Personnel Update: Greg Canfield to join Birmingham law firm
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, who is leaving his post at the end of the month, has accepted a position at Burr & Forman as their managing director of economic development. “Secretary Canfield and I have worked together for over a decade,” said Burr & Forman Partner Lee Thuston. “He knows economic development — and particularly the automotive sector — inside and out. That knowledge and his leadership will be a great benefit to our clients going forward.” Canfield will head up Burr & Furman’s economic development team. The firm currently has a team of lawyers working on economic development in five states. Canfield is not licensed to practice law and will not be giving legal advice, the company explained in a statement. “Our law firm has long enjoyed a reputation for results in the economic development industry,” explained Burr & Forman CEO Ed Christian. “We are thrilled to have Secretary Canfield joining us to build on that success and ensure seamless, knowledgeable service to our clients.” “Economic expansion is good for communities and good for families. I am proud of what we achieved during my time in the public sector and look forward to continuing those efforts across the Southeast in my new role at Burr & Forman,” Canfield said. Canfield will begin his new duties on January 2, 2024. Canfield was initially appointed by Governor Robert Bentley (R) in 2011. He has worked with Gov. Kay Ivey since 2017. During his 12-year tenure at the Alabama Department of Commerce, the state attracted more than $70 billion in new investments and promises of 180,000 new jobs. Canfield also initiated Commerce’s rural development strategy, participated in trade missions to 30 countries, and launched the long-running “Made in Alabama” brand. Canfield was inducted into the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers’ Association Hall of Fame and the Southern Automotive Manufacturers’ Alliance Hall of Fame. Before he served as Commerce Secretary, Canfield served in the Alabama House of Representatives. Gov. Ivey has appointed Ellen McNair to replace Canfield. McNair is currently for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and has decades of experience in economic development. She had worked with Ivey in the 1980s when Ivey was the number two person at the Alabama Development Office, the precursor to today’s Alabama Department of Commerce. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield goes to Denmark in pursuit of bioscience jobs
Last week, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield led a delegation of Alabama bioscience businesses on a trade mission to Nordic Life Sciences Days (NLSDays), the largest Scandinavian partnering conference dedicated to the life sciences industry. The Alabama team, which includes representatives from six bioscience firms, arrived in Copenhagen to attend an evening reception hosted by Alan M. Leventhal, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark. The group engaged in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, toured the region’s dynamic Medicon Valley life science cluster, attended presentations, and participated in networking opportunities. “Alabama’s robust bioscience industry is plugged into a sweeping range of cutting-edge fields, and we’re committed to helping foster growth in this strategically important sector,” Secretary Canfield said. “This mission to NLSDays will permit these Alabama companies to make valuable new connections and explore the possibilities of collaborations in the Nordic region.” Launched in 2013, NLSDays attracts leading decision-makers from biotech, pharma, medtech and more. Organizers say the event creates a unique place to do business by bringing innovative companies together for inspiration, partnering, and global industry growth. Jeremy Blanks is the CEO of BioAlabama, a trade group representing bioscience enterprises across the state. “The NLSDays mission is a critical step in marketing the life science capabilities of Alabama on a global basis,” said Blanks, CEO of BioAlabama. Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth told Alabama Today, “With an estimated annual economic impact of 7.3 billion dollars, bioscience is one of the state of Alabama’s dominant industries. As a targeted business sector, the field has attracted attention across Alabama and the world. Alabama is home to a growing list of bioscience companies that manufacture pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and life-saving treatments and technologies. Attendance at this month’s Nordic Life Science Days (NLSDays) conference helps recruit new partners and further our state’s global presence as a bioscience hub.” Alabama bioscience companies’ missions are: CytoViva Inc. (Auburn), a provider of state-of-the-art optical and spectral imaging instrumentation Gulf Sterilization Inc. (Mobile), which provides medical device sterilization services using chlorine dioxide gas iRepertoire (Huntsville), a provider of next-generation sequencing of immune receptors and T- and B-cells MRIMath LLC (Birmingham), which provides cloud-based workspaces for image analysis and sharing using AI-aided methods SynVivo Inc. (Huntsville), a provider of tissue and organ-on-chip models for drug development and personalized medicine applications TriAltus Bioscience (Birmingham) which provides a simplified protein purification platform for research applications Alabama is home to 780 bioscience companies, and the industry has an annual economic impact estimated at $7.3 billion, according to an analysis performed for BioAlabama. Nearly 18,000 Alabamians are employed in life science or biotechnology jobs, with average annual salaries in the industry topping $67,000. Commerce’s Office of International Trade is a member of the Export Alabama Alliance, a network of agencies that help Alabama companies access foreign markets. