EDPA NewsFlash

 

home       about edpa        relocation     resources for     resources for     entrepreneurship &
                                          assistance     companies        communities            technology    

 

 

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:
Gov. Robert Bentley reflects on year, says 'job creation always number one'
Economic incentives likely focus of upcoming session
530 jobs announced in 2013
Aviation careers can begin here
4 cool things about Alabama's auto industry in 2013 (videos)
$350K grant 'a big help' with auto expansion
Where will the new state auto jobs, investments be in 2014? (Driving Alabama)
13 ways the Mobile area economy moved forward in 2013 (photos)
Passing of NAIDA's Former Executive Director Johnnie Washburn

 


Gov. Robert Bentley reflects on year, says 'job creation always number one'

on January 02, 2014

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - For Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, 2013 was the year his administration's numbers headed in the right direction and set up a strong re-election campaign for 2014.

 

The Republican governor was elected in 2010 on a jobs platform, and he says there hasn't been a day since when he hasn't worked on that goal.

 

"Job creation is always number one," he told The Associated Press in an interview.

 

Alabama's unemployment rate has dropped from 9.1 percent when Bentley took office in January 2011 to 6.2 percent in November. The number of unemployed has declined from 199,536 to 132,381. Part of the decline is due to more people working and part is due to Alabama's civilian labor force shrinking.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

 


 

 

Economic incentives likely focus of upcoming session
By Nick Lough 
Jan. 1, 2014
 

Alabama needs to update its economic incentives to compete with neighboring states for jobs: that's what Alabama State Senator Arthur Orr said will be the theme of the upcoming legislative session.

 

Senator Orr said our current economic incentive laws are outdated, and we are not able to compete with other states for business opportunities. He said that needs to change, and he expects a lot of legislation geared towards just that.

 

The senator said that currently, Alabama issues bonds to pay for parts of large scale incentive packages, and that just isn't economically sustainable. That's why he's calling for a new approach as Alabama battles others for all kinds of economic opportunities.

 

"Our sister states are ahead of us when it comes to their economic development packages that they're able to offer," Senator Orr said. "And so Alabama really needs to step it up."


more...

 

[waff.com]

 

 

 


 

 530 jobs announced in 2013

By Kellie Singleton

January 1, 2014

 

Looking back on the past year, Franklin County Development Authority executive director Mitch Mays said it's one for the history books.

In the past 12 months, there have been a total of 530 new jobs announced for Franklin County - something that Mays said is unprecedented for this area.

 

"I've talked to people who have been involved in economic development in this area for many years, and I think the last time we had job growth anywhere close to this is when Pilgrims Pride came in 30 years ago," Mays said.

"This has been a really good year for Franklin County and we're excited about what this means for future economic development in our area."

 

Mays said he attributed the county's economic development successes in 2013 to teamwork and a spirit of cooperation between local and state officials as well as business owners and officials.

 

more...

 

[Franklin County Times]

 

 

 

 


 Aviation careers can begin here

By Michele Gerlach

January 2, 2014


If you know someone who is interested in aviation, loves to work with his hands, and is naturally curious, David Craft has a career for that person.

 

Craft, who is the instructor and coordinator of the Alabama Aviation Center's Andalusia campus, located at the South Alabama Regional Airport, said many people don't understand that they can take eight of the nine courses required for an airframe certificate right here.

 

The local campus was developed primarily as a dual enrollment center, meaning high school students can take classes there and simultaneously earn high school and college credits. But the campus also is open to adult students.

 

"There're 1,800 jobs out there today," Craft said. "That's across the United States. Probably half of those are airframe, so that's about 949 very strong jobs people with this certificate could qualify for."


more...

 

[Andalusia Star News]


 


4 cool things about Alabama's auto industry in 2013 (videos)

on December 31, 2013

The giant factories that house Alabama's auto assembly lines are pretty cool places.

 

From the high-tech processes that put vehicles on the road to the new gadgets that set the models apart, there's a lot going on inside those walls.
  

And sometimes, they attract outside star power, too.

 

more...

[al.com]

 

 


$350K grant 'a big help' with auto expansion

By David Goodwin

December 27, 2013

 

The City of Dadeville was awarded a $350,000 grant by Gov. Robert Bentley to assist the expansion of auto parts maker KwangSung at the William T. Thweatt Industrial Park.

The Community Development Block Grant will help the city make improvements to the sewer system to assist the company's planned $9 million expansion. The expansion will include construction of a new 100,000-square-foot facility.

 

"We're just proud the governor is letting us have (the grant funding)," Dadeville Mayor Joe L. Smith said. "It will be a big help to the City of Dadeville and Tallapoosa County. We're ready to get started on it just as soon as the funds are released."

 

KwangSung Corp., which has operated in Dadeville since 2006, uses a blow molding process to produce components that include door panels and sun visors for Kia and Hyundai vehicles made in the region.

 

more...

 

[Alex. City Outlook]

 

 


Where will the new state auto jobs, investments be in 2014? (Driving Alabama)

on December 30, 2013 

The new year will bring new jobs and investment to Alabama's auto industry.

 

The chief development is expected to be the addition of the C-Class to the assembly lines at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Tuscaloosa County.
  

With a production launch set for mid-year, the project is adding about 1,000 jobs at the plant and accounting for part of a $2 billion investment the German automaker has made in the site over the past two years.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

 

 


 


13 ways the Mobile area economy moved forward in 2013 (photos)
on December 31, 2013

MOBILE, Alabama - With a $600 million aircraft assembly line under construction and military-grade combat ships being delivered about every six months, the Mobile area economy flourished in 2013 thanks, in large part, to nurtured relationships and long-term partnerships.

 

In a year of true recovery, Mobile and Baldwin counties found themselves far enough removed from the hardship of both natural and man-made disasters to take a collective breath and refocus energy and resources on growth and development, while keeping an eye on the infrastructure so desperately needed to ensure continued progress.

 

There's still a long - long - way to go, but let's take a look at the top 13 business stories of 2013 that prove the region's momentum is gaining steam.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

 


Passing of NAIDA's Former Executive Director Johnnie Washburn

 

The North Alabama Industrial Development Association is saddened to report the passing of Mr. Johnnie Washburn, former Executive Director of NAIDA. 

 

 Mr. Washburn joined the organization in 1965 as an associate director, became Executive Director in 1972 and he retired from NAIDA in 1994. 

 

 He was a charter member of the Industrial Developers Association of Alabama, now EDAA. 

 

 Mr. Washburn was a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.  He is survived by one son, Mike, and daughter-in-law Marian and their daughter Allie.  He was preceded in death by his wife of many years, Mildred. 

 

 The visitation will be at 1:00 PM Friday, January 4th at Westminster Presbyterian Church, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Please remember the Washburn family in your thoughts and prayers. 

 

 

 




Please feel free to forward along to someone who can use it by clicking on the "I'd like to forward this to a contact" link below the green bar. Note also, that you can now make changes to your e-mail address and contact information through the link at the bottom.    
 
If you have news or suggestions, please forward them along to me.
 
Enjoy the day, 

Val Walton
   
Join Our Mailing List