51: Business Alabama Awards honor key individuals for exceptional work this year or throughout a lifetime. Photo by Blair Ramsey.
56: Legacy Cabinets, based in Eastaboga, was one of about a dozen Alabama firms showing their products at the International Builders’ Show and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas in February.
60: Accounting firm Kassouf teamed with law firm Dentons Sirote to help professionals catch up on changing tax and estate planning rules. LISTINGS
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On the Cover: Hayley Pritchard, program director for the vet tech program at Southern Union State Community College, with her dog Andie.
Photo by Julie Bennett.
happens Discovery
When physicians, scientists and researchers with extraordinary talent and passion are given the technology, the facilities, and the support, they achieve great things. The discoveries, innovations and clinical trials happening today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures.
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Benchmarks
Alabama exports top $26B in 2024; second-highest tally ever
The ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE announced that more than $26.8 billion of goods and services were exported in 2024, which was down slightly from the previous year but still ranks second highest for worldwide shipments from the state.
The value of 2024’s exports dropped 2% from the previous year’s total of $27.4 billion; but the 2024 total was nearly 30% higher than the figure for 2019.
Alabama exported goods to 201 countries in 2024, with the top destinations of Canada at $4.3 billion, Mexico at $4.2 billion, China at $4.1 billion, Germany at $4.1 billion and Japan at $880 million. Other leading destinations included South Korea, India, Brazil and the United Kingdom. This year, President Donald Trump has imposed stiff tariffs on trade with the state’s top three trade partners.
“From automobiles and aerospace components to chemicals and advanced manufacturing products, Alabama-made goods are reaching markets around the world, fueling economic growth at home,” said Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. “By expanding our global trade footprint, we are not only increasing opportunities for our businesses but also reinforcing Alabama’s reputation as
SEEDS FOR SITES
Gov. Kay Ivey has announced distribution of $23.5 million in Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grants. Grants, which are matched with local funds, cover site assessment, infrastructure and other earlystage projects and went to 29 sites around the state. The largest grant, $6 million, is for improvements at the Mobile Aeroplex, surrounding the Airbus plant.
FINANCIAL FIGURING
The Alabama Community College System contributes $8.1 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to a study by labor market
analysis firm Lightcast. That’s equal to about 3% of the state’s gross state product. New data shows the impact of farmers and forestry on the state is adding more than $77 billion to Alabama’s economy annually. Jimmy Parnell, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, said he wants to see more money go toward supporting agriculture industries. A report from the Poarch Creek Indians says the tribe generated more than $4 billion in economic impact across Alabama in 2023. PCI has created more than 7,400 jobs in Alabama in industries such as tourism, technology and manufacturing, the report says.
a leader in innovation and high-quality production.”
Topping last year’s exports were transportation equipment, which includes motor vehicles, auto parts, ships and aerospace products. This category totaled $13.7 billion, a drop of 8% from the previous year. Of that total, motor vehicles made up $10.7 billion, with top destinations being Germany, China, Canada, Mexico and South Korea.
Rounding out the other top exports were minerals and ores at $2.5 billion, primary metals at $2.2 billion and chemicals at $2.1 billion.
Commerce’s Office of Global Business offers resources to help Alabama companies enter new overseas markets through trade and business development missions, training, foreign-market information and international contacts.
HEALTH AT WORK
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama has opened a $14 million health care facility on the campus of its Montgomery automobile plant, offering both medical care and fitness options.
AUTO BOOST?
Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Honda, all with significant presences in Alabama, are mulling over plans to move more production to the U.S. should President Donald Trump institute tariffs on automobiles. All of Alabama’s firms, which also include Toyota and Mazda, are based outside the U.S.
TAKE A HIKE
The Alabama Tourism Department launched its “Year
of Alabama Trails” with a list of the top 25 “must-explore” trails in Alabama. The trails are across the state from the Richard Martin Rail Trail and Walls of Jericho in the north to Perdido River Canoe Trail and Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails in the south.
NEW CARS
Honda Alabama in Lincoln recently began producing the 2026 Honda Passport and Passport TrailSport. The company touts the TrailSport as “the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever.”
MRO AT PRYOR
The Pryor Field Airport Authority has signed a lease agreement with a maintenance, repair and overhaul company for
Many of the state’s exported goods travel via container through APM Terminals at the port in Mobile.
Ground
broken in Montgomery for intermodal container facility
The ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY, in partnership with CSX, broke ground in late February on the Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility.
The project was announced in 2022 and has already attracted more than $3 billion in economic development investments
BUSINESS BRIEFS
the north Alabama airport. FTair is now located at the airport in Tanner.
BEYOND MUNICIPAL
Bessemer Municipal Airport has been reclassified from a regional airport to a national airport. The classification helps to determine the amount and type of federal funding available for airport development.
COOLEST OF THE COOL
Manufacture Alabama has launched Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in Alabama. The March Madness-like bracket competition will take place online, with the public voting which Alabama-made product should win.
LAYOFF WOES
In a February meeting with employees, Boeing told them as many as 400 Space Launch System-related positions could be eliminated by April. Huntsville is the home for much of Boeing’s SLS work, designed to power the NASA Artemis mission. After successfully launching its first rocket, Jeff Bezos’ firm Blue Origin has announced plans to lay off 10% of its workforce or about 1,400 people. Blue Origin has workers in Alabama and other states. OSG, a national customer communications management company, is closing its Birmingham production facility, eliminating 135 jobs. Others recently
from private companies, according to the port.
