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Governor Kay Ivey recently signed Senate Bill 177, marking a significant update to Alabama’s Entertainment Industry Incentive Act of 2009. This updated law expands the scope of eligibility to include music productions, in addition to film and television—an important expansion recognizing the broader creative economy.
Within this bill, $2 million is allocated and reserved exclusively for music album productions. This is especially exciting for the Shoals region as the State's new bill will align with our ongoing Shoals Music Makers Incentive program.
At the ceremonial bill signing in Montgomery, representatives from both the film and music communities were present—including figures from Muscle Shoals’ Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and the Shoals EDA —highlighting the cultural and economic significance of this landmark legislation.
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Shoals Music Archive Launches at UNA, Serves as 'Vital Bridge' in Connecting the Shoals' Rich Musical Heritage | The Shoals Music Archive at the University of North Alabama has officially launched, and organizers, along with local musicians and those in the music industry, say this initiative will create a new and revitalized way to interact with the region's already rich and varied music heritage, both past and present. | | | | | | |
✨ It’s that time of year again—back-to-school season is here! ✨
As classrooms come alive with fresh energy, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the incredible things happening across our local schools. From innovative programs to inspiring student achievements, The Shoals is home to some of the very best in education.
đź“šđź‘Ź Join us in celebrating the future leaders of The Shoals!
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Enrollment Growth Continues at UNA for Fall 2025 | With the Fall 2025 semester just one week in, officials at the University of North Alabama are already seeing indicators of how final enrollment will look - and the preliminary numbers are positive. With additional reports being shared daily, the University has already exceeded the 10,000 mark and is on track to exceed last year's record. | | | |  |
11 Shoals schools receive TVA STEM grants | FLORENCE - Eleven Shoals public and private schools will share a portion of $665,000 in STEM grants provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority and Bicentennial Volunteers. | | | | |
UNA Celebrates Topping Out of Bank Independent Stadium | The University of North Alabama, along with representatives from Birmingham-based program management firm HPM, announced today the topping out of Bank Independent Stadium at UNA, and event that signifies the placement of the final structural beam. | | | | |
Florence City Schools awarded PAYA Development Grant for career tech programs | WASHINGTON, D.C. — In early August, New America announced that the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) awarded a Development Grant to Florence City Schools (FCS). | | | | |
Campers try out career opportunities | CENTER STAR - Lauderdale County Schools fifth and sixth graders had the chance this week to get hands-on career tech experience. | | | | |
Colbert schools receive $10M grant for career tech education | TUSCUMBIA - A $10 million grant from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) will fund the development of a career tech center. | | | | |
ACAP reading scores from 5 Shoals school districts are above state average | MONTGOMERY - Reading results from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program show that most Shoals-area third graders scored above the state average on the 2024-25 test. | | | | |
Lauderdale County Schools, Alabama | An exciting morning welcoming State Superintendent Dr. Mackey for a tour of the Innovation Center! We had a great turn out of state and local officials, district employees, board members, and project... | | | | |
Muscle Shoals City Schools | Thank you, Dr. Richard Templeton, for advocating on behalf of students across Alabama and the nation. In meeting with federal officials, Dr. Templeton elevated critical issues impacting education,... | | | | |
NWSCC signs 23 students in 2025-2026 FAME class | Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) hosted a Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) Signing Day last Thursday (6/12) in the Patriot Center (gym) on the Shoals Campus as 23 students were sponsored by 11 local companies. | | | | |
Webster Elementary School | 🎉 We are excited to share that Webster has been selected as a 2025-2026 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Be Healthy School! 🌟 This is an incredible honor, as only 22 schools across the entire... | | | | |
NWSCC Barbering student wins gold medal at SkillsUSA National Championships | Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) students proved they are among the nation's elite as Byron Cotoc-Perez, of Florence, won the gold medal and Olivia Hill, of Savannah, Tenn., placed fourth in the national SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta. | | | | |
Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House | American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Rosenbaum House, one of his first Usonian homes, in Florence, Alabama. | | | | |
The Rolling Stones | Where were you when you first heard Wild Horses - and how did it make you feel? Here's the Stones hearing the playback for the very first time at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, December '69 | |
- after an intense three-day recording session. (Captured in the Gimme Shelter documentary.)
More than fifty years later, the song still resonates with new generations - proof that some songs aren’t just written for the moment…they last forever.
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These 8 Towns In Alabama Feel Like Home | Known as the Heart of Dixie, Alabama's southern hospitality makes visitors feel like part of the family. These eight towns in Alabama feel just like home. | | | | |
Muscle Shoals Fire Department receives $600K for burn house | MUSCLE SHOALS - Former Fire Chief Tim McMullins said he could have almost cried when he learned the Fire Department was receiving $600,000 to be used to add a burn | | | | | |
Click on each company's name to see their job opportunities!
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300,000 SQFT Speculative Pad in Florence, AL
Site preparation is underway for a building pad capable of supporting a 300,000-square-foot facility in the Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park. Road, water, sewer, and natural gas infrastructure will be installed upon project completion, with all improvements expected to be completed this fall.
Site Overview:
- Supports up to 300,000 SF
- Located in an established industrial park
- Utilities and infrastructure under development
- Positioned in a strong manufacturing labor market
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250,000 SF Heavy Industrial Facility in Muscle Shoals, AL
Located on a 40-acre site, this newly completed speculative building is ideal for advanced manufacturing operations that require heavy industrial zoning, transportation access, and room for future growth.
Highlights Include:
- 250,000 square feet of industrial space
- Heavy Industrial Zoning
- 40-acre site with infrastructure in place
- Proximity to a qualified manufacturing workforce
The Shoals region is renowned for its business-friendly climate and proven track record of supporting industrial employers.
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150,000 SQFT Speculative Buildingin Florence, AL
This 150,000-square-foot light industrial facility is located on a 17-acre site in an established park with excellent infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce.
Key Features:
- Light Industrial Zoning
- 17-acre site with room to expand
- Available for sale or lease
- Located in an area with a strong pipeline of skilled manufacturing labor
This building offers a turnkey opportunity for companies seeking a fast-track location in North Alabama.
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The purpose of the Shoals Manufacturers' Association (SMA) is to foster a working relationship among Shoals area manufacturers and to promote a healthy business climate, making it feasible for existing companies to expand and/or remain in the Shoals area in a working partnership with the Shoals Economic Development Authority. Shoals area companies involved in the manufacture of products and parts for profit are invited to join SMA.​
For more information, including the cost to join, visit our website. To join or for any questions, contact Rob Jones, Shoals EDA, at (256) 349-5632 or e-mail at rjones@shoalseda.com.
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The Shoals Employment Growth Program is designed to encourage full-time employment growth through a streamlined process that provides assistance to eligible applicants offering new employment opportunities for Shoals citizens. Shoals area for-profit companies that operate under certain business activities listed in the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) can be reimbursed up to $8,000 for each new qualifying full-time employee hired, up to ten new full-time employment positions per year.
Click here for more information on the Shoals Employment Growth Program or contact Rob Jones, Shoals EDA, at (256) 349-5632 or e-mail at rjones@shoalseda.com.
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SHOALS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY | www.shoalseda.com
(256)349-5632
info@shoalseda.com
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