By Andy Powell

 

The news at a Northeast Alabama economic exposition Friday in Centre was generally upbeat. Speakers said there is more confidence in the future and the state is poised for a recovery.

 

The third Northeast Economic Activity Zone exposition was hosted by Jacksonville State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

 

The zone includes Etowah, Cherokee, DeKalb and Marshall counties. The event attracted business, finance, government and economic development officials from the four counties.

 

The group heard updates from the counties and received regional, state and national projections.

 

Richard Cobb, head of JSU's Management and Marketing division, cited improvements to the Port of Mobile, Airbus locating in Mobile, the technology hub in Madison County and the growing automotive industry in other parts of the state. He said Alabama is poised for economic growth because of its location in the middle of the Southeast.

 

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May 19, 2014 

 

There's no doubt about it: The reshoring trend is rocking global business, with hundreds of companies working to bring their manufacturing operations back from China to North America.

 

There are many factors fueling this move, including labor costs, transportation, quality issues and patriotism, among others. Hal Sirkin, a senior partner at Boston Consulting Group, has been examining this trend for years and admits that the recent surge in reshoring has shocked even experts and researchers. Knowledge@Wharton sat down with Sirkin to discuss the different elements contributing to the reshoring trend and how it affects global business dynamics, the labor market and even the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

By Patrick Rupinski 

 

A daylong workshop aimed at helping Black Belt landowners generate more money from outdoors enthusiasts will be held in Montgomery on Thursday.

 

The nonprofit Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is sponsoring the Natural Resource Enterprises workshop in partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems and Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

 

Hunting leases, fee fishing and agri-tourism ventures such as horseback riding, birding, wildlife watching and nature trails are among the topics that will be covered. The workshop also will offer information for owners of hunting and fishing lodges on how to tap into agri-

tourism to generate extra income during "off-seasons" and down times when their property might not be producing income.

 

Speakers will include legal experts, wildlife habitat specialists, outdoor recreation business owners, accountants and marketing experts. They will discuss and answer questions about diversifying recreational businesses, product services, and liability and safety concerns. There also will be discussions on building relationships and communicating with clients, including deciphering client satisfaction.

 

By Kelli Dugan | kdugan@al.com  

 

In case you missed some of the business stories people were reading at AL.com this week, here is a recap:

 

Monday's reporting ranged from a Mobile landmark being bulldozed to the possibility of a downtown Publix for Birmingham and everything in between.

 

Tuesday's report covered everything from craft beer and bond swaps to Airbus and Remington jobs.

 

Wednesday's reporting focused on copper tubing, Tennessee Valley talent and a possible Port payout among other things.

 

Thursday's stories looked at beach bookings and helicopter highlights among other topics.

 

Friday's reporting ranged from high hopes at Craig Field to a Sterne Agee shakeup and all points in between. 

 

For links: http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/05/business_rewind_alcom_business.html#incart_river...

NEW YORK Tue May 27, 2014 

 

(Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence rose in May as consumers saw the economy, including the labor market, in a better light, according to a private sector report released on Tuesday.

 

The Conference Board, an industry group, said its index of consumer attitudes rose to 83 in May from a downwardly revised 81.7 in April. Economists had expected a reading of 83.0, according to a Reuters poll.

 

The index for April was originally reported as 82.3.

 

The expectations index rose to 84.8 in May from a downwardly revised 83.9 in April, while the present situation index increased to 80.4 versus an upwardly revised 78.5 last month.

 

Consumers saying jobs are "hard to get" slipped to 32.3 percent from 32.8 percent, revised from 32.5 percent in April.

 

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