“Whether it’s boosting freight transportation, fostering economic development or connecting key industries in the state, the Port of Mobile — or as I like to call it, the ‘Port of Alabama’ — means big business,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “With this expansion of the port to a more central area of our state, we will strengthen Alabama’s freight connectivity with a larger, less congested reach. I am proud to work with Commerce
Secretary Ellen McNair, the Port Authority, CSX and other industry leaders to ensure our Alabama-made and Alabama-sourced goods have the opportunity to reach all 67 counties.”
The rail facility is on a 272-acre site with direct access to I-85 and Highway 31. It will have a throughput capacity of about 30,000 shipping containers per year.
“The Montgomery ICTF is a game-changer for freight movement in Alabama and beyond,” said John Driscoll, director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority. “This facility will provide businesses with seamless access to global markets, driving economic growth and strengthening our state’s supply chain infrastructure.”
The Montgomery ICTF is expected to be operational by 2027.
filing notice are Vanity Fair in Monroeville (a closure affecting 156 employees), Southeastern Food Merchandisers in Pelham (62 employees) and Nucor Buildings Group in Eufaula (79 employees).
SAMFORD SHOP TALK
The city of Homewood is receiving public input on a proposed retail development off of Lakeshore Drive. Samford University is planning to build on property the university owns near Homewood High School. The development would include retail, business and residential elements.
PELHAM BUYS OAK MOUNTAIN VENUE
The former Oak Mountain
amphitheater will become part of the city of Pelham in a $5.3 million deal between the city and Live Nation. The deal for the 43-acre property is set to be finalized after the amphitheater is demolished later this year.
GALLERIA GAZING
The city of Hoover has approved up to $200,000 for a market study about the possible redevelopment of an area including the Riverchase Galleria. The study will be conducted by the Chicagobased Hunden Group, one of nine companies to submit proposals.
ELMORE SPORTS BOOST
The 17 Springs development in Elmore County has opened
Gov. Kay Ivey speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony in February.
GE Aerospace to invest $73M in Alabama facilities
Cincinnati-based GE AEROSPACE announced plans in mid-March for a $1 billion investment in its American manufacturing program and related supply chain. That includes a $51 million investment in Auburn and $22 million in Huntsville.
The company also announced plans to hire some 5,000 workers in the U.S.
“Investing in manufacturing and innovation is more critical than ever for the future of our industry and the communities where we operate,” said H. Lawrence Culp Jr., chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace. “We are committed to helping our customers modernize and expand their fleets while scaling technologies that will truly define the future of flight. Together, this will keep the United States at the forefront of aerospace leadership.”
The Auburn investment will go toward additional 3D printers and upgrades to existing equipment. The investments are designed “to increase capacity and ensure quality.”
BUSINESS BRIEFS
its Phase II, reported to cost around $100 million. The project includes baseball and softball fields, a 5,500-seat stadium and events center.
NEW ON CAMPUS
Johnson Energy Storage and Tuskegee University have partnered to establish the Dr. Lonnie Johnson Technology Research & Incubation Center on Tuskegee’s campus. The center will seek to develop cleaner, safer and more affordable energy solutions. Johnson, who founded JES, is a Tuskegee alumnus.
DRONING ON
Cummings Aerospace and ATRX, both based in Huntsville, have signed an agreement
to work together to develop high-speed unmanned aircraft systems. The goal is to develop drones that can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds.
ONE LAST LOOK
While it is docked in Mobile, the SS United States will be part of boat tours around the Mobile Harbor. The ship will be sunk to become an artificial reef off the Florida coast.
BIGGER & BETTER
Birmingham-based Nelson Brothers Inc., which makes explosives chemicals for the mining industry, among other things, is planning a $45 million plant expansion in Walker County. The company was founded by brothers Dugan and Olen
In Huntsville, the firm plans to add machines in the facility where it creates materials used in ceramic matrix composite engine parts.
Nelson in 1956. Building & Earth Sciences Inc., a Birminghambased geotechnical engineering firm, broke ground for a new Huntsville office building on March 5. The new building is on Bailes Street Northwest. Birminghambased Robbie D. Wood Inc., a trucking company specializing in transportation of chemical products and hazardous waste, has broken ground on a new terminal in Saraland. The terminal is expected to bring more than 100 jobs to the Mobile area.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
California-based Applied Aerospace has acquired Huntsville’s NeXolve, which has developed deployable sunshields, solar sails and drag sails for NASA, Department
of Defense and commercial spacecraft. OneAscent, a faith-based financial solutions company in Birmingham, has acquired Excellence in Giving, which the company calls the leading faith-based philanthropic firm in the U.S. Excellence in Giving, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will operate as a subsidiary of OneAscent.
A GAME BY ANY OTHER NAME
Amazon will become the title sponsor of the annual Magic City Classic, the football game between Alabama A&M and Alabama State universities. The event’s official name is now the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola.
GE Aerospace is expanding its presence in the Limestone County portion of Huntsville.
Aircraft firm opens major new facility at Huntsville airport
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SERVICES LLC has opened its new 111,000-square-foot facility at Huntsville International Airport.
Founded in 1988, SES provides system development, maintenance, modification, integration, training and contractor logistics support of rotary and fixed wing aircraft for the U.S. government
ENERGY COALITION
Hoover’s Diversified Energy is joining FuelCell Energy and Tesiac, based in Connecticut and California respectively, to form an acquisition and development company “focused on delivering reliable, cost efficient, net-zero power from natural gas and captured coal mine methane.”
BIG TIME BUILDERS
Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama has announced that 28 state companies were named to ABC National’s 2025 Top Performers. Among them are three companies recognized as top-performing contractors by market section: BL Harbert International in government
and hospitality, Robins & Morton in health care and Brasfield & Gorrie in sports complexes.