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Greg Canfield is optimistic about rural Alabama’s long-term economic growth
On Wednesday, Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said, “Rural Alabama looks set for long-term economic growth.” Canfield is set to leave state government at the end of the month. “When I reflect on what we’ve achieved during my tenure at the Alabama Department of Commerce, one of the things I always underline is an increased emphasis on rural development,” Canfield said. “This began with the new strategies we adopted in Accelerate Alabama 2.0, the updated version of our strategic economic development plan. We took a step further in 2019 when Commerce formed its first Office of Rural Development, led by Brenda Tuck.” “Since then, we’ve been on a roll. In the past three-plus years, the economic development team working in Alabama’s rural counties has secured over $4 billion in new capital investment through projects projected to create more than 5,400 jobs,” Canfield continued. “No wonder Governor Kay Ivey hailed this success as “nothing short of remarkable” at a recent summit for the state’s rural developers, organized by Tuck.” “But don’t get caught up in the big numbers related to the rural projects since 2020,” Canfield said. “What’s really important is that these projects have improved communities and changed countless lives for the better in a lasting way. That’s what economic development is all about. And I’m especially proud of what we’ve accomplished in rural Alabama.” Alabama grew between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses, but of the 67 counties, 55 were flat or in decline. Most of the population growth in the state during that period was in Baldwin, Madison, Lee, Limestone, Shelby, Lee, Tuscaloosa, Autauga, and St. Clair Counties, continuing a long-term trend that dates back to at least the Great Depression of children coming of age in rural Alabama and then going on to build their lives elsewhere, whether that is in Alabama or another state. Some counties in Alabama have smaller populations today than they did in 1900. As Alabama has transitioned from agriculture to forestry, there are far fewer farms, and those timber plantations and hunting clubs don’t require the workers that the farms and ranches once did. Even where farm families have held on, the farms have gotten bigger, more mechanized, and support fewer workers than they did in generations past. This has left many small towns across the state in perpetual decline with an aging population whose grandchildren are growing up elsewhere. Gov. Ivey, who grew up on a cattle farm in rural Wilcox County, has made reversing the decline in rural Alabama a goal of her administration, emphasizing economic development in rural areas, an expansion of rural broadband, school improvement, and infrastructure upgrades, including roads, bridges, water systems, and wastewater treatment. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
$30 million EV training center in Alabama will support auto industry growth
Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center that will focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and emerging technologies, with the goal of positioning the state’s auto industry for the next chapter of its growth. The facility will be on the campus of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park, a $73 million center near Decatur operated by AIDT that helps companies train workers on advanced R&D and manufacturing technologies. “Alabama is already a recognized leader in workforce development, and this training center concentrating on EVs and new technologies will add an important dimension to our capabilities,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This investment shows that we’re fully committed to making Alabama an even greater force in the global auto industry in the future.” AIDT Director Ed Castile said design work has begun on the planned facility, which is projected to span 40,000 square feet at Robotics Park, where there is room for growth on 40 available acres. The training center is expected to be operational in 18 to 24 months. “Our main goal is to help the state’s automakers continue to grow during the transition to electric powertrains and assist them as they embrace new technologies that are evolving all the time,” said Castile, who also serves as deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We just want to make sure we have a workforce that has the ability to thrive in this new environment, so it’s a natural extension of what we do at Robotics Park.” Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center to focus on electric vehicles and new technologies in the auto industry. The facility will be at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur. (contributed) New technologies AIDT and the Department of Commerce have been working on developing programs for the new training center, which included visits to EV battery factories in Japan and Europe. A technical committee composed of auto industry leaders and others has also been formed to offer guidance. In addition, a group of academic partners has been assembled as allies to advance the effort. This includes the Alabama Mobility and Power Center at the University of Alabama, the Alabama Community College System, and the state’s K-12 school system. Alabama Power is a partner in the Alabama Mobility and Power Center. “The auto industry is being confronted by the strong headwinds of disruptive technologies today, and it’s vital that we’re prepared to help Alabama’s autoworkers adapt to the industry’s shifting directions,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. Plans for the training center come as Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have launched production of EVs at their Alabama manufacturing plants, and companies in the EV battery supply chain have begun locating in the state. The activity is expected to accelerate amid massive industry EV investments. The Alabama Legislature approved funding for the new training center during its last session through a bill sponsored by state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. “Robotics Technology Park has long represented the gold standard for workforce training and a tremendous resource for Alabama and the companies that use it,” Orr said. “That makes it the perfect home for this new facility focusing on advanced automotive technologies, which will ensure an important industry in our state will continue to thrive.” Castile said Alabama-based Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is designing the new training center to be expandable and easy to reconfigure to meet future demands. GMC is familiar with the Robotics Park site, having worked on the three existing training buildings there. Castile believes the center will become a catalyst for auto industry growth in the state. “Alabama’s status is really growing in the automotive industry, and workforce will be a key component as we try to keep up with and even get ahead of what’s going on in the industry. Everything we can come up with that supports the development of our workforce is a step forward,” he said. “I’m confident this is going to be a huge step for us.” A version of this story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.
Tech company Stella Source plans to add 50 jobs at Birmingham HQ
Stella Source, a software development company whose products help those in the metal distribution and fabrication industry operate more efficiently, announced plans to expand its presence in Birmingham with 50 new full-time employees, more than double its current headcount in the Magic City. To accommodate growth, Stella Source plans to relocate from Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, where it has 21 workers, to space in the nearby Nextec Building. The company plans to expand its software, research, design, finance, and sales staff at the location. As part of the project, Stella Source will establish its headquarters in Birmingham. “We are incredibly proud to build Stella Source here in Alabama and are excited to make Birmingham our official headquarters,” said Sean Hughes, company president. “The collision of the metals and technology industries unique to this area create the acceleration, commitment, and like-minded company that we need to succeed,” Hughes said. Stella Source is revolutionizing the way metal distributors and fabricators do business by providing a digital extension of its current relationships. The platform unites buyers and sellers of materials and services for accurate estimating and sourcing. Moreover, customers can gain additional efficiencies through capabilities like instant pricing for materials and configurable calculators that automate the quoting of fabrication services. “Stella Source represents the kind of innovative technology company that we want to grow and thrive in Alabama,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Stella Source and other companies are finding all the ingredients they need for success in Birmingham’s emerging tech ecosystem, which is growing more dynamic by the day.” Stella Source’s growth plans in Birmingham call for the creation of 50 net new jobs over a three-year period, with an average annual salary of $90,000, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. Catalyst for growth Stella Source, established in 2023, selected Birmingham for the expansion project over Cincinnati, Ohio, where it has another corporate office. “The successful implementation and adoption of technology is the