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CEO Guide to Site Selection

Alabama

MANUFACTURING A BRIGHT FUTURE

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.

“We must have an economic development strategy that prepares Alabama for the 2030s today…. New technologies are revolutionizing every aspect of the business world, and it’s vitally important that we’re ready for these fast-paced changes so we can remain competitive for projects that create good jobs and inject vitality into communities. Catalyst will keep us energized and in the game as the future brings new challenges.”
Kay Ivey
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

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.

EDCs

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

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

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.

BIG DEALS

  • Hyundai announced in August 2023 plans to invest $290 million in upgrades at its Montgomery assembly plant.
  • German high-end appliance maker Miele selected Opelika for its first U.S. manufacturing hub. The $393 million project will ultimately create 837 jobs.
  • Meta Platforms announced in May 2024 it will open an $800 million, AI-optimized data center in Montgomery.
  • Toyota announced in June 2024 a $282 million expansion and 350 new jobs at its Huntsville engine factory.
  • Austal USA announced in July 2024 a $288 million expansion and 1,032 new jobs at its shipyard in Mobile.
  • ILJIN, an automotive and industrial bearings and chassis manufacturer, announced in September 2024 a $100 million investment and 160 new jobs in Auburn.

BIG COMPANIES

Two Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:

  • Regions Financial (Fortune 500 headquarters)
  • Vulcan Materials (Fortune 500 headquarters)
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

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:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.