There are plenty of assumptions about rural Alabama. Well, we’ve got ‘em too. We assume that everything we produce is the highest caliber, and that everyone knows it. We assume that our neighbor is working just as hard as we are. And we assume that everyone knows our neighbors: from Mercedes-Benz and Honda to Conecuh Sausage and Wickles Pickles.
First Solar inaugurates $1.1 billion Alabama manufacturing facility
TRINITY, Alabama — First Solar Inc. inaugurated its new $1.1 billion solar panel manufacturing facility in rural Lawrence County, which is expected to create over 800 new energy technology manufacturing jobs and boost the state’s profile in the green energy industry.
Rural Economic
Development
$5.8
Billion
New Capital Investment
7,100
New and Future
Jobs Created
*Based on 2020-2023 data.
Rural News
SEEDS grant elevates growth potential of Atmore Industrial Park
ATMORE, Alabama — Atmore officials say a $703,000 grant from Alabama’s new Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program will advance industrial development in the rural Escambia County city. Atmore will use the SEEDS grant to purchase land, primarily from Swift Lumber Co., that was either inside or adjacent to Atmore Industrial Park. With…
Alabama’s ag/food products sector surges with major investment projects
When the J.M. Smucker Co. celebrated the opening of a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in McCalla days ago, it marked another milestone in a long-running growth spurt that’s energizing Alabama’s key agriculture and food products sector. Since early 2021, over 50 growth projects in this sector have launched statewide, paving the way for more than…
Gov. Ivey: Rural Alabama making ‘exciting progress’ as growth builds
PRATTVILLE, Alabama — Economic momentum is accelerating in Alabama’s rural counties, with new investments and job creation reaching impressive levels in the past year, Governor Kay Ivey announced today. This progress underscores a promising outlook for the state’s rural communities. Speaking to a gathering of rural economic developers in Prattville, Governor Ivey highlighted the rollout…
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