next critical horizon for the metals industry,” said Wes Spencer, vice president of product and sales. “We are excited about Stella Source’s commitment to deliver innovative and valuable capabilities that will enhance the health of the metals industry overall, while also serving those looking for a low-risk, easy way to start small on their technology journey,” Spencer said. The Birmingham Business Alliance, which was heavily involved in all aspects of the project, estimates the economic impact of Stella Source’s growth plans at $8.5 million over 20 years. Other partners supporting the project include the city of Birmingham, the Jefferson County Commission, Alabama Power, and AIDT, Alabama’s primary workforce development agency, which will provide services to Stella Source. “It is great to see innovative technology companies not only expanding, but deciding to call our community home,” said Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “The technology sector in our community is growing at a rapid pace and provides the type of jobs that the next generation is looking for. The county is proud to support this expansion and new corporate headquarters,” Stephens said. Stella Source will join Tquila Automation in the Nextec Building, the former Edwards Motor Co. building at 1531 Third Ave. N., which has been rehabilitated as a centerpiece of the city’s innovation district, called The Switch. Tquila, an automation consultancy, announced plans in May to locate a regional delivery hub with 200 jobs in Birmingham. Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity at the city of Birmingham, said Stella Source’s growth plans represent “a momentous milestone in our city’s journey to becoming a prominent center for groundbreaking technology enterprises. “With our robust pool of talented professionals and a thriving culture of collaboration, Stella Source’s choice to establish roots in Birmingham is a testament to the dynamic and flourishing tech ecosystem we have cultivated,” Wesley said. “We eagerly anticipate the endless possibilities and progress that this expansion will bestow upon our community, propelling us even further into a prosperous future.” This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Personnel Update: Commerce Sec. Greg Canfield to retire, Kay Ivey appoints Ellen McNair
On Friday, Governor Kay Ivey announced that Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield will step down after 12 Years of Service. Ivey announced that she will appoint economic developer Ellen McNair to take over next year. Canfield will stay on until the end of the year. “Throughout my time as governor, we have proudly solidified Alabama as a top state for doing business, and no doubt, Greg has been a key part of that success,” Ivey said. “Together, we have secured more than $42 billion in new investments in our state, which has created 78,000 good-paying jobs,” said Governor Ivey. “Greg will go down as one of Alabama’s best economic development heads, and he will be noted for projects like Mazda Toyota and credited for branding the Made in Alabama name worldwide. I will forever be grateful for all that Greg has accomplished for our state, and I know he will continue having great success in his career.” Previously, Canfield served in the Alabama House of Representatives. In both his role at Commerce and in the Legislature, Canfield has been a champion for pro-business legislation. In this past legislative session, he helped Gov. Ivey pass Alabama’s economic incentive package, “The Game Plan.” Ivey says this legislation will help the state continue attracting businesses and industry and support existing companies for years to come. After a long career in the private sector, Secretary Canfield took the helm of the Alabama Development Office in 2011 and reorganized the department into the Department of Commerce. During his tenure, Alabama launched its first-ever strategic economic development plan: Accelerate Alabama. The state has established new records in international exports, capital investment, and job creation. Secretary Canfield represented Alabama on business and trade missions to 30 countries across the globe and is credited for launching Commerce’s successful rural development strategy. “I am proud to have been a part of Governor Ivey’s cabinet, and I am proud of the team of professionals we have assembled at Commerce. I am more confident than ever that Alabama is poised for a robust era of economic expansion that will transform the trajectories of communities and families across the state,” said Secretary Canfield. “I am honored to have made a contribution to the effort to improve Alabama’s future, and I know that the momentum we’ve built will continue to grow in the capable hands of Ellen McNair.” McNair will take over the Commerce Department on January 1. McNair is currently chief economic development officer with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Throughout McNair’s tenure at the Chamber, she has successfully worked on almost 600 national and international projects with a capital investment of over $8 billion, resulting in nearly 30,000 new jobs for the Montgomery community. “I have known