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:
US Steel to save 300 jobs after making $277.5 million investment in Fairfield facilities
Where Alabama Excels
Local students learn of job options at career fair
DynCorp International's DynAviation Group launches new headquarters at Bridge Street
Huntsville launches plan to become 'Gig City' with ultra-fast, fiber-based Internet service
Regions Bank ranked among top 10 percent of companies for customer service in 2015 Temkin Experience
Which Alabama startups will win a share of up to $250,000?

 

 

US Steel to save 300 jobs after making $277.5 million investment in Fairfield facilities
on March 19, 2015 

US Steel will invest in new equipment that will add about 300 jobs in Jefferson County.

 

County commissioners voted Thursday to grant more than $14 million in tax abatements over 10 years to US Steel's new projects, which represent about a $277.5 million investment.

 

The steel maker announced in January it would eliminate about 1,800 jobs. With the newly announced projects, the jobs at the Fairfield operation would be about 600, instead of about 300.


more...

 

 

 

Where Alabama Excels

TEXT BY CHARLIE INGRAM

March 2015

 

Sometimes, when we think about what Alabama is good at, it's hard to get beyond football. Here's a look at a dozen other areas where Alabama excels.


Medical Research

It would be hard to say when the world really took notice of the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a medical care and research institution. But it might have been in 1966 when Dr. John Kirklin, a Harvard-educated heart surgeon, left the Mayo Clinic in favor of UAB and put it on the map as a leader in cardiovascular surgery and care. 


 

UAB has performed more than 30,000 open-heart surgeries since then and currently does 1,500 a year. It is also one of the three largest kidney transplant centers in the nation, having performed more than 5,000 kidney transplants since 1968. 

 

more...

 

[Business Alabama]



 

 

 

Local students learn of job options at career fair

By Patrick McCreless, Star Staff Writer,pmccreless@annistonstar.com

March 18, 2015


 

Jalen Jackson has known for awhile that engineering is the career path for him. What the Oxford High School student hasn't known was where he could get a head start on that goal.


 

At least, he didn't know until Wednesday, when he learned an opportunity was just a few minutes drive from his home.


 

Jackson was one of more than 600 high school students from Calhoun County who attended the Gadsden State Community College's career fair at McClellan. Organized by Gadsden State's career coach program, the fair offered students more detailed information on career opportunities and how to obtain them. The program's staff hopes it will become an annual event.


more...

 


DynCorp International's DynAviation Group launches new headquarters at Bridge Street
on March 18, 2015 

DynCorp International (DI)'s DynAviation Group is settling into a new home this month in Huntsville after moving from its previous location off Explorer Boulevard.

 

DynAviation recently opened a new headquarters with more than 17,000 square feet of office space at 310 The Bridge Street, Suite 400, in Huntsville.

 

 Spokeswoman Beatrice Livioco said the company had been at its former location more than three years.

 

The full-spectrum aerospace, aviation and air operations solutions provider held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon for the facility, which houses more than 50 DynAviation employees.

 

more....

 

[al.com]

 

Huntsville launches plan to become 'Gig City' with ultra-fast, fiber-based Internet service
on March 18, 2015 

Huntsville's ambitious plan to join the growing list of U.S. cities with ultra-high-speed Internet service is now under way.

 

Mayor Tommy Battle announced Wednesday that Huntsville wants to hear from private companies capable of creating a citywide fiber-optic network with download speeds "at or above" 1 gigabit per second.

 

Internet providers that want to partner with Huntsville on the "Gig City" effort must submit a letter of intent by April 1. Proposals are due April 24.


 more...

[al.com]

 

 

 

Regions Bank ranked among top 10 percent of companies for customer service in 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings
Michael Seale Reporter -Birmingham Business Journal
March 18, 2015

Regions Bank ranked among the top 10 percent of companies in the recently released 2015 Temkin Experience Rankings, compiled by customer experience research and consulting firmTemkin Group. This is the second year in a row in which Regions has been ranked among the top 10 percent.

 

Regions ranked third in the bank industry category and tied for 22nd place overall in the rankings. 

 

"We are pleased to once again be recognized by the Temkin Group for providing an outstanding customer experience," said Bill Askew, senior executive vice president of strategic Initiatives and Service Quality for Regions Bank. This ranking is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of each of our associates, who are focused on understanding and meeting the financial needs of Regions Bank customers.

 

more...

 

[Birmingham Business Journal]


 

 

 

Which Alabama startups will win a share of up to $250,000? 


Five teams will take the stage Friday, March, 20, during Alabama Launchpad's Startup Competition Finale to give their final business pitches and compete for funding. 

The finale, to be held at Evonik Industries, 750 Lakeshore Parkway, Birmingham, begins at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. Come watch!

Startups making final pitches before a five-judge panel are:
Abel Healthcare Enterprises, Brewery Buddy, In the Sports Zone, LLC, Skills for Success and Wires. 


 


 

Abel Healthcare Enterprises
Brewery Buddy

In the Sports Zone, LLC
Skills for Success

Wires

Alabama Launchpad 2015

 

More than $1.3 million has been awarded to competition winners since Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, started as a pilot project in 2006. Alabama Launchpad has led to the creation of 305 jobs and $20.4 million in follow-on funding.

  

Click here to learn about how Alabama Launchpad supports entrepreneurs.


 

 

 

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Val Walton
   
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