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.
Auto supplier Grupo Antolin to open Alabama facility with 150 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Governor Robert Bentley announced today that global auto supplier Grupo Antolin plans to invest nearly $10.4 million to establish a manufacturing facility in Jefferson County that will employ 150 people by 2020.
The Birmingham area location will add to Spain-based Grupo Antonlin's extensive worldwide operating footprint, which includes 161 production plants and 25 technical and commercial offices in 26 countries.
Antolin Alabama Inc. will locate its facility in an existing building at Jefferson Metropolitan Park in McCalla, with a build-out expected to begin in early March. Total investment in the project is projected to be $10.35 million. The average hourly wage for Alabama workers is estimated at $19.13.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. - Several Alabama officials traveled to the Tennessee Valley to speak out about the future of jobs here in the state and how important it is to get students prepared for the workforce.
"If our young people are not becoming interested and attracted to high-tech manufacturing that we have to offer here in the robotics facility, then it's all for naught," Senator Orr said.
Which is why the Robotic Technology Park held a career fair. The fair gave students the chance to tour the facility and meet potential employers.
One of the biggest internet service providers in the world has landed in Montgomery in what could be a major milestone for the city's tech movement.
Global ISP giant Hurricane Electric announced Monday that it has launched its first point of presence in Alabama at the RSA Dexter Avenue Data Center. Hurricane will offer up to 100 gig Ethernet connections to businesses, schools, government entities and others.
The company operates the world's largest Internet Protocol version 6 network.
AdvantageSite program will begin accepting pre-consultation applications, beginning Wednesday
The purpose of the pre-consultation checklist is to determine what applications for AdvantageSites will be accepted in 2017.
The pre-consultation checklist will be available Wednesday, March 1, through Friday, March 31.
This checklist will be available Wednesday on the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama's website for those wishing to pursue an AdvantageSite designation.
AdvantageSite is a teamwork approach between the private sector and state and local governments geared toward having prepared product and materials ready for industrial prospects.
The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Commerce, Alagasco, Alabama Power Co., the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Representatives from each of the entities actively participate in application reviews and on-site visits to prospective AdvantageSite designees.
AdvantageSite is a voluntary industrial site preparedness program created in order to make the state more competitive for companies considering a location in Alabama.