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:
Gulf Shores Business and Aviation Park nabs Baldwin County's 8th AdvantageSite designation
Partnership aimed at boosting entrepreneurs announced at first State of the Economy event in Tuscaloosa
Auburn University, NASA to explore 3-D printing applications
Officials: Consolidated Tool an example of development fund's vision
Revamped financial incentive package will help state be competitive
Alabama's top trading partners driven by one key industry

 

Gulf Shores Business and Aviation Park nabs Baldwin County's 8th AdvantageSite designation

on July 31, 2015

  

Gulf Shores Business and Aviation Park became Baldwin County's eighth designated Alabama AdvantageSite Thursday, making it the county's second such announcement in less than one week.

 

Adjacent to the Jack Edwards National Airport, the 78.6-acre industrial park is located within the Gulf Shores city limits - roughly 15 miles from Interstate 10 - and can be accessed from four-lane Alabama Highway 59.

 

The voluntary industrial site preparedness program is coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and is a collaboration between the private sector and state and local governments aimed at increasing the marketability of locations in Alabama.

 

more....

 

[al.com]

 

Partnership aimed at boosting entrepreneurs announced at first State of the Economy event in Tuscaloosa 

By Patrick Rupinski
Business Editor
July 30, 2015 

Entrepreneurs and researchers with potentially marketable discoveries and ideas could soon get some help bringing their ideas to market. 

 

A new partnership involving a private investment firm and the University of Alabama will be formally unveiled soon, said Carl Pinkert, UA vice president for research and economic development.

 

Pinkert, the keynote speaker at the first local State of Economy conference on Thursday, said the partnership's goal will be to develop companies from the ideas and research coming from UA's researchers, faculty and students.

 

more...

 

[Tuscaloosa News]

 

 

 

Auburn University, NASA to explore 3-D printing applications


AUBURN, Alabama - Auburn University and NASA today signed a Space Act Agreement to explore and advance the applications of additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing - a technology that will revolutionize how all kinds of products, from simple items to components in rocket engines, are made.

 

The signing took place during the university's forum on additive manufacturing, a process that uses 3-D printing to make a three-dimensional part or instrument, providing substantial technological advances and cost savings over traditional manufacturing methods. The forum was co-sponsored by Auburn University and the City of Auburn Industrial Development Board.

 

"Additive manufacturing is a major advancement for the future direction for the nation's industries," said John Mason, Auburn University vice president for research and economic development. "The partnership with NASA is an excellent opportunity to engage and leverage each other's capabilities and expertise."

 

more...

 

[madeinalabama]

 

 

 

Officials: Consolidated Tool an example of development fund's vision 

By Bernie Delinski Staff Writer | 

July 31, 2015

 

It's a busy time at Consolidated Tool, Inc.


 

The Muscle Shoals industry is involved in an 18,000- to 20,000-square-foot expansion that company officials said will add 20-30 workers in the next couple of years. The pay range is approximately $20 per hour.


 

"We've already added about eight of those people and are about to move some people into our new plant in the next couple of weeks," Plant Manager Michael Greenhill said. "The equipment has started arriving."

 

more...

 

[Times Daily]

 

 

 


Revamped financial incentive package will help state be competitive

By Russ Corey Staff Writer | 

July 31, 2015


 

MUSCLE SHOALS - An upgrade of financial incentives used by the state to lure companies to Alabama will help make the state more competitive, Ted Clem told board members of the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments on Thursday.


 

Clem, the director of business development for the State Department of Commerce, said the changes were approved during the past legislative session.


 

He said the changes were needed because the state was falling behind and is no longer competitive in economic development.



more...

 


Alabama's top trading partners driven by one key industry
on July 30, 2015 

 

Alabama's three auto assembly plants cranked out nearly 1 million vehicles last year, so it's no surprise that the industry dominates the state's trade statistics.

 

That's true for both exports and imports.

 

Business Insider recently compiled maps showing the most important trading partners for each state.



more...

 


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