Ellen since my days at the Alabama Development Office, and I know she will be of tremendous value to the state of Alabama,” Ivey said. “She sees past just the investment and jobs numbers and knows that these results are changing the lives of Alabama families. Ellen has partnered with Greg and I to bring growth to the Montgomery area, and I am confident we will see success like that all over the state.” McNair was the senior project manager and a member of the negotiating team that brought Hyundai Motors Corporation to Montgomery. Former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange and current Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed described McNair as a “smooth bulldog” and “tenacious.” “I am extremely honored to have been selected by Governor Kay Ivey for this very important role,” McNair said. “Economic development has been a passion and focus for the governor her entire career. The success of the state under Governor Ivey’s and Secretary Canfield’s leadership is unprecedented. These will certainly be big shoes to fill.” “I have great respect for Secretary Canfield and the Commerce team, and we will work together for a smooth transition,” McNair continued. “The state of Alabama is blessed with many strong local and regional economic development professionals, and I look forward to working closely with them and the entire state team to continue Alabama’s smart and strategic economic development.” Before working with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, McNair worked for the Alabama Department of Commerce. McNair first entered the economic development sector after graduate school in the Department of Economics at Auburn University. At that time, Governor Ivey served as assistant director of the Alabama Development Office, now known as the Department of Commerce. McNair comes to lead the Department of Commerce with 40 years of economic development experience and a handful of firsts. On top of being the first female project manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce, she was the first woman Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in Alabama and one of a handful of economic development professionals in Alabama with this designation. She was also the first woman president of the Economic Development Association of Alabama and the first woman to lead a major metro area’s economic development effort in the state. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama-assembled United Launch Alliance rocket powers first Amazon satellites into orbit
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with deep Alabama roots lifted off from Cape Canaveral days ago on a milestone mission that sets the stage for ULA rockets to deploy satellites for an ambitious Amazon broad network. The Atlas V 501 rocket blasting off last Friday launched the Protoflight mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a low-Earth-orbit satellite network that will provide fast, affordable internet service to under-resourced communities around the world. ULA’s factory in Decatur played a key role in the successful mission, which delivered two satellites to orbit 311 miles above Earth. Workers at the Alabama facility handled final assembly of the Atlas V and fabricated its booster, as well as producing the rocket’s Centaur second stage. Partner Beyond Gravity, on the ULA campus, fabricated the 5-meter payload fairing that encased the satellites as the rocket’s nose cone. “This initial launch is the first step in support of deployment of Amazon’s initiative to provide fast, affordable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. The Protoflight launch represented the first mission in a broad commercial partnership between ULA and Amazon to launch the majority of the Project Kuiper constellation — and means a lot of activity at the ULA factory in Decatur. Amazon plans to deploy more than 3,200 Kuiper satellites over more than 80 missions, with ULA rockets booked for more than half of those missions. ULA’s next-generation Vulcan rocket — also assembled in Decatur — will be the workhorse on the Kuiper missions. In fact, ULA’s next planned launch is the inaugural Vulcan mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To boost production, both ULA and Beyond Gravity are expanding in Decatur, through projects involving a combined $350 million in new investment and 200 new jobs. Powering the new Vulcan rocket will be Blue Origin’s BE-4 rockets, produced at the space flight company’s factory in Huntsville. Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said these developments point to the growth taking place in the space segment of the state’s aerospace industry. “Alabama has long been a major player in designing and manufacturing the most innovative, complex solutions to conquer skies and space, and we are continuing to influence the direction of the global industry today,” Canfield said. “Companies around the world know our workforce has proven itself, time and time again, and that’s why they keep turning to Alabama to help solve the industry’s biggest challenges through groundbreaking work,” he said. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.
