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:
Meet the seven Bham startups competing in the 2015 Alabama Launchpad competition
Mobile among 12 U.S. cities, 14 globally tapped for Bloomberg 'innovation team' grants
FreightCar America Hosting Job Fair to Fill 150-200 Positions at Barton
Huntsville students using 'cutting edge' technology for advanced manufacturing, Greenpower USA programs

 


 

Meet the seven Bham startups competing in the 2015 Alabama Launchpad competition
Alan Alexander Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal
December 15, 2014

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation has selected 11 teams to compete in the 2015 Alabama Launchpad Startups Competition, including seven from Birmingham.

 

The teams will be competing for a share of $250,000 in funding and will be pitching their businesses to a panel of five judges at 9 a.m. on Jan. 23 at Evonik Industries. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Here are the seven Birmingham startups set to compete in the latest round of the Launchpad, which has been expanded several times in recent years:

 

more...

 

[Birmingham Business Journal]

 

 


 

Mobile among 12 U.S. cities, 14 globally tapped for Bloomberg 'innovation team' grants

on December 15, 2014 
 

MOBILE, Alabama - Mobile is among 14 cities across the globe tapped to receive between $400,000 and $1 million per year for three years in grant funding to create "innovation teams" designed to combat a host of social and economic community issues.

 

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson referred to the pending mystery grant during the Dec. 12 city council and executive staff retreat as "transformational."

 

Stimpson spokesman George Talbot did confirm Mobile's cut of the funds should total about $1.65 million over the course of three years.

 

more....

 

[al.com]

 

 

 


FreightCar America Hosting Job Fair to Fill 150-200 Positions at Barton Facility 

COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. - FreightCar America announced Monday it will host a job fair to fill between 150 and 200 production team positions at the mile-long railcar plant in Barton, Alabama. The job fair will be held at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center on Tuesday, January 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

FreightCar America is increasing employment in the Shoals area as it expands its orders for railcar manufacturing. "We plan to do most of our hiring at the job fair," stated Amy Melton, Human Resources Director at FreightCar America. "A good candidate would have previous manufacturing and welding experience, but it is not a requirement. We have a welding school on-site to train incoming employees," explained Melton.

 

Candidates must be able to work in an assembly line environment as part of a team and be willing to work any shift. Attendees at the job fair are welcomed to bring their resumes. Potential candidates should complete an AIDT application online prior to the job fair.

 

more....

 

 

[WHNT]

 


Huntsville students using 'cutting edge' technology for advanced manufacturing, Greenpower USA programs
on December 15, 2014 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The engine parts on display Monday night at the Huntsville school board meeting didn't look like anything special, at least not at first glance. 

 

A closer look, which showed that each piece came from a 3D printer, gave the board and the public a glimpse at what students are learning in the district's advanced manufacturing academy and through Greenpower USA. 

 

This is not the manufacturing of the 1950s, said Mike Evans, the district's coordinator of advanced manufacturing, engineering and design and executive director of the Greenpower USA Foundation. 

 

"We are now using innovative, cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology," Evans said. 



more...




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