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:
Steris relocating global specialty services HQ to U.S. Pipe Building
Koch expansion to add 80 jobs
Alabama small business panel holds first meeting
REALIZING ROBOTICS
Motorsports museum's economic impact far reaching
Alabama Power energizes support for World Games bid
Emerging Alabama bioscience sector on display in Belgium

 


Steris relocating global specialty services HQ to U.S. Pipe Building
Alan Alexander Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal
October 22, 2014

As part of its $175 million purchase of Integrated Medical Systems earlier this year, Cleveland-based Steris Corp. will be relocating its global specialty services headquarters to Birmingham.

 

The former U.S. Pipe building, which Steris bought before acquiring IMS, will house the headquarters and KPS Group will lead up the renovations for the facilities, which will cost about $8 million and be finished in the early months of 2016.

 

Steris Corp. CEO Walt Rosebrough said IMS is one of five other acquisitions that his company has recently made and he said his company chose Birmingham as the headquarters for the specialty services branch over other locations due to its attractive employment climate.



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Koch expansion to add 80 jobs
Times Staff Writer
October 21, 2014 

The Gadsden City Council on Tuesday approved non-education tax abatements for a $6 million expansion of Koch Foods that will add 80 jobs early next year.

 

Koch Complex Controller Terry Stephens told the council the company hopes to complete the expansion by January.

 

He said the plant, which was purchased from Tyson in 2007, processes about 2 million chickens every five days. With the expansion, he said, about one-fourth of the plant's production will be used for "valued added" products.

 

"It allows us to get into a much more diverse product line," Stephens said.



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Alabama small business panel holds first meeting

By The Associated Press
 
 

 

 

 

  


 

REALIZING ROBOTICS

By Brittany DeLong

October 22, 2014

 

The robotics industry in Alabama is expanding and students at Andalusia High School were introduced to possible careers in that industry through the Mobile Robotic Training Lab.

 

"A lot of these kids have never seen robotics, and when they think of robotics they think of R2D2 and Star Wars," robotic welding instructor Tim Springer said. "This is a whole different scenario; these are all industrial robotics used in industrial application. This just opens up a whole new arena for them."

 

The Robotics Technology Park (RTP) mobile unit came to AHS Tuesday, and presented students with insight into how Alabama industry runs on robotic technology.

 

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Motorsports museum's economic impact far reaching
Bryan Davis Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal
October 21, 2014 

Over 65,000 visitors poured into the BarberMotorsports Park October 10-12 to enjoy the 10 th Annual Barber Vintage Festival, just one of the many events that brings tourists to the eastern Birmingham park each year.

 

Thousands of those in attendance hailed from a city other than Birmingham and a state other than Alabama.

 

Barber Companies Vice President of Corporate Development Don Erwinestimates around 80 percent of those were from out of town, meaning thousands of dollars of new money to the area were generated through just one event at the park.

 

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[Birmingham Business Journal]

 

 

 

  


Alabama Power energizes support for World Games bid

Michael Tomberlin

October 21, 2014

 

Alabama Power Company helped Birmingham's corporate community show a united front in support of the city's efforts to host the 2021 World Games.

 

Birmingham is competing with two other cities to land the 11 days of competitions of non-Olympic sports with athletes from around the world. Members of the selection committee visited Birmingham this past week to learn more about the city's bid and the facilities that would be used if the games are held here.

 

Included in their visit was a breakfast with corporate leaders which Alabama Power hosted at its downtown Birmingham headquarters.

  

"Welcome to Birmingham and welcome to Alabama Power Company," Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite said at the meeting. "We hope you find all you are looking for here, including the support the business community has for this venture."

 

 

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Emerging Alabama bioscience sector on display in Belgium


BRUSSELS, Belgium - The emerging Alabama bioscience sector is getting a close-up look in Belgium as part of a trade mission that aims to create opportunities for business connections, research partnerships, and new investment.

 

Over the past two days, Alabama bioscience company leaders have displayed their products during presentations and joined with state economic development officials to network with Belgian counterparts and to learn how the life science industry has taken shape in Belgium.

 

Tuesday, the Alabama delegation received an in-depth look at bioscience activities in Belgium, highlighted by a visit to VIB, a non-profit research institute in Flanders that serves as the foundation of an innovation and commercialization ecosystem. The group also toured the VIB incubator, where spin-off company Ablynx is focusing on a new class of antibody-derived therapeutic proteins as possible treatments for life-threatening diseases.

 

 

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[madeinalabama.com]

 




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