POWER PLAY
Alabama Power has teamed with Colorado-based E Source to win $275,000 from the Department of Energy. They developed a custom enterprise graph database that will help identify issues in the distribution network. The team will move on to the next round of the program, which will offer a $2.5 million prize pool.
STILL WORKING
Dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts approved a sixyear contract in late February, averting the threat of a strike.
and foreign military partners.
“SES is a Huntsville success story,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “We’ve watched the firm rise from a small manufacturing company over on Pulaski Pike to becoming a key supporter of PEO Aviation at Redstone and as an international leader in support of rotary and fixed wing aviation.”
The newly constructed hangar, built by Fite Building Co., will allow the company to add fixed-wing aircraft operations to Huntsville, according to SES CEO Ralph Pallotta.
“This location at Huntsville International Airport is perfect for us and provides enhanced security, and this building is equipped with state-of-the-art fire protection, heating and cooling. These are essential to protecting assets such as expensive, sophisticated, complicated aircraft for us taxpayers as well as the government,” said Pallotta.
SES has a long history with the U.S. Army, providing equipment training and modification of rotary craft. For Boeing, the company receives all AH-64D aircraft from U.S. and foreign military sales (FMS) partners for remanufactured AH-64E production.
SES LLC’s operational locations encompass more than 1.4 million square feet of integration facilities with more than 100 aircraft in the company’s custody daily. It employs approximately 800 people.
Nearly 99% of those voting voted in favor of the contract.
MISSING STAR
The iconic star that stood atop the former Carraway Hospital for decades is being dismantled and removed in pieces as part of a redevelopment. The large, blue star is expected to return and be featured in the Star Uptown development.
BUSINESS HONORS
A historic marker honoring Huntsville’s Henderson and Daniel Brandon will be dedicated on Courthouse Square. The two founded a masonry firm that was one of the city’s most successful Blackowned businesses in the late 19th century.
CONGRATULATIONS
Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin has been named National Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents Association. He is the first Alabama superintendent to win that title.
NEW POSTS
Josh Carpenter, most recently CEO of Birmingham’s Southern Research, has been named chief integration officer of Florida’s Moffitt Cancer Center and president of its subsidiary Speros FL, working to unite the groups’ research expertise with commercial partners to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer prevention and
SES works with both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
Aircraft maintenance company shuttering work in Mobile
VT MOBILE AEROSPACE ENGINEERING, a Singapore-based aerospace company in Mobile, is shutting down its local operations.
The company says it’s part of a “capacity transition plan” for its Mobile operations. Work done in Mobile will be transferred to the company’s facilities in Pensacola and in Texas.
In a press release issued March 5, the company said: “In efforts to further optimize its operations and enhance its competitiveness in the global airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) market, VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering (VT MAE) has made the strategic decision to undertake a capacity transition plan for its operations in Mobile, Alabama. Under this move, VT MAE will progressively rationalize its Mobile operations and transition its airframe MRO activities to facilities in Pensacola, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas. The process is estimated to take place over the next few months.”
Business Alabama asked what precisely that meant and received this response: “We will transition to existing airframe facilities in San Antonio, Texas and Pensacola, Florida. In Pensacola, we have ongoing expansion plans to develop an airframe MRO complex that makes it optimal for us to transition there in our efforts to streamline and optimize our operations.”
Most recently, economic development officials in Mobile listed VT MAE as employing 1,040 people, but the company told Business Alabama: “We currently have around 300 team members affected in Mobile. Each person will receive individualized support as they evaluate their options, whether that’s a transfer to
another facility or transition assistance to new opportunities.”
As of mid-March, VT MAE was not listed on the state’s WARN list, meant as an alert of upcoming layoffs. Also, as of mid-March, VT MAE still listed a Mobile job opening on its website.
In the original press release, Alvin Bass, general manager of VT MAE, said, “We are grateful for the support and successful history we have had in Mobile for more than 30 years, and we deeply value our long-standing relationship with the Mobile community. The difficult decision was made after we had gone through a long and careful consideration of multiple factors and options.”
The company landed its first plane at the Brookley Aeroplex in 1991, representing one of Mobile’s earliest foreign direct investments.
treatment. Wiley Blankenship has stepped down as president and CEO of Coastal Alabama Partnership to serve as campaign manager for Connie Hudson, who is running for mayor of Mobile.
CONTRACTS
Tyonek Technical Services, based in Madison, has been awarded a $98.1 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract is for cyber operations formal training support.
BATTERY BOOST
Alabama Power will build Alabama’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system on the former Plant Gorgas site in Walker County. Construction will begin in 2025, with the
seven-acre facility expected to be completed by 2027.
TROY PHENIX CLOSING
Troy University is closing its satellite location in Phenix City Troy opened the campus in 1975 and cited a growing desire for online education as the reason it closed.
ROARK RETIRES
Bill Roark, who co-founded Huntsville’s Torch Technologies, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, Simvana and their umbrella Starfish Holdings, has announced his retirement. He will continue to serve as executive chairman of the Starfish board.
BIG DEAL
A waterfront estate on Alabama’s Smith Lake has sold for $4.3 million, the highest price ever on the lake, according to Lake Homes Realty. The previous record was $3.6 million, the company said.
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR VIEW
The penthouse suite in Birmingham’s City Federal Building has been listed for $1.9 million. The 3,945-squarefoot condo, featuring sweeping views of Birmingham, hasn’t been on the market for a decade.
NO MORE BARGAINS
Bargain Hunt, the discount store that declared bankruptcy in February, has begun going-
out-of-business sales at its 10 Alabama locations. The chain has stores in Cullman, Decatur, Florence, Gadsden, Hoover, Birmingham, Montgomery, Opelika, Pell City and Sylacauga.
