EDPA NewsFlash

 

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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:
Alabama profile in Delta's 'Sky' magazine spotlights thriving industries
Jo Bonner resigns to accept UA job Mobile Republican will become vice chancellor Aug. 16
Alabama auto production rises 8 percent so far this year
ST Aerospace Mobile tells advisory council aging technicians growing concern for industry
Alabama Community College System building support network for entrepreneurs
Auburn named one of 15 fastest-growing large cities in US
Watts touts UAB innovations during talk to Venture Club
News Release-- ALABAMA ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY PARK HOSTS OPEN HOUSE

 


Alabama profile in Delta's 'Sky' magazine spotlights thriving industries
May 23, 2013

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama's growing aerospace and automotive industries, along with its thriving health care and financial sectors, will be the focus of a 44-page special section in Delta's Sky magazine in June.

 

 The content will reach more than 5 million readers worldwide on board Delta Air Lines' 13,000 daily flights.

 

Sky's "Profile" section highlights a state or city each month, and this is the first time the magazine has featured Alabama. The size of each Profile section is determined by the level of support Sky receives from the featured community.  With 22 pages of ads from  statewide businesses and organizations, accompanied by 22 pages of editorial, this will be one of the largest special sections Delta Sky has produced to date.

 

According to Governor Robert Bentley, the timing is ideal as aerospace leaders from around the world will be flying into Paris in June for the 50th annual International Paris Air Show. The Paris Air Show is the world's leading aviation and space industry event with more than 2,100 exhibiting companies. The event drives aerospace development around the globe.

 

"This special section gives us the opportunity to tell our story to leaders in the aviation industry as well as to a broad range of travelers on Delta flights," Governor Bentley said. "We have an incredible high-tech economy here in Alabama with companies ranging from aerospace to biosciences. We're excited to spread the word to Sky's international audience."



more...

[madeinalabama.com]



 


Jo Bonner resigns to accept UA job Mobile Republican will become vice chancellor Aug. 16
By Ken Roberts
City Editor
May 24, 2013 

U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, on Thursday said he will resign from Congress to accept a post with the University of Alabama System.

 

Robert Witt, chancellor of the three-campus UA System, said Bonner will begin his new duties as vice chancellor for government relations and economic development on Aug. 16, the day after his resignation from Congress takes effect.

 

"Jo's extensive government experience and outstanding economic development record make him ideally suited for this important new position," Witt said in a statement released Thursday by the UA system.

The vice chancellor job is a newly created position in the UA system.

 

more....


 



Alabama auto production rises 8 percent so far this year
By Dawn Kent | [email protected] 
on May 23, 2013 

Auto production in Alabama rose 8 percent during the first four months of this year, as the industry continues to benefit from growing new vehicle demand in the U.S. and abroad.

Through the end of April, Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Hyundai had produced 326,109 vehicles at their Alabama plants in 2013, compared to 302,177 during the same time period in 2012, according to production estimates from the Automotive News Data Center.

Hyundai's Montgomery plant had the biggest improvement, thanks to the Elantra compact. Output of that vehicle rose 63.5 percent, pushing the plant's overall output growth up 19 percent.

 

In April, the plant set a monthly production record, with 37,372 vehicles built there.

 

more...

 

[al.com]


 


 

ST Aerospace Mobile tells advisory council aging technicians growing concern for industry
By Kelli Dugan | [email protected] 
on May 23, 2013

MOBILE, Alabama - Continued collaboration with the Alabama Industrial Development Training program and aggressive development of diversified career paths for current and potential employees will be key to ST Aerospace Mobile's longevity as it grapples with an aging workforce.

 

"We're getting older guys," Bill Hafner, vice president of operations for STA Mobile, joked Thursday with members of the Aviation and Aerospace Advisory Council.

 

The council, which held only its second quarterly meeting on the grounds of STA Mobile's sprawling facility at Brookley Aeroplex, was established recently to more efficiently identify and address skills gaps while working proactively to meet evolving workforce development needs associated with the expanding sector.

