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:
Pell City's Cogswell Industrial Expansion receives AdvantageSite designation
Airbus' Mobile power plant shoots for green certification
Comments sought on proposed rail spur for Asahi Kasei
Will this fly? Aspiring entrepreneurs from across South due in Huntsville next week for 'Shark Tank-style" pitch competition
Hard Rock Mining Easing UpThe recession's been a hard road for Vulcan Materials, says CEO Tom Hill
Application Deadline for latest cycle of Alabama Launchpad Startup Competition is Sunday, Nov. 16

 

Pell City's Cogswell Industrial Expansion receives AdvantageSite designation
on November 14, 2014 

PELL CITY, Alabama -- Pell City's Cogswell Industrial Park Expansion has now been designated an AdvantageSite.

 

The AdvantageSite program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Commerce, Alagasco, Alabama Power Co., the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.

 

There are 53 AdvantageSites statewide. The public/private partnership is aimed at spotlighting areas for economic development by providing a database of available sites. This streamlines the "due diligence" portion of site evaluation.

 

To qualify, community economic development organizations must provide information on ownership, environment, infrastructure, zoning, accessibility and other factors.



more...

 

Airbus' Mobile power plant shoots for green certification
on November 13, 2014 

MOBILE, Alabama -- It all begins with the power plant.

 

Manufacturing wouldn't be possible without it, so the start of Airbus' $37 million powerhouse was reason enough Thursday for a celebration. The facility will pump hot and cold air, water and electricity into the entire Airbus campus.

 

The plant's lead designer and builder Honeywell Building Solutions marked the occasion  with a ribbon cutting outside the facility on the grounds of the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley.

 

The facility is among the smaller structures on the site that will support the main hangar, but it's also the most vital. Inside one of the two bays sits four 250 horsepower boilers.

 

more...

 

Comments sought on proposed rail spur for Asahi Kasei
By Jean Cole
Nov 14, 2014

A proposal to build a railroad spur north of Athens that would benefit the Asahi Kasei plastics plant and other future industries would mean discharging fill material into steams and wetlands of Swan Creek.

 

As a result, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Nashville is seeking written comments from the public on the proposal by Friday, Dec. 12. Comments will become part of the record and will be considered in determining whether to grant a permit for the rail spur along the proposed route.

 

Tom Hill, executive director of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said in his permit request to the Corps the proposed work consists of constructing a 2,500-foot spur to the Elm Industrial Park that would be located next to the newly improved Airport Road. The spur would connect to the CSX Railroad line already in the area. Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, and any future industries, would have to build links from their property to the spur.



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Will this fly? Aspiring entrepreneurs from across South due in Huntsville next week for 'Shark Tank'-style pitch competition

on November 13, 2014

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - More than 20 aspiring entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to potential investors during a unique event next week in Huntsville.

 

"Will This Fly?" is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4:30-9 p.m. in the Design Lab at Lincoln Mill, 1300 Meridian St.

 

The brainchild of Rocket Hatch, a supporter of start-up businesses, Will This Fly? aims to give entrepreneurs from across the South a chance to pitch their business ideas in three minutes or less - a format similar to "Shark Tank," the popular reality show on ABC.

Representatives from GIGTANK in Chattanooga, Start Co. in Memphis and Jumpstart Foundry in Nashville will serve as the judges.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

  

Hard Rock Mining Easing UpThe recession's been a hard road for Vulcan Materials, says

CEO Tom Hill, but things are looking up.
INTERVIEW BY CHRIS MCFADYEN
November 2014

CEO Tom Hill says Vulcan Materials has "the best position in the fastest growing markets across the country" as deteriorating highways pressure demand.

 

Tom Hill, in July, was named president and CEO of Vulcan Materials Inc., the second largest nonbank public company in Alabama, with revenues of $2.628 billion in 2013.

Vulcan is in the rock business - the country's largest supplier of aggregate for road building. Since the 2008 recession, it's not been a great business to be in.

 

For Vulcan, the recession's timing was especially troublesome, coming one year after a $4.6 billion acquisition of major competitor Florida Rock Industries Inc., tipping a big load of debt onto the balance sheets at the wrong time. That helped make the company vulnerable to a hostile takeover bid by the U.S.'s number two aggregate producer, Martin Marietta Materials, in 2012 - a takeover Vulcan successfully fought off.

 

Vulcan's financial performance is coming out of a long drought. After four straight quarters of losses, Vulcan returned to profits in the third quarter of 2012. Aggregate production has risen, year-to-year, for five straight quarters. 

 

more...

 

[Business Alabama]


 

  

Application deadline for latest cycle of Alabama Launchpad Start-Up Competition is Sunday, Nov. 16

 

 

 

Early-stage startups seeking feedback, investment and exposure are invited to apply for the next round of competition. 


 

If selected, aspiring startups will present their early stage business concepts before a five-judge panel as well as a live audience.

 

 

The entrepreneurs that are selected as winners in the competition could win a share of up to $250,000. Enter your startup or help spread the word!  

 

 

Learn more here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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