NEW AT THE TOP
Cindy Mullins has been named the executive director of Birmingham Landmarks, the nonprofit owner and operator of the Lyric and Alabama Theatres. Most recently, she was vice president of Birmingham Landmarks. Nicholas Shackley has been named CEO of Huntsville-based Gannet BioChem, with Chris Edwards named chief financial officer. Longtime company leader Tony Sander is now COO. Gannet
This photo accompanied a 2023 Mobile Chamber of Commerce press release announcing an expansion at MAE.
Core Scientific investing $135M in Auburn data center
CORE SCIENTIFIC INC., a digital infrastructure company, is expanding into Auburn with an investment of approximately $135 million in a data center housed inside the AUBix facility. The company expects to exceed $400 million on the project in the future.
“Auburn represents an exciting new chapter for Core Scientific as we establish our presence in Alabama,” said CEO Adam Sullivan. “This facility is expected to play a key role in our high-performance computing strategy, and we are grateful for the strong partnership and support from local and state leaders, including
BUSINESS BRIEFS
BioChem was recently acquired by Ampersand Capital Partners.
FAREWELL FEED & SEED
C.T. Garvin Feed & Seed is closing its doors in Huntsville after more than 90 years of operation in various locations within the city. The agricultural supply store still has a location in Elkmont and sells through its website.
BUILDING NEWS
The real estate investment firm the Dobbins Group and contractor Capstone Building Corp., both based in Birmingham, have completed Colina Ranch Hill in San Antonio, Florida, a $62.6 million apartment complex. Birmingham-based
Brasfield & Gorrie has topped out the Norman Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach.
BEE BUZZ
Foxhound Bee Co. is planning to break ground on a 5,000-squarefoot Beekeeping and Pollinator Education Center in Irondale this month. The company says the facility will be a first-of-its-kind facility in Alabama.
WORKER SAFETY
The family of Taylor Boldosser North, who was shot and killed in early February while working as a convenience store clerk in Madison, is urging the state legislature to pass a bill requiring protections for store workers.
Auburn city officials.”
Located on Samford Avenue, Core Scientific has leased the AUBix facility and is planning to execute an option to purchase it. It has retained the facility’s 11 full-time employees as part of its commitment to the local workforce, with plans to increase its team to a minimum of 20 fulltime employees.
“Core Scientific’s expansion into Alabama highlights the state’s growing prominence in the technology and digital infrastructure sector,” said Ellen McNair, Alabama Department of Commerce secretary. “This investment not only strengthens our state’s economy but also positions Alabama as a key player in the future of high-performance computing.”
The company now operates nine date centers across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas. It also has an additional facility under construction in Oklahoma. Its services are high-performance computing and data mining, including hosting services for large bitcoin mining customers. The company is also converting a significant portion of its operational data centers to support artificial intelligence-related workloads.
SO LONG, SAWDC
The Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council, which has provided a link among industry, education and the community for 16 years, voted to dissolve itself as of June 30 in response to changes in state funding through the new Alabama Workforce Transformation Act.
HOSPITAL CUTBACK
Lawrence Medical Center plans to drop emergency and inpatient care, keeping its more in-demand outpatient services. The facility in Moulton will partner with Huntsville Hospital System to maintain those outpatient services.
NAME CHANGE
Bank47, formerly LifeSteps Bank and Trust, has opened its headquarters in Huntsville. Hill Womble is CEO of Bank47.
CULTURAL FUNDS
Two Birmingham churches are among 30 nationwide named as recipients of 2025 grants from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Bethel Baptist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church will share in grants among the 30 churches totaling $8.5 million.
MAJOR SHIFT
Citing low enrollment and budget cuts, Mobile’s Spring Hill College is dropping six majors, affecting 24 students enrolled in those majors. The
Core Scientific’s new data center in Auburn.
FabArc Steel Supply wins $100M automotive project
FABARC STEEL SUPPLY INC., in Oxford, has been awarded an automotive project in New Carlisle, Indiana, valued at more than $100.7 million.
Project Armstrong, as it is being called, requires approximately 25,000 tons of steel and will strengthen the company’s presence in the growing EV battery manufacturing sector, FabArc says.
“This project, along with our previous battery project awards, has propelled our total battery fabrication projects to nearly $300 million in just the first five months of our fiscal year, shattering all previous revenue and steel tonnage records in our 46-year history,” said Tom Adams, president, chairman and CEO of FabArc Steel Supply.
Project Armstrong is set to begin in May 2025, with Barton Malow as the contractor on the project.
Founded in 1979, FabArc Steel Supply is an AISC-certified fabrication facility specializing in high-quality steel fabrication for projects throughout the United States. Its two manufacturing plants have more than 300,000 square feet of fabrication space and a workforce of 300 skilled employees. The company’s production capacity exceeds 40,000 tons annually.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
majors being dropped are chemistry, biochemistry, history, philosophy, secondary education and studio art.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Doster Construction Co. has completed Attain at Bradford Creek, a $90 million multifamily complex in Huntsville. Attain includes 350 residential units.
CAMPUS COMPLIMENTS
Auburn University is on the list of 54 Most Beautiful Campuses in America compiled by Conde Nast Traveler. Auburn is the only school in the state to make the list and one of four SEC schools on the list.
BUILDING BOOST
Huntsville’s North Alabama Homebuilding Association, a nonprofit providing training for those looking for a career in residential construction, has received a $500,000 Lowe’s Foundation Gables Grant. NAHA is one of 15 nonprofits across in the country to receive a grant.
TASTE OF ITALY
Shelby County-based Marano Foods is opening two Marano’s D’Asporto Italian Market and Caffe locations in the Birmingham area – The Edge in Homewood and the Shops at Grand River in Leeds. The locations will feature fastcasual carryout or delivery.
