1. ThyssenKrupp Affirms Alabama Commitment Despite Reorganization
ThyssenKrupp officials say their commitment to build TK's $4.65 billion Alabama plant is undiminished, in spite of a sweeping company reorganization. Workers for ThyssenKrupp's stainless unit are using the one-year delay in opening its part of the $4.65 billion steel complex to help install equipment and oversee construction, while erection of the larger carbon steel facilities continues at a breakneck pace.
2. Study Finds Growing Workforce in Northeast Alabama
Even as unemployment rates locally and nationwide soar, eight northeast Alabama counties have a growing work force that is commuting farther, is willing to retrain for a variety of careers if necessary, and is seeing growth in manufacturing, health care and retail, according to a presentation last week by state work force researchers.
3. Madison County Home Sales Jump 20 Percent
Sales of single-family homes in Madison County jumped nearly 20 percent in March, the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors reported Monday. The increase - from 284 homes sold in February to 340 homes sold in March - marks the second consecutive month to see an increase in sales. In January, 268 homes were sold. March sales were down 9.6 percent from the same month last year.
4. Montgomery, Mobile Named Among North American Cities of Future
The April/May edition of Foreign Direct Investment magazine named two Alabama cities in its North American Cities of the Future. Mobile was ranked number five among small cities for business cost effectiveness and Montgomery was ranked number five among small cities for its rental rates.
5. Mercedes Unveils New Alabama-built Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz today unveiled a hybrid version of its Alabama-built M-Class sport utility during the New York International Auto Show. The ML450 hybrid is powered by a battery and a V6 engine, and it can operate entirely on electric power or gas, as well as a combination of both. The vehicle achieves highway gas mileage of 24 miles per gallon and city gas mileage of 21 miles per gallon, Mercedes said.
6. UAHuntsville Attracts Visionary & Former Head of NASA
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) has named Dr. Michael Griffin, one of the world’s leading aerospace engineers, as an eminent scholar and a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. He is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on aerospace engineering and as a visionary for American space flight.
7. Hyundai’s “Cinderella” Story Featured on ABC’s Nightline
The network describes how Hyundai has become a top model and one of the few car manufacturers making a profit during the recession.
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8. UA Business Graduate Program One of Top in Princeton Review
The University of Alabama's Manderson Graduate School of Business is ranked among the top 15 business schools nationally in two of six categories surveyed by Princeton Review. In its April issue, Entrepreneur Magazine reported that UA's graduate business school was in the top 15 in its programs for accounting and marketing.
9. Alabama State Docks Faring Much Better than Other Ports
The Mobile River is buzzing with activity as ships come and go, not to mention the construction taking place at Pinto Island. Officials said these are all signs the economy hasn't completely wiped out hopes of becoming a major port city. "We're faring so much better here than other ports, competitive and non competitive," said Port Authority Director, Jimmy Lyons.
10. Huntsville Named Top City for Defense Jobs
Forbes magazine includes Huntsville among the country's top cities for defense jobs in a new ranking. Huntsville appears on the list with Washington, D.C.; Orlando; Tampa/St. Petersburg; Dallas/Forth Worth; Colorado Springs; Tucson and Phoenix, Ariz.; San Diego and Los Angeles.