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:
Birmingham chosen by White House to train hundreds for tech jobs
Louisiana-Pacific expanding Thomasville mill, adding 20 jobs
Wayne Farms feed mill in Dale County bringing $113 million in investment
Honda's formula for recruiting assembly workers
Innovation Depot wins $50K national award for accelerator program
Join Alabama Launchpad for connections, conversations & cocktails at its Aug. 27 Startup Competition Finale in Birmingham
EXPO gives diverse companies a 'foot up' in business

 

Birmingham chosen by White House to train hundreds for tech jobs

on August 04, 2015 

By the end of 2016, Birmingham will have at least 300 more potential employees to fill local positions in the tech sector.

 

Birmingham is one of 10 cities recently selected to take part in the TechHire initiative, a White House-led program that helps unemployed residents and low-skilled workers develop the skills to work at tech companies.

 

"Supplying a local, highly trained workforce is a win-win for the city," Mayor William Bell said. "Local citizens benefit from the high-paying jobs in the tech sector, and it makes the city more attractive for technology companies to locate and relocate here."

 

more...

 

[al.com]

 

Louisiana-Pacific expanding Thomasville mill, adding 20 jobs

on August 05, 2015 
 

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. announced Wednesday it will expand its Clarke County facility in Thomasville, adding 20 jobs by 2016.

 

Specifically, the Nashville-based wood building materials manufacturer will add a FlameBlock® Fire-Rated OSB Sheathing line with construction slated to begin in the third quarter of 2015 and conclude by September 2016.

 

Brad Southern, executive vice president of OSB, said the "substantial investment" will increase the company's ability to meet increasing market demand for fire-rated building products in the single-family, multi-family and light commercial construction markets.

 
 more...

[al.com]

 

 

Wayne Farms feed mill in Dale County bringing $113 million in investment

Ebony Davis Business Reporter

August 5, 2015

 

Dale County Commission Chairman Mark Blankenship said it took 45 years to find the right business and have the right team to help occupy 155 acres of property along Dale County Road 18, between Ozark and Newton.

 

That "right" decision, which Blankenship said wasWayne Farms LLC, is expected to pay dividends now and down the line. On Wednesday, dozens of Ozark, Dale County and Dothan officials helped the Georgia-based poultry producer officially break ground on a new feed fill on the property.


 Wayne Farms spokesman Frank Singleton said the feed mill is projected to be the largest in the United States, with output of about 25,000 tons of feed per week in support of the company's 42,000-square-foot Dothan fresh processing facility's expansion.

 

more...

 

[Dothan Eagle]

 

Honda's formula for recruiting assembly workers

August 4, 2015 

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Jeff Tomko is one of the CAR Management Briefing Seminars speakers who got deleted from the program by the chaos of the local power outage. That's too bad, because he would have been a good counter-point to some of the comments heard here about the difficulty of recruiting manufacturing workers.

 

Tomko is president of Honda's light-truck and engine subsidiary in Lincoln, Ala. New technologies and products are coming online there, including a new V-6 engine architecture and soon, a new-generation Ridgeline pickup.

 

Tomko's team thinks a lot about its workforce -- not just its current workforce, but also the one it will need there in 15 or 20 years.

 

more...

 

[Automotive news]

 

 


Alan Alexander Reporter Birmingham Business Journal
Aug. 4, 2015

Innovation Depot has been awarded $50,000 from the federal government to help fund its upcoming Velocity accelerator program.

 

This is a big win for Birmingham's business incubator, which has been developing a number of programs and initiatives to build up the city's entrepreneurial sector.

 

The funds were supplied by the U.S. Small Business Administration in partnership with the White House as part of the 2015 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. There were 80 winners selected from a field of 180 finalists, which had been narrowed down from a total of 400 applicants nationwide.

 


 Join Alabama Launchpad for connections, conversations & cocktails at its Aug. 27 Startup Competition Finale in Birmingham 


 

 

Q: What makes entrepreneurs successful?

A: Drive, passion & Alabama Launchpad, a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama!


 

Join us for connections, conversations and cocktails on Aug. 27. Watch and support 6 startups as they pitch "Shark Tank Style" from the stage at WorkPlay Theatre, 500 23rd Street. South, Birmingham, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.


 

Pitches begin at 4 p.m.

 

See firsthand how Alabama Launchpad works to helps small businesses in Alabama start, stay and grow.  Six aspiring entrepreneurs will compete for up to $250,000 in startup funding. 


 

Why Alabama Launchpad?
Alabama Launchpad helps small businesses in Alabama start, stay, and grow.


 

Register now!

 

 

 

 


EXPO gives diverse companies a 'foot up' in business

By Donna Cope

August 4, 2015 

 

Most business owners advise newcomers to the business world that making contacts - and a chance to get your foot in the door - are necessary to success.

Collette Lewis takes that advice to heart.

 

 Lewis, CEO of CFFG Strategic Consulting LLC, was among representatives of nearly 60 companies receiving prime business opportunities during Alabama Power Supplier Diversity's Power Vision Partnership EXPO at the Montgomery Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Prattville on July 23. 

 

The EXPO, which brought together many Supplier Diversity "mentees" and diverse companies that have served Alabama Power since 2010, allowed business owners a chance to connect with company Supply Chain analysts and Supplier Diversity representatives.


more....

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