WKRG.com » News Stream » Mobilesmakeover »

Alabama’s Big Business

By The Associated Press

In 2007, Alabama saw $6 billion dollars worth of economic deals, what's in store for 2008? Alabama’s Big Business

Published: Mon, December 24, 2007 - 2:17 pm

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Industrial prizes valued at more than $6
billion were announced in Alabama this year, a record mark that's
expected to grow as the state works with prospects that could bring
more than 17,500 jobs in 2008.
Data from the Alabama Development Office showed there were 271
new projects or expansions as of last week. The state is also
working with 76 prospects, including 44 with at least 100 jobs
each.
ADO director Neal Wade said the agency has a global marketing
strategy in place and plans to aggressively promote Alabama's
economic development scene in international and domestic markets.
Industrial investments for 2007 surpasses the previous
investment record of $4.7 billion set in 2005. The only other year
the state cracked the $4 billion mark was 1981.
German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp placed Number 1 in investment and
jobs among individual projects announced this year while rail car
manufacturer National Alabama Corporation came in second place.
Other 2007 highlights include Korean automotive projects
scattered across east Alabama that will supply a Kia assembly plant
under construction in West Point, Georgia. Another major investment
is AlphaPet's new $160 million resin-producing facility in Decatur.
---
Information From: The Birmingham News

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)