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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 leads nation in increase in students passing advanced placement tests
3M planning $11M expansion
More than 4,500 Alabama students gathered in Birmingham this week for leadership conference
America's best schools: Six in Alabama, two in Birmingham-metro area named Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education
SEDA board seeks program clarification
Join us Thursday at 9 a.m. for the Alabama Launchpad Start-Up Competition Final Pitch Event
The Alabama International Trade Center presents a workshop on Thursday on How to Grow Export Sales

 

Alabama leads nation in increase in students passing advanced placement tests

on September 25, 2013 

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- State Superintendent Tommy Bice announced today that Alabama ranked No. 1 among states in percent increases in the number of public school students passing math, science and English advanced placement exams over the last five years.

 

Alabama ranked No. 2 among the 50 states in percent increases in math, science and English qualifying scores for minority students, according to a news release from the state Department of Education.

 

"I'm proud that Alabama students are enrolling and succeeding in AP classes at unprecedented rates," Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement.

 

more...

 

 

 

3M planning $11M expansion
 By Eric Fleischauer Staff Writer 

September 25, 2013 

 

A planned $11.2 million expansion at 3M Co. could lead to additional expansions, a company official said Tuesday.

 

The plant intends to hire 13 employees to operate a specialty chemical production facility within the existing plant on State Docks Road in Decatur.

 

"What's exciting to us about this is it's 'fine chemicals.' Fine chemicals are small-volume, very high-dollar products," said Robin Higgs, 3M's site operations manager. "It's not anything we make in any of our 3M chemical plants today."

 

Higgs said the chemical processes at the Decatur plant produce batches of product, usually adhesives, in the range of 3,000 to 6,000 gallons at a time. The plant will produce fine chemicals in batches of about 300 gallons at a time.

 

more...

 

[Decatur Daily]

 

 

 

More than 4,500 Alabama students gathered in Birmingham this week for leadership conference
on September 24, 2013 

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - More than 4,500 students were in Birmingham the last two days for the 2013 Joint Leadership Development Conference, aimed at preparing youngsters for career and college success.

 

High school students from across the state who are involved with Alabama's JROTC programs, Career Technical Student Organizations, and the Jobs for Alabama's Graduates programs were invited to the two-day event, held at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Complex.

 

Students were able to participate in more than 30 leadership workshops and interactive activities and visit with nearly 100 state and national industries, as well as the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Manufacture Alabama, and CARCAM.

 

more...

 

[al.com]


 

America's best schools: Six in Alabama, two in Birmingham-metro area named Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Department of Education

on September 24, 2013

 

Six Alabama schools, including two in the Birmingham-metro area, have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Ramsay High School in Birmingham and West Jefferson Elementary School in Jefferson County both were given the prestigious Blue Ribbon award, as were Holtville High School in Elmore County; Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School in Huntsville; Walnut Grove School in Madison County; and W.H. Council Traditional School in Mobile
.

The national Blue Ribbon Schools award recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements toward those standards.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

SEDA board seeks program clarification

By Bernie Delinski Staff Writer |

September 25, 2013

 

FLORENCE - The Shoals Economic Development Authority board wants a clearer understanding of an incentive program available to manufacturers that provide small employment increases.

 

Two applications for the agency's Employment Growth Program prompted a discussion during Tuesday's board meeting about what type of companies are eligible for the incentives.

 

The program provides local manufacturers with $2,500 per additional hire, for up to five hires.

 

The board postponed a decision on applications from Certified Alarm Co., of Sheffield, and Long Lewis Ford, of Florence.

 

Board members said they want a better understanding about the program, so they'll know whether it pertains only to manufacturers and what qualifies as a manufacturer.

 

more...

 

[Florence Times Daily]

 

 

 

   Innovation and Entrepreneurship

 

 

   Join us Thursday at 9 a.m. for the Alabama Launchpad Start-Up Competition Final Pitch Event 

                                        The companies advancing to the final:

 

--Alabama Chai, which plans to sell micro-brewed organic tea beverages to grocery stores, caf�s and restaurants. The business is based in Birmingham.

 

--Blox LLC, which sells a way to make better buildings faster and with lower cost using prefabricated building components in healthcare facilities. Based in Birmingham.

 

--e-Electricity, which is developing technology allowing mobile devices to recharge wirelessly, without the need to plug-in to a power outlet. Based in Tuscaloosa and affiliated with the University of Alabama.

 

--Heartlife Technology LLC, which plans to replace the most expensive components of automated external defibrillators with smartphones. Based in Auburn and affiliated with Auburn University.

 

--Respriva, which has developed a low cost and effective vaccine that will minimize the swine industry's losses due to bacterial pneumonia. Based in Auburn and affiliated with Auburn University.

 


 

 The final pitch event at the Hyatt Regency-The Wynfrey Hotel's Wyndsor Ballroom is free and open to the public

 

 

 

We are looking forward to seeing you 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 For more information,

 alabamalaunchpad.com/i3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  The Alabama International Trade Center presents a workshop on Thursday on How to Grow Export Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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Enjoy the day, 

Val Walton
   
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