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:

 


 

Weumpka business announces expansion, job additions
By Kevin Taylor
February 26, 2015

A Wetumpka metal milling and lathe company announced it plans a near $1 millioin expansion along with the creation of additonal jobs.

Scott Wheat, owner and CEO of Met-Tech Machining, Inc. announced Saturday that his operation will expand in terms of size and number of employees.

Wheat said the cost of the expansion within the Jeanette Barrett Industrial Park will be a $700,000 capital investment.
 

more....

 


 

6 Alabama companies win Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

on February 27, 2015

Six Alabama companies, even a craft brewer, were recently named winners of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's annual Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards.

 

The annual program honors 100 American small businesses "for their success, innovation and contributions to economic growth and free enterprise." Applicants were evaluated in four areas: strategic planning, employee development, community involvement and customer service.

 

"While our economy still struggles to reach its full potential, small businesses like our Blue Ribbon Award winners have continued to act as examples of the resilience, ingenuity, and opportunity at work in the free enterprise system," U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said.

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

 


 

Airbus FAL named Project of the Year 
By Allen Carter
Feb. 26, 2015
MOBILE, Alabama - Professionals in engineering were recognized Thursday night in Mobile.


The Mobile Area Council of Engineers held their annual awards banquet Thursday night, handing out individual honors for the top workers in the profession.

 

Engineer of the Year was awarded to William J. Knapp with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Young Engineer of the Year was given to Jason Krick, also with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.


more...

[WKRG]  

 

 

 

 

 


 

How STEM education spells success for Birmingham's workforce
Alan Alexander Reporter-Birmingham Business Journal
Feb. 26, 2015

With the increasing adaptation of technology within the workplace, employers are putting more emphasis on hiring those with backgrounds in the science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, disciplines to meet a growing demand of jobs.

 

According to a WalletHub study,Birmingham is one of the top 20 cities for hiring STEM professionals through 2018, and a number of national and local initiatives have sprung up to make sure that demand is met.

 

Earlier this week, #YesWeCode arrived in Birmingham to spark the interest in a career in software coding for high school students.

 

more...

 

[Birmingham Business Journal]

 

 

 

 

 

 


University of Alabama symposium to feature Japanese delegation 

Staff report | The Tuscaloosa News

 February 26, 2015 

A Japanese delegation will visit the University of Alabama on Tuesday for a free public symposium on Japanese society, business, technology and culture as part of a tour across the Southeast organized by the Prime Minister's Office of Japan.

 

The symposium, "Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan," will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Center for Materials for Information Technology, Room 1000, of the Bevill Building on the UA campus.

 

The delegation includes:

 

more....

 

[Tuscaloosa News]

 

 

 

 

 

 


"Feel Good" Doctors to Pamper the Computer Geeks

 By Caroline Crosdale (Le Monde)

February 10, 2015 

 

US high-tech companies call these the "perks". These perks are the large and small touches that make life much more pleasant in the office.

 

 Citrix, Genoscope, Adobe, Shutterstock-- from the SAS Institute, a powerful international developer of software to the modest Daxko in Birmingham, Alabama-all of these companies offer their employees a wide range of services and free goods or low prices for things like yoga, basketball courts, secret libraries, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt galore, sabbaticals, and lessons at universities.

 

 These perks are so far away from the high-tech world of programmers that new roles have emerged to lead the task. At Spreadshirt, a German website offering an online platform to create custom clothing, Stefanie Haeussler is the "feel good" manager. Genscape, the informant of energy and commodities traders, gave this task to their lawyer Annie Edwards, renamed the "chief people officer", "leader of the people." Daxko prefers people in its human resources title, with Dawn Hrdlica-Burke as the "VP of People." 

 

more....

 

[Birmingham Business Alliance]



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