formally announced in July, Zero RPM is building the IMS 100 idle mitigation system, which can power a vehicle and the air-conditioning for several hours via high-capacity batteries. The initial target audience is law enforcement and the device has already been tested in city and state police cars.
Wallace State President Vicki Hawsey said the $200,000 appropriation will help fund some research and development to help bring the company's product to market.
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[Cullman Times]
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City, county want money set aside to lure industry
By: Lance Griffin| Dothan Eagle
Published: October 13, 2012
Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz sat at a conference table in a room adjacent to City Manager Mike West's office three weeks ago.
The chair swiveled as Schmitz listened to others gathered for an industry recruitment breakout session at the Economic Summit on Jobs. West, Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker and two Dothan residents were present.
Almost unanimously, job creation has been the cry of area elected officials for several years, since the bottom dropped out of the economy and Dothan suffered losses of major employers Sony and Pemco along with others. Schmitz said small businesses create most area jobs, but recruiting large industries that not only have a lot of employees, but could attract suppliers as well must be a priority.
The absence of a big-time new industry announcement has frustrated Schmitz.
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[Dothan Eagle]
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There Will Be a Factory Skills Shortage. Just Not Yet
By Peter Coy
October 14, 2012
A shortage of skilled manufacturing labor is on the way, says a new study by Boston Consulting Group. But, says the firm, it hasn't arrived yet.
Many factory managers claim they're already suffering from a skills shortage. Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported a moderate to severe shortage of available qualified workers in a survey last year by Deloitte Consulting for the Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.
BCG senior partner Harold Sirkin, co-author of the research and a Bloomberg Businessweek contributor, says manufacturers could solve most of their problems finding good people by offering higher pay and training new hires. He says there's no reason that a skills shortage need derail the "manufacturing renaissance" BCG has been forecasting. The consulting group predicts that rising U.S. exports and "reshoring" could create 2.5 million to 5 million U.S. jobs in manufacturing and related services by decade's end.
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[Business Week]
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Enjoy the day,
Val Walton
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