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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Georgia-Pacific plans $100 million Alabama lumber production facility
Georgia-Pacific announced today plans to construct a $100 million lumber production facility in Talladega that will employ more than 100 full-time employees and generate an annual payroll estimated at $5 million.
Construction on the technologically advanced, 300,000-square-foot plant is scheduled to begin immediately, with an anticipated startup in late 2018.
"The availability of talent and natural resources make Talladega an ideal site for this new lumber production facility," said Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager, Georgia-Pacific Lumber.
Little Canoe Creek on track for AdvantageSite certification
By Benjamin Nunnally / Times Staff Writer
Sep 12, 2017
The Etowah County Commission's initial meeting with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama about AdvantageSite status for the Little Canoe Creek megasite was a positive one, according to Chairman Tim Choate.
"We had a very productive meeting," said Choate, during the commission's Tuesday work session. "They've sent their paperwork to me via email to sign and send back to them so they can proceed with their portion down there. They said they hoped we would have a Christmas present."
Choate was part of a delegation that also included Commissioner Jeff Overstreet, economic development consultant Tucson Roberts, and David Parker and Burt Hankins of development firm Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, which met with EDPA representatives in Birmingham on Sept. 6 to determine the megasite's readiness for AdvantageSite certification.
Birmingham-Southern College to reduce tuition price by 50 percent
Birmingham-Southern College is reducing its tuition and mandatory fees by more than 50 percent starting in fall 2018, the college announced on Tuesday.
"The marketplace spoke, and we listened," BSC President Linda Flaherty-Goldsmith said in a prepared statement. "Students and families are telling colleges all across the United States--and they're telling us--that encountering a high published price is a real barrier to a high-quality education. We want to make sure that the best and brightest students have access to the kind of personalized, challenging, hands-on educational experience that BSC provides."
BSC is resetting tuition back to what is was more than 15 years ago, officials said. Tuition for the 2017-18 academic year was $35,840. Beginning next year, tuition will be $17,650.