FUN TIME
Iowa-based Up-Down Arcade Bar, featuring beer, pizza and arcade games, will open its first Alabama location in Birmingham’s Parkside district. The location, which will include 60 arcade games, pinball machines and skeeball, is set to open in April.
CORRECTION
The Robins & Morton vice president and immediate past president of Associated Builders & Contractors is Mark Mattox. His last name was misspelled in our February issue.
FabArc’s headquarters in Oxford.
PARTNERING WITH INDUSTRY
Alabama universities collaborate with various businesses to mutual benefit
By KATHLEEN FARRELL
University-industry partnerships across the state are helping to develop new products, improve services and fill crucial skill gaps in a variety of fields. From a collaboration that prepares students for careers in the maritime and port industry to a beta testing arrangement for an innovative materials testing system, institutions of higher learning are working together with businesses and industry associations to provide solutions for next-generation challenges.
In addition, strengthened relations between universities and industry can give students the advantage of a clear path to their first job following graduation. These mutually beneficial relationships improve universities’ educational offerings and prepare graduates to enter the workforce equipped with the skills they need to be successful in their chosen industries.
The University of South Alabama (USA) and the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) have formally partnered to work on professional development for the maritime and port industry. A non-profit industry association, the IAMPE provides certification for professionals of all career levels working within the maritime port industry. USA and IAMPE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in October 2024, designating the university as an official academic partner of the IAMPE. Under the terms of the agreement, the IAMPE provides professional certification to students who complete qualifying USA port and terminal management programs. USA provides academic credit toward its degree programs to students who complete IAMPE programs, which are reviewed
Dr. Pete Simonson, assistant professor (center), and his USA students tour APM Terminals facilities at the port in Mobile.
MIDDLE: Developed for ceramics and composites, the new UHTC system combines faster heating and cooling with enhanced testing efficiency. UA students are partnering with developers to test the equipment.
BOTTOM: This 23-battery module can contain 276 cells, cooling systems, safety management hardware/sensors, a vent gas manifold and contaminant neutralization capabilities. Auburn faculty and students help with this IntraMicron project.
and approved for certification by the IAMPE’s board of advisors, composed of 19 industry professionals.
“We are thrilled to be working with such a forward-looking institution that shares our value of elevating the port industry,” says IAMPE Executive Director David Arnold. “The port industry benefits from having well-trained and well-informed professionals, and we believe that this collaboration with the University of South Alabama will have a lasting positive impact on the industry.” USA and the IAMPE plan to collaborate on new programs offered by either institution to meet the needs of the global port and maritime industry.
Birmingham-headquartered RxBenefits, a leading pharmacy benefits optimizer in the employee benefits industry, has partnered with Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy to provide students advanced training in pharmacy benefits management. On January 29, RxBenefits leadership and Samford University President Beck A. Taylor, Senior Associate Provost Marci Johns, Dean
TOP: Guests tour IntraMicron’s facility in December 2023. Auburn has long partnered with IntraMicron.
Michael Crouch and McWhorter School of Pharmacy faculty, students and staff gathered to dedicate a new RxBenefits Suite in the College of Health Sciences. The suite was designed by Samford and RxBenefits to provide a dedicated space for the Population Health Outcomes rotation, a managed care-focused component of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience. McWhorter School of Pharmacy is the only school of its kind in the nation to require this hands-on rotation.
Taylor spoke at the unveiling event, thanking RxBenefits for their support and partnership. “We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation,” said Taylor. “This unique learning experience offers real-world training, and our partnership with RxBenefits gives students access to cutting-edge practices and expertise in Pharmacy Benefits Management.”
The RxBenefits Suite is used by students for group journal clubs, virtual meetings and Drug-A-Minute presentations, the final project of the Population
Health Outcomes rotation. Also, students can use the space to study together.
Samford’s partnership with RxBenefits helps students even after they graduate from the program. The company, which employs more than 1,000 experts nationwide, offers post-graduate managed care pharmacy residency programs to prepare the graduates to collaborate with employee benefit consultants and self-funded clients to deliver affordable, top-tier
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pharmacy benefits.
“This collaborative space represents a powerful union of academic excellence and industry innovation, where future pharmacists will gain transformative learning experiences that bridge pharmacy education and real-world experience in managed care and population health outcomes,” says Dee Dugan, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice.
In January, the University of Alabama
Samford University and RxBenefits leadership at the RxBenefits Suite dedication.
(UA) announced it would be collaborating with Dynamic Systems Inc. (DSI), a leading provider of advanced materials testing solutions and a subsidiary of Vishay Precision Group Inc. to beta test the company’s new standalone Ultra High Temperature Ceramic and Composite (UHTC) system for the development and testing of non-conductive materials, including ceramics. Pushing the boundaries
of material testing, this solution enables research and development at temperatures exceeding 2000°C.
“The University of Alabama is excited to collaborate with Dynamic Systems Inc. in offering a rapid means for ceramic thermomechanical testing,” says Dr. Bryan Boudouris, vice president for research and economic development at UA. “The materials processing and advanced characteriza-
tion capabilities of the Alabama Materials Institute, combined with the commercialization and testing development expertise of Dynamic Systems Inc., will positively impact ceramic development across a range of applications, from energy to aerospace.” With its partnership with UA, DSI furthers its commitment to advancing materials testing and fostering innovation in high-performance industries.
Auburn University’s chemical engineering department has a long-standing partnership with IntraMicron Inc., an engineering development technology company that was founded in 2001 to commercialize materials developed at the university. A research team from Auburn worked with IntraMicron on a battery system that can manage massive thermal loads like those used or discharged during use of directed-energy weapons.
