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.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After more than 39 years of service to public education, State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tommy Bice, has announced plans to retire from his post as Alabama's educational leader.
In his more than four years as State Superintendent of Education, Bice has charted a course to improve public education that includes improving graduation rates, increasing students' college- and career-readiness, establishing rigorous academic standards and meaningful assessments and accountability systems, supporting teachers and leaders to create innovative learning opportunities for students, and advocating for adequate funding for schools and school systems.
Dr. Bice leaves a legacy of his vision to accomplish these things and much more through PLAN 2020, the state's strategic plan for education reform. Through changes in leadership and election cycles, PLAN 2020 continues as intended, focused on creating a student-centered culture for innovation and creativity while meeting each student's individual needs and passions.
Ty West Managing editor Birmingham Business Journal
Feb 29, 2016
The HudsonAlpha Foundation has received a gift totaling more than $1 million to help advance genomic medicine offerings.
The Huntsville-based institute received the gift of $1,050,000 from an anonymous donor. The gift will be used to create a Hero Fund with a goal of bringing genomic medicine to patients who can't afford it.
HudsonAlpha and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been working together on various genomic medicine endeavors, as we previously reported.
Mobile's Innovation PortAL to create 'entrepreneurial ecosystem' in heart of downtown
By Kelli M. Dugan
A projected $4 million investment sits poised to propel the rebirth of downtown Mobile's St. Louis Street corridor, while cultivating innovative, financially viable businesses and positioning the Port City as the Gulf Coast's entrepreneurial hub.
Lynne Chronister, the University of South Alabama's vice president of research and economic development, unveiled informal plans Wednesday for Innovation PortAL, a long-discussed technology-centered - but not exclusive - incubator and accelerator to be housed along the city's former Automobile Alley.
"When we applied for the (U.S. Department of Commerce's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership) designation, one of our primary focuses was in workforce development, but another aspect we looked at was innovation. Because Mobile was a traditional manufacturing community, we hadn't focused (historically) on building an entrepreneurial ecosystem," she said.
More than 1,300 students part of Sylacauga schools' career, technical education program
Denise Sinclair, Daily Home staff writer
February 29, 2016
SYLACAUGA -- There are more than 1,300 students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in the Sylacauga City school system.
The Board of Education heard firsthand Tuesday, Feb. 22, what students think about the program.
Dr. Jon Segars, program director, said students can take courses in business education to include career preparedness; dual enrollment through Central Alabama Community College, where students can earn college credit; family and consumer science; health science to include biomedical science; STEM (Project Lead the Way and Career Clusters Technologies); and work-based education.
The AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) will hold its Eighteenth Annual Business Forum on Friday, March 4, in Birmingham
The AGP Business Forum entitled: "Innovation - Getting Ahead in the Global, Knowledge-Based Economy" will be opened by Deputy Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany Thomas Wülfing. The forum will be held at Alagasco's Center for Energy Technology
The theme for this year's Forum is "innovation". Germany is known for innovative and cutting-edge technologies; so too is Alabama. Learn what is happening in the start-up scene in the Birmingham area and how these developments can help other businesses operating in Alabama find success in an increasingly global economy.
Learn how Alabama's Community College System keeps up with changes and needs in today's knowledge-based economy. Meet two unique start-ups: TrimTab Brewing Co. - the newest brewery in town, and RadioBro Corporation - a new company that is taking off fast. What have "real life" start-up businesses gone through? How might these experiences help your business become more innovative?
Space is still available for the Business Forum. Register on-line or to receive more information, please contact the AlabamaGermany Partnership office by phone at (205) 943-4772 or via e-mail at director@alabamagermany.org .
