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Navy orders another ship from Austal USA in Mobile
By WSFA 12 News Staff
October 9th 2017
MOBILE, AL (WSFA) -Alabama's coast got some good economic news Monday after Austal USA announced it will build yet another Littoral Combat Ship for the U.S. Navy.
The ship will be the 15th in its class ordered by the Navy to be built by Austal at its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Mobile where more than 4,000 people are employed.
"When Alabama's businesses succeed, Alabamians succeed," Gov. Kay Ivey said after the announcement. "Austal USA is a 21st-Century, technology-driven, employer which provides good wages and good opportunities for its employees. Austal is critical to our state's high-tech military and aerospace manufacturing sector."
In a push to be "a leader in the automotive industry," Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that Alabama will be the first state to roll out nationally recognized manufacturing credentials at every community college.
"We are once again proving Alabama is a leader in the automotive industry by offering these credentials in all of our two-year colleges," Governor Ivey said. "It's only fitting that this announcement comes on Manufacturing Day. Alabama is committed to providing a 21st Century workforce that is prepared for 21st Century manufacturing like that found in this growing auto industry."
Alabama has been consistently gaining national recognition in the automotive industry. The new community college requirements will further that recognition through Alabama's partnership with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC). A federally recognized training and certification system, the MSSC focuses on skills and knowledge needed by manufacturers in today's workplace.
Auburn University awarded funding through economic development competition
Student and community entrepreneurs and incubators will receive financial support over the next five years thanks to a University Center grant.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded Auburn University $118,000 under the U.S. Economic Development Administration's, or EDA, 2017 University Center Economic Development Program Competition.
EDA is providing a total of $2.7 million in grants to 22 colleges and universities in 16 states to run programs that will leverage university assets to promote American innovation and strengthen regional economies.