“Our technology provides a safe and effective means to remove that heat, which prevents one battery from getting so hot that it might blow up and then cause all the other 275 batteries in the pack to ignite, as well,” says Bruce Tatarchuk, IntraMicron chief executive officer and director of Auburn University’s Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing and the Charles Gavin III Endowed Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Designed to prevent battery failures while enabling cells to operate at peak current and power outputs, this system enables up to a four-fold increase in power density. In defense missions, electrical energy storage is used to provide a high-density cooling capacity for battle systems.
At IntraMicron, Auburn co-op students, graduate students and staff engineers work together on projects with defense industry applications. “The military is concerned about workforce development and the strategic supply and access to people versed in technology,” says Tatarchuk. “The fact that we can align the student educational experience with the critical workforce needs of the future is a big deal, as is the development of new technologies.”
Kathleen Farrell is a Mobile-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama
YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE!
At Bishop State, we offer a wide range of programs designed to help you succeed—whether you’re preparing for a career in healthcare, technology, business, or the skilled trades. With opportunities to transfer to top universities or step directly into high-demand careers, your path to success starts here.
Our strong partnerships with local businesses and industries ensure that our students gain real-world experience and the skills employers need. From state-of-the-art training facilities to hands-on learning opportunities, Bishop State is committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Are you ready to make your mark? Come to Bishop State and find your Bishop Statement!
Alabama offers three STEM-focused public high schools for students from across the state. And one for the arts.
By DEBORAH STORY
It may surprise the rest of the country to hear that Alabama is in the forefront of teaching high-school kids the engineering, health care and cybertech skills the workforce so desperately needs.
In Mobile, students drill down on math and science. In Huntsville, they tackle advanced math and cyber security. A school opening next year in Demopolis will funnel trained health care workers into a constantly needy field.
And for the arts-focused student, a fine-arts school in Birmingham has provided elite training for decades.
STEM IN MOBILE
The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile has just under 300 students, says Steven M. Floyd, ASMS recruitment and communications coordinator. As Alabama’s only 100% residential high school, its capacity is limited by the number of rooms and bed spaces in residence halls.
“ASMS is a public high school for any student in Alabama who is motivated to work hard and shows dedication to learn-
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile.
ing,” says Floyd.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors from all 67 counties in Alabama are eligible to attend. Students apply during their freshman and sophomore years.
“Currently, we have students enrolled from 57 of the 67 counties,” Floyd says. “We also find that ASMS students tend to come from rural and underserved areas of the state. Fifty-eight percent of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.”
The principle of providing a “livinglearning” atmosphere in a safe environment has guided the school since its inception in 1989.
“Our tuition-free boarding school model removes economic and geographic barriers to education for Alabama students,” says Floyd.
Because students live on campus, they learn and have support around the clock.
“Even after school hours, our campus is full of students studying together, meeting faculty members, tutoring one another, engaging in leadership training, participating in life skills programs, doing mock interviews and having fun,” he says.
Campus life teaches responsibility like organizing cleaning schedules or vacuuming classrooms. Students do their own laundry, wake themselves, manage academic and social time and adjust to living away from their families.
“As a result, ASMS students are more prepared for the independence and
responsibility that comes with living and learning away from home in college,” says Floyd.
ASMS offers more than 200 courses, many offering college credit. Most instructors have doctorate degrees or previously taught at prestigious universities.
Three-fourths of graduates attend colleges and universities in Alabama. Others enroll at elite institutions such as Harvard, Yale, MIT or Stanford. Roughly 65% of ASMS alumni are still living and working in Alabama, Floyd says, and twothirds of the more than 3,000 alumni are in STEM fields.
CYBER SKILLS IN HUNTSVILLE
The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Huntsville is the nation’s only high school focused on integrating cyber technology and engineering into all academic disciplines. ASCTE is a public, residential magnet school where tuition is free.
Founded in 2018 and located in Cummings Research Park, the school opened its doors to 70 freshmen and sophomore students in August of 2020.
Business leaders saw a need for cyber training in workforce development at least 18 years ago, says ASCTE President Matt Massey. They pitched the idea to the governor and other elected officials.
“That’s the need that the state has, and the nation has,” says Massey. “Alabama stakeholders had the foresight of getting
ahead of the game and the state government got behind it to support it as well.”
Because Huntsville hosts a National Cyber Summit with the National Cyber Security Foundation, Massey says supporters “felt like it would be a good ecosystem for the school to flourish.”
Students come from all over Alabama, representing about 90 cities and towns.
“These kids are getting an opportunity at an elite kind of educational level that really fits what they’re looking for,” says Massey.
“Many are graduating with certifications in security and network, like adult-level certifications,” he adds. “We want them to be able to take a job, start a career or go to college.”
“These kids are getting an opportunity at an elite kind of educational level that really fits what they’re looking for. Many are graduating with certifications in security and network, like adultlevel certifications,” he adds. “We want them to be able to take a job, start a career or go to college.”
— ASCTE President Matt Massey
At ASMS, students participate in the Goofy Olympics, where they compete in friendly games on campus.
Grades count toward acceptance but so do less obvious things like attendance and a willingness to collaborate.
“We’re looking for students that go beyond what the normal classroom provides to engage in STEM, whether it’s working on computers or working on cars,” he says.
They study math, physics, introduction
ARTS ABOUND AS WELL
The oldest of Alabama’s statewide specialty high schools focuses on fine arts
to cyber, computer science, biotechnology, trigonometry, calculus, physics and offensive security. Seventeen students graduated in the first year, 65 in the second. Most stay in Alabama.
“We’ve got students in Georgetown, and at Harvard, and at Tufts as well,” Massey says. “In-state schools recruit
them really hard.”
