Rural Alabama. Known Throughout the World.

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.

Read More


Rural Economic
Development

$5.8

Billion

New Capital Investment

7,100

New and Future
Jobs Created

*Based on 2020-2023 data.

Rural News

Advanced engineering firm IS4S plans growth project in Marion County

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair announced today that Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc. (IS4S), a small business specializing in advanced engineering and management solutions, plans to invest $2.1 million to establish a new Research and Development (R&D) center in rural Marion County. The project will create 13 high-paying full-time engineering positions over the…

Read More

Enterprise receives $5.7 million SEEDS grant to develop industry-ready sites

ENTERPRISE, Alabama — Today, officials in Coffee County celebrated a $5.7 million grant through Alabama’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program that will enable the purchase of nearly 300 acres to expand and develop industry-ready sites at the Enterprise Commerce Park. Enterprise received the largest SEEDS grant approved by the State Industrial Development…

Read More

Governor Ivey receives new economic strategic plan to energize Alabama’s long-term growth

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey today announced she has received a forward-thinking economic strategic plan presented by Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. Designed to guide the state’s growth through the next decade and beyond, the plan cements Alabama’s status as a leader in economic development. This comprehensive plan — called Catalyst — replaces the state’s…

Read More

Resources

All the tools you need, all right here

Economic developers, rejoice. Quick access to our rural industry directory, workforce resources, and annual report data is all right here. Coming soon: Additional resources by project category.

View Resources