EDPA NewsFlash

 

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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:
KMIN USA will locate in existing building in Valley
UAB to host Sustainable Smart Cities Symposium
Alabama seeks to strengthen trade ties in South America
State training Grant will be used to train employees
Transportation Equipment Sector Helps Alabama Manufacturing Gain Momentum
Boost your chances of getting SBIR/STTR Funding for new technology or an innovative idea

 

 

 

KMIN USA will locate in existing building in Valley 

By CY WOOD

June 10, 2014

 

LaFAYETTE - Chambers County's newest industry is anxious to get into production.

 

At a special called meeting of the Chambers County Commission Monday morning, the commissioners approved tax abatements for KMIN USA Inc. The company announced its plans to expand its operations into the U.S. and will be located in a building on Towel Avenue in Valley.

 

The company will make a $17.3 million investment in its operations, and expects employment to be 80 in its first year of operation while growing to 200 in three years.

 

KMIN USA will make parts for car seats that will be assembled at the Hyundai Dymos plant now under construction in West Point on Kia Parkway.The special called meeting was held so KMIN can get moving because it needs to be in production by September of this year.


 

more...

 

[The Valley-Times News] 

 

 

UAB to host Sustainable Smart Cities Symposium
Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal 
June 9, 2014

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is at the very heart of the changing landscape in Birmingham's city center.

 

The research institution is not only the metro's largest employer, but it also has a large stake in the city's growth as it continues an aggressive growth and acquisitions strategy.

 

UAB will be hosting the third annual Sustainable Smart Cities Symposium on Thursday, which will focus on a variety of topics from economic development to health and livability of cities.



more...

  

 

 Alabama seeks to strengthen trade ties in South America

on June 09, 2014 

Alabama businesses are looking to expand the market for their goods and services in South America.

 

The state's Department of Commerce last week led a team of representatives from companies across the state to Peru and Uruguay, where they met with trade officials in both countries.

 

Their activities included an economy briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Lima, talks on ways to boost two-way trade, a meeting on collaboration between ports in Mobile and Montevideo and a visit to the home of the U.S. ambassador to Uruguay.


more...

 

 

 

 

 

State training Grant will be used to train employees 

 June 7, 2014 


A state training grant will be used to teach 53 employees at SSAB Wear Solutions in Northport.

 

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Development Affairs said a $60,000 grant would be used for skills training at the Northport facility and to train 581 people at SSAB Alabama Inc. in Axis in Mobile County.

 

Employees at the two manufacturing facilities will be taught practices in maintenance and production, which should help improve the company's productivity, ADECA said in statement.



more...

[Tuscaloosa News]

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Transportation Equipment Sector Helps Alabama Manufacturing Gain Momentum

June 9, 2014

 

EVANSTON, Ill.

Manufacturers' News, Inc.-- Manufacturing employment in Alabama increased over the past year, reports the 2014 Alabama Manufacturers Register®, an industrial database and directory published by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI). According to data collected by MNI, Alabama manufacturers added 1,158 jobs from March 2013 to March 2014.

 

Manufacturers' News reports Alabama is now home to 5,292 manufacturers employing 297,055 workers.

According to the database of Alabama manufacturers, gains were led by transportation equipment, which increased by 5%. Transportation equipment ranks first in Alabama for industrial employment with 41,510 jobs.

 

"Following several years of losses, manufacturers in Alabama are beginning to climb back from the recession," says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "The state's low business costs continue to lure manufacturers, particularly those in the transportation equipment sector, and its Southwest region being designated as one of twelve U.S. manufacturing 'communities' should help further development."

 

 

more...

 

[mromagazine.com]

 

 

 


 

 

 

Boost your chances of getting SBIR/STTR Funding for new technology or an innovative idea

 

Are you seeking funding through a Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer award?

 

Did you apply for an award but did not get money?

 

If so, you may be eligible to receive grant writing assistance through Alabama Launchpad's SBIR/STTR Program.

 

Approximately 75 % of SBIR applications are rejected. Alabama Launchpad wants to help small businesses in the state with less than 500 people get research and development funding for new technology or innovative ideas.

SBIR and STTR programs, which offer more than $2.7 billion dollars annually to support the development of technology, are excellent sources of early stage capital because there is no equity participation.

 

Through the Alabama Launchpad SBIR/STTR Program, eligible businesses can access our writing assistance program.

 

What is provided through writing assistance? 

  • Access to a SBIR/STTR consultant to review your proposal for "success potential" with feedback.
  • One-on-one consultation on how to prepare a competitive proposal.
  • Recommendations on avoiding common mistakes when drafting your proposal.
  • Strategic planning for your proposal with an SBIR/STTR reviewer who has decades of experience in reviewing proposals and helping companies apply.

The writing assistance will be led by Jim Greenwood, President of the Florida-based Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc. 

Greenwood has extensive experience with providing one-on-one proposal writing assistance. Greenwood has reviewed over 600 Phase 1 and 2 SBIR and STTR proposals for virtually all agencies participating in these programs and has written over 150 proposal writing articles from 1999 to 2013 and serves as a commercialization reviewer for the National Science Foundation's SBIR/STTR programs.

 

To learn more about our SBIR/STTRprogram and to apply for writing assistance,visit us at:  http://alabamalaunchpad.com/sbir/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Enjoy the day, 

Val Walton
   
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