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:




Germany's Berghoff Group to open Alabama production facility

HANNOVER, Germany - The Berghoff Group announced plans today to set up its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Auburn, where it will invest $30 million and create 100 precision-machining jobs over the next five years.

John Emerson, the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, announced the deal today at the 2016 Hannover Messe, the world's largest industrial fair. The U.S. is the event's official partner country this year, and President Barack Obama joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel to officially open the fair on Monday.

"The Berghoff Group is a family-owned firm with a strong tradition here in Germany," Emerson said. "We are proud to join that tradition with U.S. productivity and innovation - among the many reasons foreign firms choose to invest in the United States."


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Athens native pilots first Alabama-made Airbus
April 27, 2016

Anyone who's ever dreamed about test driving a high-performance sports car as it rolled off the assembly line should meet Rick Smith.

Smith, an Athens native, had a similar opportunity Monday, though it wasn't a sports car. Instead, it was the first Airbus A321 built in Alabama and delivered to JetBlue. After a large ceremony at Airbus' manufacturing facility in Mobile, Captain Smith flew the plane to a JetBlue maintenance hangar in Lake City, Florida, to be outfitted with Wi-Fi and other entertainment capabilities.

The brief flight was made more special because Smith's father, Kenneth Smith, and Rick's wife, Kimberly Smith, were along for the flight. When asked how he was selected to be the first pilot to fly the first Airbus manufactured in Alabama, his explanation was simple - he asked.



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SEDA to build Rogersville spec building
 By Bernie Delinski Staff Writer | 
April 27, 2016 

FLORENCE - The Shoals Economic Development Authority agreed Tuesday to construct a $550,000 speculative building at Rogersville Business Park.

The plant will be just west of a SEDA-built speculative building that Custom Synthetic Fibers leased in December.

Rogersville Mayor Richard Herston said the decision is good news for his town and the region.

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