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:
First Alabama-made Airbus A321 makes initial test flight
Carroll High's Career Center programs will serve as model for Alabama schools
Fiber Internet company plans major expansion in Birmingham
Aviation company CAE set to locate at Dothan Regional Airport

First Alabama-made Airbus A321 makes initial test flight

MOBILE, Alabama - Airbus test pilots this morning began the maiden flight of the company's first Alabama-made A321 passenger jet, embarking on a three-hour mission designed to evaluate the plane's performance and systems.

The flight began shortly after 9:30 this morning from the airstrip at the Mobile Aeroplex, the site of Airbus' new $600 million U.S. manufacturing facility. The A321, sporting the logo and colors of its eventual owner, JetBlue Airways, was scheduled to return to the Aeroplex around 12:30 p.m.

Airbus posted updates on the test while it was under way over the Gulf of Mexico.


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Carroll High's Career Center programs will serve as model for Alabama schools

Ebony Davis

March 17, 2016


 

OZARK-A career technical education program in Ozark that simulates workplace environments in seven different industries has been selected as the model for such programs throughout the state.
Amanda Campbell, the simulated workplace coordinator for Carroll High School's Career Center, said the center was recently selected as the model for 85 similar simulated workforce programs throughout the state. She said seven of the career center's 10 CTE programs have converted their classrooms into simulated businesses that reflect services offered within the community.
In its full implementation across all of the programs next school year, the career center courses are expected to involve industry-indicative uniforms for the students, time entry for them to clock in and out of class, leadership positions - such as managers - for which the students can apply and interview, and soft skills development. The students are expected to use employee manuals as their textbooks, and are typically paid with school credit or industry supplies they can use within the course


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Fiber Internet company plans major expansion in Birmingham
Reporter Birmingham Business Journal
Mar 18, 2016

Southern Light and the city of Birmingham are expanding a partnership to provide high-speed Internet connectivity throughout the city.

Last summer, the city and Mobile-based Southern Light signed a franchise agreement for the company to lay 120 miles of fiber optic cables.

This week, the city and Southern Light announced that agreement has been expanded to 500 miles of cables that deliver Internet speeds 1,000 times faster than current providers. Southern Light will be investing $30 million into the project, which is already underway and is expected to take a few years to complete.


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Aviation company CAE set to locate at Dothan Regional Airport
Lance Griffin 
Posted on Mar 15, 2016

A major aviation company is poised to make up to a $90 million investment in a training facility at the Dothan Regional Airport.
The Dothan City Commission granted construction, property and equipment-related tax abatements to CAE USA Inc., and WMJHSR Investments, LLC Tuesday for the purpose of the construction of what is being called a Center of Excellence for Flight training facility at the airport.
CAE is expected to have the Department of Defense contract to provide fixed wing training for around 600 Army and Air Force pilots through at least 2023. It is not yet known how many jobs the project will initially create.


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