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Greetings!

 

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

 

In this issue:
Weekly US unemployment applications fall to 5-year low of 330,000, hopeful sign for job market
Wilcox County's Golden Dragon plant taking shape, expected to bring hundreds of jobs
New Honda supplier marks grand opening today, will employ up to 200 people
Alabama industry to watch: will Mobile construction jobs keep growing?
.BBA, U.S. Chamber...Host education reform forum

 


 

 

Weekly US unemployment applications fall to 5-year low of 330,000, hopeful sign for job market  

By Associated Press,  Thursday, January 24

 

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to the lowest level in five years, evidence that employers are cutting fewer jobs and may step up hiring.

 

The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment benefit applications dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 330,000. That's the fewest since January 2008.

 

The four-week average, a less volatile measure, fell to 351,750. That's also the lowest in nearly five years.

The decline may reflect the government's difficulty adjusting its numbers to account for layoffs after the holiday shopping season. Layoffs spike in the second week of January and then plummet. The department seeks to adjust for those seasonal trends, but the figures can still be volatile.

 

If the trend holds up, fewer applications would suggest the job market is improving.

 

more...

[Washington Post]

 

 


 

 

Wilcox County's Golden Dragon plant taking shape, expected to bring hundreds of jobs
By Dawn Kent | [email protected] 
on January 23, 2013 at 4:37 PM

 

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Construction work is moving forward on a Chinese copper tubing manufacturer's new plant in southwest Alabama, a project that is expected to bring at least 300 jobs to a rural area where they have been sorely needed for years.

 

Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, cited the Golden Dragon project in a speech today at the Economic Development Association of Alabama's Winter Conference, which was held this week in Montgomery.

 

Canfield listed Golden Dragon among the state's recent economic development wins, but he also called it a boost for rural economic development efforts. The plant's employment could eventually grow to as many as 500 workers.

 

"All eyes are now on Wilcox County," Canfield said, adding that steel is going up for the facility and the state's workforce training agency, AIDT, is in place to begin advance work for job recruiting.


more...

 

 


 

 

New Honda supplier marks grand opening today, will employ up to 200 people
By Dawn Kent | [email protected] 
on January 24, 2013


TALLADEGA, Alabama -- A new supplier for Honda's Alabama factory will mark its grand opening today.
 

M-Tek Inc., which produces inside door panels for the Japanese automaker's Talladega County plant,expects to employ about 200 people at full capacity.

 

Gov. Robert Bentley and other state and local officials are scheduled to attend today's ceremony.

 

M-Tek is located in the Coosa Valley Industrial Park north of Talladega.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

  

 


 

 

Alabama industry to watch: will Mobile construction jobs keep growing?
By Alex Walsh | [email protected] 
on January 23, 2013 at 2:05 PM

Between the start of 2011 and the end of 2012, Alabama lost 5,600 construction jobs.
But those losses would have been even more pronounced without the recent growth seen in Mobile.

Construction employment in the Mobile metro area ended 2012 at its highest point in two years, with 12,400 jobs, according to the latest estimate from the Alabama Department of Labor (not seasonally adjusted). That's only slightly higher than where Mobile construction employment was at the start of 2011, but up dramatically over the last six months of last year.

As of last May, Mobile's construction industry had shrunk just like most other cities', down 10 percent from the start of 2011 to 10,300 jobs. 

But over the last seven months, Mobile construction jobs have grown 20 percent, adding 1,200 positions.


more...

 

  

 


 

 


January 24, 2012
BBA, U.S. Chamber
Host education reform forum

WHO: Birmingham Business Alliance, U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for a Competitive Workforce, National Chamber Foundation and a host of representatives from the education and business communities

WHAT: "Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity"

WHEN: Screening of "Won't Back Down" and reception: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24; Seminar and panel: 8:30 a.m., Friday, January 25

WHERE: McWane Science Center, downtown Birmingham

BACKGROUND: The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) will host the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Competitive Workforce and the National Chamber Foundation for a screening of the film "Won't Back Down" on January 24, and a half-day education forum on January 25 to discuss transforming local education systems and form a plan of action to be compiled by educators and local business leaders. A detailed agenda and a news release can be found , on the BBA's website, birminghambusinessalliance.com.
 
 

  




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Val Walton
   
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