CFD Research launches growth project at Test Center in Jackson County, Alabama
CFD Research Corp. has formally kicked off a construction project to add a new facility at its Engineering Test Center in Jackson County that will allow it to expand activities at its growing site located in Hollywood. Huntsville-based CFD Research said the new 19,000-square-foot building will support work for ongoing contracts with the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex, and other customers. The building will provide more than 28 additional offices, a second-high bay, a larger conference room space, and closed areas for classified meetings. The facility will expand the team’s capability to provide services, perform technology development, and enable increased test capacity. “CFD Research specializes in delivering next-level technologies, services, and products that keep us all safe, and this expansion project at its Hollywood site will help the company achieve new milestones in that critical mission,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield speaks to CFD Research Chief Executive Sameer Singhal at an event to kick off a project to add a new facility at the company’s Engineering Test Center in Jackson County. (CFD Research) Joining Canfield at a groundbreaking were U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, state Sen. Steve Livingston, Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy, and Nathan Lee, president of the Jackson County Economic Development Authority. “Thank you to the town of Hollywood and Jackson County for welcoming us so graciously and celebrating this groundbreaking event, and thank you to the Alabama Department of Commerce for its support,” said Sameer Singhal, president and CEO of CFD Research. “The location and proximity to our other facilities have been an ideal solution and will enable us to work more efficiently and economically.” In August 2021, CFD Research opened its 13,125-square-foot test and evaluation facility on 10.4 acres in Jackson County Industrial Park in Hollywood. In November 2022, CFD Research added 63 acres and an additional test stand four times larger than the company’s previous capability to expand its manufacturing, system integration, and test and evaluation services. CFD Research had four employees at the Testing Center when it opened. It now has 22 employees there and expects to surpass 40 employees in the near future. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
CFD Research expands their facility in Hollywood, Alabama
Last week, CFD Research Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony for an additional facility at its Engineering Test Center in Hollywood, Alabama. The company said that the new 19,000-square-foot building will support work for ongoing contracts with the Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), and other customers. Sameer Singhal is the President and CEO of CFD Research. “Thank you to the town of Hollywood and Jackson County for welcoming us so graciously and celebrating this groundbreaking event, and thank you to the Alabama Department of Commerce for its support,” said President Singhal. The location and proximity to our other facilities has been an ideal solution and will enable us to work more efficiently and economically.” Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “CFD Research has grown exponentially in two years.” “The company offers highly-skilled career opportunities in manufacturing, system integration, and test and evaluation services,” Jones said. “CFD Research’s 19,000 square foot facility in Jackson County further enhances north Alabama’s role in supporting the Department of Defense and national security.” Greg Canfield is the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “CFD Research specializes in delivering next-level technologies, services, and products that keep us all safe, and this expansion project at its Hollywood site will help the company achieve new milestones in that critical mission,” said Secretary Canfield. The building will provide more than 28 additional offices, a second-high bay, larger conference room space, and closed areas for classified meetings. This facility will expand the team’s capability to provide services, perform technology development, and enable increased test capacity. In August 2021, CFD Research opened its 13,125-square-foot test and evaluation facility on 10.4 acres in Jackson County Industrial Park in Hollywood, AL. In November of 2022, CFD Research added another 63 acres of property to the facility and an additional test stand that is four times larger than CFD Research’s previous capability to expand the company’s manufacturing, system integration, and test and evaluation services. CFD Research started with just four employees at the Testing Center when it opened in 2021. It has grown to 22 employees presently. CFB anticipates surpassing over 40 employees in the near future. US Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL05) headlined the ceremony. “It was a pleasure visiting Jackson County this week,” Rep. Strong said. “I started the day celebrating CFD Research’s expansion at the industrial park in Hollywood.” State Senator Steve Livingston, Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy, and Nathan Lee, President of the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, were also in attendance. CFD Research Corporation specializes in engineering simulations, advanced prototypes, and innovative designs for aerospace, defense, life sciences, materials, energy, and other industries. CFD Research uses its software and experimental capabilities to develop new hardware concepts, innovative designs, and superior solutions for its customers with lower risk, reduced costs, and less time. CFD Research has grown steadily and profitably every year since its inception in 1987. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Trendco investing $43 million in Macon County
