Diversity Is Key Factor in Alabama's Thriving Development
Apr/May 08
The automotive industry is the economic engine behind many new projects. "Last year, 738,832 new vehicles were produced in this state; 10 years ago, no vehicles were produced here," says Wade. Automotive industry employment rose 8 percent last year and generated payroll of $5.2 billion in 2007, according to the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. Next year, Honda plans to begin production of the Ridgeline pickup at the Lincoln assembly plant, which already builds the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot sport utility vehicle.
Kia's new $1 billion assembly plant in nearby West Point, Georgia, has spurred many expansions and new facilities in Alabama. Wade notes that 3,700 jobs have been created as a result of the Kia project. In 2007, six expansions and six new projects were initiated to provide parts for the plant. Besides supplying Kia, some of those companies will also serve a new Hyundai engine factory in Montgomery that also will supply Kia's plant.
More than 300 aerospace companies operate in Alabama today, focusing on space and defense; aviation; and maintenance, refurbishment, and overhaul. Major entities in this sector include the Marshall Space Flight Center, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. A recent aviation development is expected to help the economy in the state's southwest region take off: Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS won a $40 billion U.S. Air Force contract for new aerial refueling tankers. The contract is reportedly the largest single Air Force procurement in history. Approximately 1,500 jobs are anticipated.
Birmingham and Huntsville are becoming life sciences and biosciences clusters. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is presently doing more than $450 million in externally funded research annually, mostly in the biosciences. The 270,000-square-foot Hudson Alpha Institute in Huntsville is expected to support more than 900 scientists in biotech and pharmaceutical research.
Project Announcements
Japan-Based TMEIC Corporation Americas Plans Waller County, Texas, Manufacturing Operations
04/21/2025
South Korea-Based Samkwang Plans Tuskegee, Alabama, Operations
04/21/2025
Denmark-Based Primo Plans Mobile, Alabama, Production Operations
04/07/2025
Core Scientific Plans Auburn, Alabama, Data Center Operations
02/27/2025
AGS America Expands Opelika, Alabama, Manufacturing Operations
02/10/2025
Diageo North America Plans Montgomery, Alabama, Manufacturing-Warehouse Operations
02/05/2025
Green Heath Laboratories Plans Foley, Alabama, Testing Operations
02/04/2025
Dothan Warehouse Expands Houston County, Alabama, Operations
12/18/2024
C BLOX Plans Montgomery-Huntsville, Alabama, Data Center Operations
12/12/2024
SpaceFactory Establishes Huntsville, Alabama, Operations
11/22/2024
Aerostar Expands Mobile, Alabama, Operations
11/20/2024
Sierra Pacific Industries Establishes Phenix City, Alabama, Manufacturing Operations
11/04/2024
Proplate Plans Chunchula, Alabama, Manufacturing Operations
10/28/2024
Integrated Solutions for Systems Expands Marion County, Alabama, Operations
10/26/2024
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