Alabama is continually climbing the ranks of economic development with new initiatives to further strengthen the state’s workforce and innovation
environment. Catalyst, a bold new economic development plan, is paving the way to take the state into the 2030s. The Yellowhammer State remains a top hub for auto manufacturing and has attracted more than $5 billion in new capital investment and over 8,500 jobs in the past few years, from global companies like Toyota and Hyundai. It also recently opened a cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) workforce training center near Decatur, while Huntsville continues to grow as a top location for space and aviation programs. Down on the Gulf Coast, the Port of Mobile continues to grow, generating $100 billion and supporting more than 350,000 jobs, one out of every seven in the state.
Growing Alabama Credit: Offers a source of funds for site preparation and public infrastructure to address the needs of existing industrial sites and other qualifying activities. Approved projects are funded when taxpayers make contributions to approved economic development organizations.
Jobs Credit: Offers an annual cash rebate of up to 3% of the previous year’s gross payroll for net new, direct jobs for qualifying projects. Incentive period is up to 10 years.
AIDT Workforce Development Services: AIDT, Alabama’s primary workforce development agency, offers services including pre-employment screening and training.
Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy
(SEEDS): SEEDS allows the State Industrial Development Authority to award grants to local economic development organizations for site assessments, acquisitions and site development.
Alabama Department of Commerce Business Development Division madeinalabama.com/business-development
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
edpa.org
Amazing Alabama
amazingalabama.com
Economic Development Association of Alabama
edaa.org
Birmingham Business Alliance
birminghambusinessalliance.com
Catalyst, a new comprehensive economic development program developed in 2024, replaces the state’s previous framework, Accelerate Alabama, which drove $67 billion in capital investment and nearly 170,000 job commitments since its adoption in 2012. The next-generation strategic plan incorporates a broad focus, expanding beyond traditional recruitment tactics to elevate human capital, facilitate entrepreneurship, attract new talent and promote rural development.
Two Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.