On Thursday, Trendco USA announced plans to invest $43 million to launch a nitrile medical glove manufacturing operation in the new Regional East Alabama Logistics (REAL) Park in Macon County. The company plans to create 292 jobs over five years at its new facility. South Carolina-based Trendco also considered sites in Georgia and the Carolinas for the project. Darryl Hunter is the CEO of Trendco USA. “We are very excited about our move to Alabama and look forward to building our PPE manufacturing facility in Tuskegee,” said Hunter. “We believe the people of Tuskegee and the surrounding communities will play a vital role in our success in the medical technology sector.” Trendco is an early-stage company that has been producing medical-grade examination gloves in Louisiana through a partnership with another company. The company plans up to install as many as 10 glove production lines at the REAL Park location in Tuskegee. Once these lines are established, the company plans to expand production into masks and gowns, ensuring a reliable domestic source for these important PPE items to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. The recent COVID-19 global pandemic and the global shortages in PPE that resulted “Trendco decided to locate its manufacturing facility in Tuskegee after considering many locations in other states, and I know that the company made the right choice by selecting Macon County for its investment project,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “I look forward to seeing the company grow and thrive in Sweet Home Alabama.” Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “When a company grows rapidly and needs to choose a new location to manufacture its product or provide services, having a building ‘ready’ is a tremendous advantage in the site selection process because it reduces or eliminates many of the unknowns associated with construction timelines. The initial 168,000 square foot, Class A warehouse, and manufacturing spec building (Building 100), part of a multi-phase project, helped make the site selection process more efficient. Trendco has signed an agreement to lease over 100,000 square feet of space in Building 100 in REAL Park. There the company will initially set up a distribution operation as it ramps up its new glove manufacturing lines. Trendco is seen as a catalyst project for the new 700-acre Class A industrial park located off Exit 42 on I-85. “REAL Park, located near the interstate, has a capacity to eventually expand into 6 million square feet. As qualified companies such as Trendco USA lease within the park, the long-term economic benefits for Macon County and our entire state will be profound,” Jones explained. Justin Patwin is a principal at Farpoint Development – the master developer leading the project. “REAL Park will eventually offer a combined 6.2 million square feet of space when the project’s three phases are completed in five to seven years,” Patwin said. “We and our partners at OPAL are very excited to welcome Trendco to REAL Park. They are making a significant commitment to Macon County and the State of Alabama to bring many new jobs to the community — we feel this is an incredible start to the overall economic impact REAL Park will have in the region.” Alex Flachsbart is the founder and CEO of Opportunity Alabama (OPAL) and the principal of the Opal Fund – the lead investor in Building 100. “We created The OPAL Fund to invest in catalytic projects that could produce compelling returns for both investors and communities across Alabama, and Building 100 is the perfect example of that thesis in action,” explained CEO Flachsbart. Greg Canfield is the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The park is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the growth of the I-85 corridor, and I believe other companies will be putting down roots there in the near future,” Canfield said. “We believe the people of Tuskegee and the surrounding communities will play a vital role in our success in the medical technology sector.” The Macon County Commission, Macon County Economic Development Authority, and other local institutions are supporting the Trendco project with utility upgrades and industrial access roads at the site worth $1.1 million, and other in-kind services. Joe Turnham is the director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority. “Trendco USA also chose our community, in part because of our community’s rich history and our local stakeholders’ spirit of enthusiastic partnership in assuring their company’s success,” Turnham said. AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency, is also providing services to advance the project. Brenda Tuck is the Rural Development Manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We’re committed to seeing rural Alabama fully realize its growth potential, and this project headed to Tuskegee is another illustration of how we’re making progress on that front,” Tuck said. “Opportunities are flourishing in the state’s rural communities, and the business world is paying attention.” “Trendco USA is the only minority-owned medical glove and PPE manufacturer in America and is one of the few companies offering ‘Made in the USA’ medical glove products,” Turnham said. “Now, these gloves will also carry a ‘Made in Tuskegee’ label.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Trendco to build $43 million facility in Tuskegee, creating 292 jobs