Many businesses hire ASCTE graduates to work remotely while they’re still in college, he says.
They don’t emphasize engineering and exclude everything else.
“Our thing is that everybody needs cybersecurity, whether it’s in finance or in
By DEBORAH STORY
Two Alabama high schools focus on science, math and engineering. A new one will teach health care workers. Meanwhile, a downtown Birmingham school has specialized in elite arts training for decades.
Alabama School of Fine Arts is a state-funded, tuition-free public school that provides intensive education in the arts, plus math and science to students in grades 7 through 12.
“ASFA is for students who strive for excellence in the arts and sciences in one of six specialty areas: creative writing, dance, math-science, music, theatre arts and visual arts,” explains spokesperson Katie Roach.
In the 1950s and ’60s, Birmingham arts advocates urged state leaders to create a school for students interested in ballet and music.
Gov. Lurleen Wallace responded in 1967 with a proclamation for a pilot program and start-up grant of $10,000. In 1971, the Alabama Legislature passed a resolution establishing the school with a board of directors appointed by the State Board of Education.
Students spend their mornings on general academic classwork, then focus on developing their unique voice within their chosen discipline.
Students apply for admission. The 60 graduates of the Class of 2024 were offered more than $17.3 million in college scholarships, and 90% earned merit scholarships.
“Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins attended for a year. Alumnus Rachel Lockhart appeared on Broadway and is touring in the Michael Jackson musical.
health or in government,” Massey says.
“We try to expose our students to a lot of different fields. It may be medical; it may be financial. We try not to pigeonhole a 15-year-old into deciding what they’re going to do the rest of their life.”
The school has about 360 students –girls and boys on separate floors. The next
phase would be a girls’ dorm.
“It’s really going to come down to industry telling the state, ‘Hey, we need more graduates,’” Massey says. “We have more applications than we have rooms.”
MARENGO COUNTY HEALTH CARE
The Alabama School of Healthcare Sci-
“ASFA graduates build on the creative habits of mind they develop at ASFA to establish successful careers in a wide array of fields, serving as innovative leaders in business and nonprofits, artists, entrepreneurs and role models for future generations,” says Roach.
ences is expected to open in fall 2026 in Demopolis. Gov. Kay Ivey announced the idea in her State of the State address in February 2023 and signed the authorizing bill in May 2024.
This February, Dr. James “Jimmy” Martin, most recent superintendent of schools in Pell City, was named ASHS president.
With its specialized curriculum, ASFA is considered a sister school to the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Huntsville and the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences opening in 2026 in Demopolis.
Students spend the morning on class work and the afternoon on their specialties like music (above) and visual arts (right).
The curriculum is still in the works as hospitals provide input, says spokesperson Jonathan McElvy. Fundraising continues while architects work on the design phase.
The freshman class is expected to have 100 students, with a maximum of 400 in grades 9-12 as the school grows.
The curriculum is the first of its kind and expected to serve as a national model.
Students will receive exposure to various health care opportunities and have access to internships and permanent jobs with statewide hospitals and clinics. The goal is to address rural healthcare disparities across the state and reduce worker shortages.
The curriculum will be built on a work-based learning model tied to clinical opportunities at Whitfield Regional Hospital and area nursing homes and clinics, explains Rob Pearson, interim president of the ASHS Foundation.
Students will begin a health carefocused curriculum in the ninth grade, says Pearson, and “begin to understand
“All of our graduates will be work-ready with certificates that place them in higherpaying jobs than are available through traditional high schools.”
— Rob Pearson, interim president of the ASHS Foundation
concepts unique to health care while achieving the core credits required for a high school diploma.”
By junior year, students will start certificate programs through dual enrollment with higher education providers while they work and learn inside the hospital.
“All of our graduates will be workready with certificates that place them
in higher-paying jobs than are available through traditional high schools,” Pearson says. “Most will have associate degrees and will have the opportunity to advance into a four-year program already two years ahead.”
Deborah Storey is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
Perfecting
Online Higher Education Right here in Alabama
“I’m so glad I chose this college.”
Crystal
Bailey Class of 2024 Daphne, Alabama
The Wall Street Journal (2025)
The Wall Street Journal (2025)
The Wall Street Journal (2025)
LEARNING THE CYBER ROPES
Fellowships help community college students launch in-demand career
By NANCY MANN JACKSON
COMMUNITY
SYSTEM
Consulting and Solutions).
In mid-February, a leading online job site had more than 500 cybersecurity jobs posted in Alabama, and that number is projected to increase by 32% in the next seven years, according to Abigail Carter, associate director of computer information technology instructional programs for the Alabama Community College System.
Despite the growth in cybertechnology-related jobs in the state, many recent graduates lack the experience needed to snag those positions. That’s why the Alabama Community College System has launched the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship, a new cybertech training program for community college students, in partnership with Enterprise-based Advantage Consulting & Solutions and Innovate Alabama.
The fellowship’s pilot semester began in January with computer science students from Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Enterprise State Com-
to
Michaela
- Fellow (Trenholm State Community College); Amari Raye - Fellow (Trenholm State Community College).
SOUTHEAST HEALTH Left to Right: Josh Hughes - Vice President (Advantage Consulting and Solutions); Bailey Gillespie - Fellow (Wallace Community College, Dothan); Stephanie Boartfield - Fellow (Wallace Community College, Dothan); Kelvin Seldon - President, (Advantage Consulting and Solutions).
GREAT SOUTHERN WOOD PRESERVING Left to Right: Kelvin Seldon - President, (Advantage Consulting and Solutions); Dr. Abigail Carter - Associate Director of Computer/Information Technology Instructional Programs (Alabama Community College System); Landon Bradley - Fellow (Enterprise State Community College); Phillip WeemsSenior Information Security Administrator (Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc.)
