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:
Mobile lands major supplier Hutchinson Aerospace on first day of 2015 Paris Air Show
Secretary Canfield kicks off Alabama Paris Air Show effort: 'Let's go'
Huntsville could be home to future spacecraft landings
Mobile-based Star Aviation plans $2.4M expansion, 50 new jobs
Auburn ranked one of the best small and medium-size cities for jobs
Reducing Risk in Automotive Operations

 


Mobile lands major supplier Hutchinson Aerospace on first day of 2015 Paris Air Show
on June 15, 2015 

Officials with Paris-based Hutchinson Corp. confirmed Monday their intentions to establish an aerospace manufacturing center of excellence in Mobile, creating as many as 100 jobs within the next three years and substantial expansion opportunities.

 

Grant Hintze, executive vice president for Hutchinson Aerospace North America, told AL.com logistics, quality of life, available workforce and access to training made Mobile an ideal location for its new facility, intended to service the region's burgeoning aerospace industry while growing Hutchinson's North American aerospace footprint.

 

"The challenge has always been finding a place that...you can get in and out of quickly, and Mobile is just ideal because it has the port there, and they're expanding that port, so that makes things better for us," Hintze said, adding, "The (Mobile) Regional Airport runs flights up to Charlotte quite often which makes it easy to get to the Boeing facility in South Carolina, and it's relatively easy to drop down to Dallas or go up to Atlanta and get most anywhere you want to go."



more...

 

Secretary Canfield kicks off Alabama Paris Air Show effort: 'Let's go'


PARIS - Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield addressed a group of aerospace entrepreneurs, community leaders, economic development specialists and university representatives at a breakfast event this morning that kicked off the Alabama Paris Air Show marketing and recruitment effort.

 

On the eve of the world's largest aerospace business development and trade show, Secretary Canfield said Alabama's aerospace sector is primed for growth. As Airbus is preparing to launch passenger jet assembly in Mobile, other major companies, including Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, are expanding their Alabama operations.

 

"Let's go," he told the Alabama group at the breakfast.

 

 

more...

 

[madeinalabama]

 

 

Huntsville could be home to future spacecraft landings


HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) - Governor Robert Bentley has announced plans to explore landing a spacecraft at Huntsville International Airport.

 

Huntsville city leaders gathered at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce for the big announcement delivered from France during the annual Paris Air Show.

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser is described as a multi-mission-capable space utility vehicle.  The vehicle is currently in competition for the contract to resupply the International Space Station.  Officials with Sierra Nevada Corporation say there are also plans to use the Dream Chaser on a variety of other missions to serve both U.S. and international customers.

 

"Alabama has been a leader in the space industry since the beginning and it is natural that Alabama would continue to play a vital role in the continuation of space exploration," Governor Robert Bentley said.

 

more....

[WHNT]

 

 

 

 

Mobile-based Star Aviation plans $2.4M expansion, 50 new jobs

on June 12, 2015

  

Mobile-based Star Aviation will soon invest $2.35 million to expand its operations at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, creating as many as 50 jobs within the next two years.

 

The Industrial Development Board of Mobile County approved Friday tax abatements totaling more than $261,000 for the project that involves construction of a 24,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to complement the 18,000 square feet already leased at the aeroplex.

 

Johnny Wacker, Star Aviation's executive director and a company partner, told board members that business is booming, with 20 new people hired in the past 12 months and another 50 new hires projected within the next two years.

 

more....

 

[al.com]

 

Auburn ranked one of the best small and medium-size cities for jobs

Birmingham Business Journal
June 14, 2015

One Alabama college town was recently named one of the best small and medium-size cities for jobs in 2015.

The Auburn-Opelika metro area ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list, with 60,700 jobs in 2014.

 

Auburn University continues to grow, attracting new students and supporting economic development in the area.

 

more...

 

[Birmingham Business Journal]

 

 

 

Reducing Risk in Automotive Operations

By Karen Yarbrough| Karen.yarbrough@uah.edu

June 15, 2015

 

Alabama automotive leaders and Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association (AAMA) members are gathering for a briefing that will feature presentations focusing on reducing risk in automotive operations on Thursday, June 18, in Birmingham. 

 

 This initial briefing is part of the AAMA Automotive Leader Series, which is focusing on reducing risks while continuing to grow company operations. 

 

The presentation will include: identification of risks to operations, control and reduction of exposure to operational risks, minimizing the cost of managing risk, improving safety for employees while traveling abroad, and responses when the crisis occurs.

 

Leaders participating in the AAMA Automotive Leader Series and other AAMA events always benefit from interaction with key industry experts, exposure to current trends, discovering ways to encourage innovation, and learning practical solutions to the challenges of leadership in the dynamic automotive manufacturing industry.

 

The briefing includes speakers from Management Methods, Inc., Burr & Foreman, Catlin, McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc., RQA, and Jamison Money Farmer, P.C., CPA.

 

If interested in attending the AAMA Thursday briefing, details and registration information are available by clicking here.   

 

 

 


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