 

The council is a joint project of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council and Enterprise State Community College.


more...

[al.com]

 

 

 

 


 


 

Alabama Community College System building support network for entrepreneurs
May 23, 2013

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - The Alabama Community College System, a key workforce development component in the state, is stepping up efforts to prepare the next generation of Alabama business owners with initiatives to help budding entrepreneurs increase their chances of success.

 

"The Alabama Community College System holds the key to the state's workforce development needs, and training entrepreneurs is an important way to help meet those needs," Chancellor Mark Heinrich said. "These are people who will be creating jobs and opportunities across the state in the future."

 

This past semester, ACCS member Gadsden State Community College launched an entrepreneurship program, offering instruction on financial and marketing issues that confront every new business owner. ACCS is now making plans to expand classes in entrepreneurship, beginning with a pilot program on eight to 10 campuses. The system hopes to eventually extend the program to all of its two-year colleges and regional training sites.

 

Courses will teach would-be business owners how to develop business plans, obtain Small Business Administration loans and get the licenses they need.

 

more...

 

[madeinalabama.com]

 


 

 

 

 


 


 

 

Auburn named one of 15 fastest-growing large cities in US
Drew Taylor | Opelika-Auburn News

May 23, 2013

 

If there is one thing that the city of Auburn has over other places in the state, it's a rising population.

 

According to recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Auburn is 14th on a list of the 15 fastest-growing large cities in the United States with at least 50,000 residents.

 

In a report released Thursday, Auburn grew 3.71 percent between July 2011 and July 2012, with an estimated 56,908 residents when census results were released last summer.

 

Mayor Bill Ham said there are many factors that make Auburn an attractive place to live, listing the quality of life, proximity to Auburn University, public school system and opportunities for business.

 

"People don't want to move to a place that is not a positive place to be," Ham said. "People want to be part of a good thing, and we're very proud that we have those things to offer."

 

more...

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

Watts touts UAB innovations during talk to Venture Club

Yann Ranaivo Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal

May 23, 2013

 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham'shigh marks in federal research dollars received and innovative work in cybersecurity and archeology were some of the areas the school's president, Ray Watts, highlighted during a speech to officials involved in venture capital activities.

 

Watts was the featured speaker today during the Birmingham Venture Club's May luncheon at the Harbert Center downtown. He generally spoke about the innovative role UAB is playing on local, state and national levels and touted several university activities that he said will drive economic development.

 

"I believe Birmingham is ready for a true renaissance in moving forward," he said. "I'm telling you, we're going to achieve more than we can dream."

 

"We continue to do well, but we're going to grow."


more...

 

[Birmingham Business Journal]

 

 

 


 


 

News Release-- ALABAMA ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY PARK HOSTS OPEN HOUSE:
New Mobile Training Lab Being Unveiled

 

TANNER, AL- Make plans to join Governor Robert Bentley and other state and local officials
at the Alabama Robotic Technology Park (RTP) Open House scheduled for June 13th at 9 am.

This event will showcase the facility; its class offerings and the latest technology offered by
robotics and automation vendors from around the world. The RTP will also unveil the latest
weapon in their arsenal, the RTP Mobile Training Lab.

The RTP Mobile Training Lab contains both Robots and PLCs that are used in training,
educational and industrial settings. This mobile lab will be utilized to educate students from
k-12 through college and create awareness about careers in the robotics and automation
industry.

In addition to the unveiling of the mobile training unit there will also be live demos and
seminars, research and development activities will be featured, and facility tours will be held
throughout the day. 

"This event is yet another step towards putting Gov. Bentley's Accelerate Alabama plan in motion. The RTP is an integral part of the retention, renewal and recruitment of resources for existing industries and new industries looking for a home," stated Ed Castile, AIDT Director.

Media Contact : Jacqueline Allen, Communications Mgr.
Phone : 334-280-4440

E-mail : [email protected] 

 





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