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
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Ernst & Young: Alabama ranks in Top 5 for investment
By Made in Alabama
August 19, 2016
Alabama Unemployment Rate Lowest Since 2008
Governor Robert Bentley on Friday announced that Alabama's preliminary, seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate is 5.7%, down from June's rate of 6.0%, and below July 2015's rate of 6.1%. July's rate represents 123,095 unemployed persons, compared to 130,298 in June and 130,098 in July 2015.
"We continue to see decreases in Alabama's unemployment rate, and increases in both of our employment measures over the year, which is a testament to the strong economic development efforts we have prioritized," Governor Robert Bentley said. "We haven't seen an unemployment rate this low in eight years. Not only did the rate decrease since last month, there are also nearly 28,000 more people working this year than there were last year."
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Birmingham metal manufacturer expands
Birmingham manufacturer P&R Metals recently completed a $700,000 expansion to its operation at 4017
Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., and the company expects huge returns from the investment.
After adding an 8,000-square-foot building and a 20,000-square-foot paved area, the company estimates annual sales to increase by more than $10 million. The company, which makes industrial flooring materials, has operated in Birmingham since 1999.
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ConventionSouth magazine ranks Mobile high as a Hot Spot
August 17, 2016
Mobile is a certified "Hot Spot," and not just because of the high summer temperatures.
The July issue of ConventionSouth ranked Alabama's Port City at No. 2 on its "Winter Hot Spots" list. It's a recognition that doesn't surprise Al Hutchinson, CEO of Visit Mobile.
"I think they recognize that this is a community of growth," he said. "We have had half a dozen new restaurants open this past year in downtown mobile, and a new GulfQuest National Maritime Museum that opened last September. We have a great walkable downtown area, and an influx of millennials coming back for job opportunities and what the city has to offer. This award is huge for us because it says Mobile is a place where you want to be as a visitor and as a conventioneer."
Want a job at Mercedes-Benz? Company seeking applicants for apprenticeship programs
Mercedes-Benz is seeking applicants for its apprenticeship programs in Tuscaloosa.
The programs start in January and involve a combination of training at Shelton State Community College and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance. Top performers in the programs are given jobs in production at MBUSI.
MBUSI partners with Alabama Industrial Development Training on the program and subsidizes the cost of attendance for the student, the amount increasing each term if the student maintains a grade point average above 3.0.
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LIMITED SEATING: Register for the 6th Annual Alabama Innovation & Entrepreneurship Conference!
Tuesday, August 30th
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
BJCC East Ballroom, Birmingham
DON'T MISS OUT ON HEARING KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANDREW YANG, FOUNDER and CEO, VENTURE FOR AMERICA (VFA).
VFA places the best and brightest recent college graduates at startups in emerging cities (including Birmingham) to help build businesses, create jobs, and make an impact.