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:
Flex-N-Gate gets approval for $23M expansion project
Taylor Manufacturing, Inc. coming to Stevenson
Designs on the future: Research work fills void
Local businesses showcased to area students
Evonik starts up methionine production in USA

Flex-N-Gate gets approval for $23M expansion project
Ryan Phillips Digital Producer Birmingham Business Journal
Oct 23, 2015

The Bessemer City Council this week approved tax abatements for automotive supplier Flex-N-Gate's newest round of expansions.

The abatements were approved for a proposed $23.9 million expansion at the company's current facility in McCalla, which will create 107 jobs, according to a release from the Birmingham Business Alliance. The project is expected to be in service by January 2018.

"We are very excited that Flex-N-Gate has decided to locate the company's Nissan contract work at its Bessemer facility, said Jeff Traywick, senior project manager for the Birmingham Business Alliance. "Having the opportunity to see the facility back at full operation is a good sign for both the company and the region. Access to a trained, skilled workforce made Flex-N-Gate's Bessemer facility competitive again. Competition at other locations and the support from Alabama Department of Commerce and the City of Bessemer made this project a success."


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Taylor Manufacturing, Inc. coming to Stevenson
By Wes Mayberry | 
October 23, 2015

Several state and local leaders converged on the grounds of the former Cintas building in Stevenson on Friday as part of a major announcement.
"This is a great day for Stevenson, a great day for Jackson County and a great day for Taylor Manufacturing," said Jackson County EDA President Dus Rogers in announcing Taylor Manufacturing, Inc. as the business that will fill the former Cintas building located at 224 Adams Street.
Taylor Manufacturing, a machine shop, expects to be fully operational at its new location by April or May of 2016. And company President Mike Taylor said he expects his business to hire between 10 and 20 new workers over the next few months. Several local leaders, including Jackson County Commission Chairman Matthew Hodges, spoke about how significant this development is to this area.

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October 24, 2015
Bob Friedrichs admitted he was skeptical the first time he traveled from Michigan to Alabama to get help with automotive research and found himself pulling in to a hospital facility.

"I was thinking, 'What are they going to provide me here?'" Friedrichs said about his first trip to University of Alabama at Birmingham. "But as I got in there, they're very focused."

Friedrichs is a top official with Mexico-based Rassini, a tier-one supplier that produces parts for many of the world's top automakers. They just signed a three-year deal with UAB to develop a new composite material that can be used to make one of the company's cornerstone products - leaf springs, which are used in the suspension systems of trucks and SUVs.
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Local businesses showcased to area students
By Beth Hyatt 
October 23, 2015

With graduation, college applications and career choices on the horizon for the 10th grade students of Butler County, it is important that all avenues be explored.

Built in Butler County, an event sponsored by the Butler County Commission for Economic Development, was held at the fairgrounds Thursday and offered area students the chance to talk to different industries about what could potentially lie ahead in their futures.

The event showcases businesses within the county that are successful and prospering in hopes that students will understand that their hometown can offer the same kind of jobs that larger towns do.


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Evonik starts up methionine production in USA
 

Evonik started up Mepron production at the Mobile, Alabama, site in the US, today.

 The product is a formulation of the amino acid methionine specially developed for dairy cows.

"With this investment we strengthen our position in North America as a leading company to offer innovative solutions to the market. This investment opens up new growth opportunities for the Animal Nutrition business and for Evonik in North America," says Dr. Ralph Sven Kaufmann, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer of Evonik.

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