A medical equipment manufacturing company plans to invest $43 million in a plant in Alabama to produce nitrile medical gloves, Gov. Kay Ivey said Wednesday. Trendco USA, based in Columbia, South Carolina, has committed to creating 292 new jobs over the next five years at the facility in Tuskegee in the new Regional East Alabama Logistics Park off Interstate 85 in Macon County, she said. “After considering many locations in other states, Trendco decided to locate its manufacturing facility in Tuskegee, and I am confident the company made the right choice for its investment project,” Ivey said. Trendco produces medical-grade examination gloves in Louisiana through a partnership with another company and plans to install as many as 10 glove production lines at the Tuskegee location. Eventually, production will include masks and gowns. The company will lease more than 100,000 square feet of space at the industrial park, where it will set up a distribution operation as it prepares to launch glove production. “We believe the people of Tuskegee and the surrounding communities will play a vital role in our success in the medical technology sector,” said CEO Darryl Hunter. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the project, and the park, will “capitalize on the growth of the I-85 corridor, and I believe other companies will be putting down roots there in the near future.” The Macon County Commission, Macon County Economic Development Authority, and other local institutions are supporting the project with utility upgrades and an industrial access road at the site worth $1.1 million, and other in-kind services. AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency, is also providing services. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama wins Silver Shovel Award for 2022 economic development successes
Last week the State of Alabama was awarded a Silver Shovel Award. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced that Area Development, a national business publication, has selected Alabama for its Silver Shovel Award. This is in recognition of the state’s economic development successes during 2022. “The Silver Shovel Award is yet another testament to Alabama’s strong pro-business environment and to the talented workers that help companies from around the world grow and thrive,” said Gov. Ivey. “This honor also demonstrates that our efforts to create good jobs and spark economic growth are producing results in Sweet Home Alabama.” 👏: Once again, Alabama has claimed a Silver Shovel Award from @AreaDevelopment for our 2022 economic success. Just last year, companies made $10.1 billion in capital investment in Alabama, shattering our previous record! ⬇️ #alpolitics (1/2) — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) June 7, 2023 Area Development also cited Atlanta-based Novelis’s plan to invest more than $2.5 billion to build a new low-carbon recycling and rolling plant in Baldwin County as one of its ‘Projects of the Year.’ The project in Bay Minette is expected to create 1,000 jobs. Economic Developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “Area Development Magazine has been a leading publication in our industry for over five decades. The selection of Alabama for a Silver Shovel Award is a testament to teamwork; the public and private sectors have collaborated and created an environment conducive to business. Since being elevated to the Governor’s office in 2017 after then-Gov. Robert Bentley’s resignation, Ivey has put a strong emphasis on economic development and competing for new capital investment. Since becoming Governor, Ivey has announced new capital projects of $41 billion, creating 80,000 new jobs for Alabamians and creating the lowest unemployment numbers in the history of the state along the way. Ivey’s economic development team is led by Greg Canfield – who is the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Last year was a remarkable one for Alabama’s economic development team,” said Sec. Canfield. “Not only did these professionals secure high-impact growth projects for the state during 2022, but they also managed to set records while doing it. Their efforts are creating exciting new career opportunities for Alabama citizens and enhanced growth possibilities for communities across the state,” he added. “And we’re not slowing down.” In 2022 the state compiled $10.1 billion in announcements of companies building or expanding facilities in the state. This shattered the old record of $8.1 billion set in 2018. The Silver Shovel Award recognized these record results for Alabama’s economic development team. This $10.1 billion in capital investment last year will create over 13,000 jobs across Alabama and stimulate economic growth in both urban and rural areas of the state. “Companies consider many factors in the site selection process, such as a quality and skilled workforce, infrastructure, pro-business policies, community-oriented towns, and school systems, and the proximity to customers and vendors,” Jones explained. “An estimated 13,000 new jobs will result from new facilities and the expansion of existing sites throughout Alabama.” Area Development magazine’s annual Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes, and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities. The awards are presented annually to states that have achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact. Factors that go into this calculation include the number of high-valued added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities, and industry diversity of the submitted projects. Alabama qualified for a Silver Shovel award in the 4- to 6-million population category. Other winners in the category were South Carolina and Wisconsin. 2022 was marked nationally with large-scale projects related to electric vehicles. Area Development singled out two projects in Alabama: Hyundai’s $300 million investment to launch EV production at its Montgomery plant and Hyundai Mobis’ $205 million battery module plant nearby. Area Development also highlighted growth plans in Alabama by Airbus, First Solar, United Launch Alliance, Manna Beverages & Ventures, and Diego. This is far from the first time the magazine has honored Alabama with Shovel Awards. It received Gold Shovel Awards in 2006, 2013, 2019, and 2021, and Silver Shovel Awards for 2007–2012, 2014–2018, and now in 2022. Last September, Area Development reported that Alabama ranked Number 6 in its annual “Best States for Doing Business” survey, containing a sustained run for the state in that list’s Top 10. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
