Increased access to broadband has been the central topic of meetings throughout Alabama. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs began the information sessions in December and, so far, the meetings have been conducted in more than half of the counties. “Our state serves as a national example of how to effectively, and efficiently, […]

The House Energy and Commerce Committee grilled ByteDance CEO Show Zi Chew as Congress seeks to either force a sale of TikTok to a U.S. company or ban the app. Multiple factors are producing a coalition to ban something enjoyed by millions of Americans. One factor is social media’s alleged impact on anxiety and depression […]

It’s inspiring to see what aspiring entrepreneurs can do in just 54 hours. From Friday evening to Sunday evening, a group ranging from 16-year-old students to well-versed businesspersons gathered for Techstars Startup Weekend in Mobile at Innovation Portal. The creative and collaborative three-day event had individuals and groups develop and pitch new business ideas to a panel of […]

Researchers at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology will create genomic data at a scale beyond anything previously possible, thanks to a new PacBio Revio sequencing machine. HudsonAlpha researchers are some of the first in the world to have access to the new DNA sequencing technology. The Revio will support much of the Institute’s Genome Sequencing Center (GSC) work on plant, […]

HUNTSVILLE – Aerojet Rocketdyne has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin to produce additional solid rocket motors and control systems for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system. The contract includes interceptor propulsion for the U.S. and foreign military sales.. “For more than two decades, Aerojet Rocketdyne has powered THAAD, a missile defense […]

“We’re not just selling homes, we’re shaping our communities.” According to Arc Realty Co. South, “agents had a great day celebrating the real estate industry” at REALTOR® Day at the Capitol. This year was uniquely special as Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring March 14 as “REALTOR Day” in Alabama. The event featured a […]

“We’re not just selling homes, we’re shaping our communities.” According to Arc Realty Co. South, “agents had a great day celebrating the real estate industry” at REALTOR® Day at the Capitol. This year was uniquely special as Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring March 14 as “REALTOR Day” in Alabama. The event featured a […]

A record-setting performance in capital investment last year is yet another indicator of strength in the Alabama economy. Gov. Kay Ivey said the 2022 Alabama Economic Development Impact Report, compiled by the Alabama Department of Commerce, shows that capital investment of $10.1 billion, tied to economic development projects last year, topped the previous record of […]

Infrastructure is critical to almost every aspect of daily life. You can’t get to work without roads, you can’t light your home without access to electricity, and you can’t access running water without a clean, steady water supply. But there is one key form of infrastructure that many folks simply don’t have access to, even […]

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) became the second largest bank failure in American history this month. How has the government responded and does this constitute a bailout? Washington gave all SVB depositors access to all their money. We have a system of government deposit insurance, administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), established after 9,000 […]

ATHENS — The drama and anticipation were soon replaced with humor Monday when Nathan Tucker and Ash Moorer, founders of Rocket City Electric Bike Rentals, won the Singing River Trail Launch Tank pitch competition. The Singing River Trail Launch Tank is a “Shark Tank” style competition without the actual sharks, to help entrepreneurs start or […]

The Alabama Department of Commerce’s “Made in Alabama” brand is marking its 10th anniversary, a significant milestone for a long-lasting state marketing campaign that helped propel a robust period of economic development. Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield launched the “Made in Alabama” brand at a press event on the Capitol steps in Montgomery on March 19, 2013, […]

Corey Cooper ’05 walks to the edge of the roof of his guest house and stares down at the pool below. His wife, Magda Cooper ’05, lounges on an inflatable dock and faces the poolside photographer, who is waiting to see what Corey will do. Will he jump in the pool? Corey looks again and […]

TUSCALOOSA — Canada-based Epsilon Industries, a manufacturer of modular construction systems, plans to open a production facility in Tuscaloosa through a project that will create 180 jobs, according to the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA). TCEDA announced Thursday that Epsilon will invest around $3 million to establish a manufacturing facility in an existing building in […]

HUNTSVILLE — With an eye to the moon, students at Drake State Community & Technical College are using robotics to 3D-print a structure that could be used as a lunar habitat. Meanwhile, here on Earth, the Frontiers Research Program students are using a robotic arm to complete the first half of the tallest 3D-printed structure […]

A shortage of qualified meat cutters is leaving Alabama grocery stores and butcher shops desperate for skilled workers. That labor shortfall can also impact the price shoppers pay for their favorite cuts of meat. To fill the gap in qualified workers, the Alabama Community College System has developed a course to train the next generation […]

Nineteen small businesses in Alabama have been awarded more than $3 million in grants from the second round of Innovate Alabama’s Supplemental Grant Program. Alabama entrepreneurs who are recipients of Phase I and Phase II SBIR and STTR grants were awarded up to $250,000 of supplemental funding to support the growth of their small businesses. […]

The Alabama unemployment rate for February tied an all-time low, according to figures released by Gov. Kay Ivey’s office today. The state’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate is 2.5%, tying the all-time record low, down from January’s rate of 2.6%, and below February 2022’s rate of 2.6%.   February’s rate represents 56,221 unemployed people, […]

Alabama has made significant investments over the past five years to expand broadband access across the state, and as a result, we are making great progress toward bringing high-speed internet to unserved communities throughout Alabama. The governor and Legislature are focused on building upon this success. So, during the recent special session of the Legislature, […]

Saying it’s time to “move forward and stop falling back,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville urged his fellow senators to pass the Sunshine Protection Act. The legislation would make Daylight Saving Time permanent and end the practice of resetting the country’s clocks twice per year. In 2022, the Sunshine Protection Act passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent, but then-Speaker […]

Gov. Kay Ivey has clearly established economic development as a top priority for her administration since her first day as Governor, and we’ve certainly seen the return on this investment. Alabama’s economy is strong, industries are thriving, jobs abound, and more businesses than ever want to locate and grow here. Alabama’s contributions to technology and […]

ATHENS — Eight small business finalists are circling the Singing River Trail Launch Tank Competition sponsored by Launch 2035. The public is invited to come and see at 10 a.m. Monday which of the big fish will reel in the grand prize during the final round at Athens State University’s Carter Gymnasium. The contenders for […]

Calhoun Community College is doing its part to boost the state’s automotive industry workforce. The school is offering automotive scholarships to Alabama residents for the fall 2023 semester. Each scholarship is valued at $4,000. According to Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges, the scholarships are the result of a partnership between the Alabama Community College System […]

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings said Thursday its stockholders voted to approve the company’s proposed acquisition by L3Harris Technologies. The vote was 99.7% in favor of the transaction. “The shareholder vote represents a key milestone in the acquisition process, and integration planning is underway,” said L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher E. Kubasik. “We continue to respond to […]