Comedian Roy Wood Jr. came home to Birmingham to produce a television show but ended up playing the part of Nick Fury in the Avengers movies … sort of. “Organizing the infrastructure needed to make sure a television show could happen here in terms of finding all of the resources – you knew they were here but […]

It’s been nearly a year and half since Bailey Coats has fed us new music. But the Birmingham singer/songwriter said she has two dozen songs ready for fans to feast on starting with the release today of “SNACK.” “I’m looking forward to releasing those this year, but more importantly I’m looking forward to getting the single out […]

The $24 million redevelopment of the American Life building has passed the halfway point on its way to opening up later this year as 140 “workforce housing” apartments. Developer Ed Ticheli took Alabama NewsCenter and officials, including U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, on a tour of the 12-story building to showcase how the former office tower […]

With a city as old and storied as Mobile, the places and landmarks seem to be begging to tell their tales. Thankfully, they have Todd Duren to do it for them. Duren is tour guide and owner of Secret History Tours, a company that offers a variety of walking tours in and around downtown Mobile. “I […]

Montgomery continues to be validated as an emerging city in technology and innovation. The latest confirmation comes from the Capital City garnering two 2020 Smart 50 Awards from US Ignite and Smart Cities Connect. Montgomery will be recognized for awards in the Urban Infrastructure and Digital Transformation categories at a ceremony April 6 in Denver.

The new Alabama-built Hyundai Sonata is getting a star-studded push with a new 60-second Super Bowl commercial. But don’t look for a Southern accent. Titled “Smaht Pahk,” the new ad is highlighting the Sonata’s smart park feature using Boston celebrities Chris Evans, John Krasinski, Rachel Dratch and Red Sox legend David Ortiz. The Sonata is […]

Alabama’s economic development community is bringing special attention to rural counties in an effort to elevate the entire state. A new Alabama Rural Development Initiative is gaining traction and for the first time ever, a Rural Economic Development Conference is being held in the state Jan. 29-30. Geographically speaking, rural Alabama makes up the majority […]

More than 250 high school seniors met with representatives from almost 30 companies at the Bessemer Civic Center for an Interview Day event designed to link those entering the workforce with those looking to hire. The students were from 14 high schools across a six-county area (Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker). Interview […]

Alabama Power’s work in innovation, technology and economic development is taking it somewhere it’s never been before: CES 2020. The world’s largest consumer technology event is a logical place for the power company’s economic development and innovation efforts. Not only has CES increasingly included automakers with ties to Alabama showcasing their latest electric vehicles and […]

Different people pronounce the name of the nut differently, but the deliciousness of the pecans at Superior Pecans & Gifts in Eufaula is something all can agree on. Whether it’s the main ingredient in a holiday pie or a highlight on the frosting of a red velvet cake, pecans truly shine during this time of year. Of […]

A dramatic $123 million renovation of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex’s Legacy Arena moved one step closer with the Birmingham Design Review Committee’s unanimous approval of the plan. The committee signed off on the designs, materials, landscaping and lighting. A separate signage plan will be presented to the Design Review Committee next year.

The Birmingham Business Alliance revealed a new mission and a new approach to economic development as it heads into 2020. The BBA’s 2019 Chairwoman’s Annual Meeting was at the Lyric Theatre in Birmingham Dec. 11. Chairwoman Nancy Goedecke passed the gavel to Jim Gorrie, president and CEO of Brasfield & Gorrie. Gone is Blueprint Birmingham, which guided the […]

It’s hard to imagine a time when the Alabama Power Foundation didn’t exist, especially for the dozens of organizations throughout the state that have advanced with its support. For three decades, the foundation has looked for ways to elevate Alabama and boost communities through charitable giving, giving back more than $230 million to the communities that Alabama Power serves. […]

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is providing a workforce development grant to Alabama and has named two Alabamians to its inaugural Appalachian Leadership Council. Gov. Kay Ivey has announced a $280,000 ARC grant to help Jefferson State Community College construct a 5,026-square-foot facility at its Shelby-Hoover campus. The facility will allow for the expansion of the school’s welding technology program to […]

The weather was a frightful 99 degrees outside Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United’s Birmingham headquarters Tuesday but inside it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The fourth-largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. is among the first to roll out two new flavors for the Christmas holiday season: Coca-Cola Cinnamon and Sprite Winter […]

Nick and Terry Saban are using Nick’s Kids Foundation to provide needed job skills to residents of the Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center in hopes it will change lives for the better and break a cycle of repeat offenders. Terry Saban joined center officials and others to cut the ribbon on a new facility built with a $100,000 […]

Steve Malcom has gone entire months without buying any gas going to and from work in Fort Payne. Matt Creasey, a University of Alabama student, passes by pumps on his way to school and plugs in on campus before going into class. Electric vehicle owners in Alabama had reasons to boast as they showcased their cars at […]

It starts with a special ingredient – in this case, registered dietician and educator Jessica Hamby. Combine with the children willing to learn and participate. Flavor in a mix of art, crafts, reading and hands-on learning. Then top off with the capable hands of proven instructors and assistants, and you have Itty Bitty Bakers.

Hyundai’s Alabama plant was instrumental in developing a new wearable robot exoskeleton, and its workers will be among the first in the world to incorporate the technology on the assembly line. On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled plans for its Hyundai Rotem company to produce the Vest EXoskeleton, or VEX, and Chairless EXoskeleton, or CEX. The technology aims to […]

The next new vehicle Mercedes-AMG will produce exclusively in Alabama is a crossover that may be the sportiest yet in its SUV line. The German automaker has unveiled the 2021 GLE 53 Coupe last week and officials have confirmed it will be built at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) plant near Tuscaloosa for the worldwide […]

Alabama Power has one of the most successful economic development teams in the country, according to a new report from Site Selection Magazine. The economic development publication recognized the 20 U.S. utilities with the best track record for recruiting and expanding industry last year. For Alabama Power, the magazine cited the $2.1 billion in new […]

The head of the Alabama Department of Commerce will lead a trade mission to Israel early next year, part of a greater outreach between the state and the country that included a forum in Birmingham this week. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said a trip to Israel is being planned for April or May of 2020 with […]

Meredith Riley Stewart has found a new home in Hollywood, but lately the Phenix City native is feeling a pull back to her home state. Whether it’s showcasing her virtual reality (VR) short film at this week’s Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham or scouting locations in the Chattahoochee Valley for a new feature film, Riley Stewart is finding […]

How does Alabama’s commerce secretary react to a record year of economic development in the state? By calling for a revamp of the statewide plan that has guided that growth. Greg Canfield knows that Alabama’s successes have come because the state has been willing to constantly improve on everything from incentives to targeted industries. It […]