CONSTRUCTION PARTNERS INC. Left to Right: Shaun Simon - Director of Information Security (Construction Partners Inc); Tambudzayi Makoni - Fellow (Wallace Community College, Dothan); Kelvin Seldon - President, (Advantage
ENTECH Left to Right: Kelvin SeldonPresident, (Advantage Consulting and Solutions); Ta’ Davione Williams - Fellow (Wallace Community College, Dothan); Lindsey Deese - Support Manager (EnTech).
ALABAMA
COLLEGE
Left
Right:
Jones
Understanding the Work: What Can Cybersecurity Interns and Grads Do?
Cybersecurity is a highly technical and complex field, but that doesn’t mean less experienced professionals can’t make important contributions. In fact, recent grads and even student workers can play important roles in the field.
Entry-level cybersecurity work focuses on foundational tasks such as monitoring security alerts, basic vulnerability assessments, using Security Information and Event Management tools, and endpoint protection, says Kevin Seldon, president of Enterprise-based Advantage Consulting & Solutions.
For example, at his firm interns have built and secured virtual servers and assessed the security posture of commercial companies
munity College in Enterprise and Wallace Community College in Dothan. During the 16-week program, students participate in extensive cybersecurity lab training and work two days a week with local employers. They will earn $18 per hour and three college credits toward their computer science degree.
“Nationwide, there are more than 750,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, and Alabama is no exception to this shortage,” says Shannon Allen, program director at Innovate Alabama, which is funding the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship.
“With the state’s strong defense and aerospace industries, along with the increasing digitalization of businesses across all sectors, the need for skilled cybersecurity workers continues to rise,” Allen adds. “Employers are looking for talent that not only understands cybersecurity principles but also has hands-on experience navigating real-world security challenges. Programs like the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship play a critical role in bridging this gap, providing students with practical, paid experience in cybersecurity and
that aim to sell their software products to the federal government, Seldon says. New entrants to the field often find work as junior cyber analysts or other entry-level cybersecurity roles.
More experienced professionals are needed for expert-level cybersecurity work, which “involves a much deeper understanding of risk management, security threats, security frameworks, incident response and digital forensics,” Seldon says. “At this level, professionals may be responsible for developing and implementing security strategies, conducting penetration testing, reverse-engineering malware and performing digital forensics investigations.”
IT environments while helping to meet Alabama’s growing workforce needs.”
SEEING A NEED
Years ago, Kevin Seldon graduated from the computer information systems program at Enterprise State Community College and had a difficult time finding local employment in the field of information security. After six months of searching, he finally landed a help desk position at Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel), where he eventually worked his way up to information systems security officer. Today, as president of Advantage Consulting & Solutions, Seldon says that while the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, the access to jobs in the field remains out of reach for many new grads.
In 2024, Advantage Consulting & Solutions partnered with a North Carolina community college to provide virtual internships for several cybersecurity students. After the program yielded great success, Sheldon and his team approached the Alabama Community College System to discuss piloting a similar program in Alabama.
The community college system was eager to collaborate, and Innovate Alabama joined as a funding partner for the program.
“Innovate Alabama is dedicated to strengthening the state’s talent pipeline in high-growth fields like cybersecurity,” Allen says. “By supporting the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship, Innovate Alabama ensures that students — particularly in rural and underserved areas — gain access to high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities. Investing in programs like this helps keep top talent in Alabama, supporting our innovation ecosystem and ensuring that employers have access to a skilled workforce.”
DEVELOPING A PROGRAM
To provide students with real-world, hands-on experience, Advantage Consulting created a simulated computer network environment of commercial industry and public sector companies’ networks, excluding the data, for each student. This laboratory simulation allows students to perform typical cybersecurity job functions and tasks without putting
an organization’s sensitive or proprietary information at risk.
When the fellowship launched in January, students spent their first month working in the lab and learning from Advantage Consulting professionals. The training covered information about cybersecurity programs, why they are needed, and how to manage them, as well as how to communicate with stakeholders.
After preliminary training, the students started working twice weekly with their assigned employers. Some of the participating employers include Southeast Health, Great Southern Wood Preserving, EnTech, Construction Partners and the Alabama Community College System, Carter says.
“The employers recognize that they need people with cybersecurity skills, and they were invested in putting students in this environment,” Carter says. “There’s no agreement in place for long-term hiring, but we believe this experience will prepare students to interview powerfully and make connections that may help them secure permanent employment in the field.”
As the fellowship engages students in their final semester of study, “our hope is that one or more employers like what they see and extend an offer for full-time employment,” Seldon says. “This program not only equips students with practical, workforce-ready expertise but also helps local employers access a pipeline of skilled, in-demand talent — strengthening the local cybersecurity ecosystem and addressing the national workforce gap.”
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Traditionally, rural Alabama has been known for agriculture, industrial and health care industries, Seldon says. All of these industries are currently undergoing modernization to incorporate technology at a rapidly growing pace, and “where there’s technology, there’s a requirement to protect it,” Seldon says. “That talent has to come from somewhere, so why not right here?”
Based on the success and interest in the Alabama Cybersecurity Fellowship, the community college system hopes to expand the program to other areas throughout the state. System leaders are reviewing
potential grant opportunities and other avenues to fund an expansion.
“Over the long term, we aim to strengthen Alabama’s cybersecurity workforce by creating a sustainable talent pipeline — particularly in rural and underserved communities — so that businesses and government agencies have access to skilled professionals who can
meet the state’s growing cybersecurity needs,” says Innovate Alabama’s Allen. “By investing in programs like this, we’re not just supporting students; we’re driving economic growth and innovation across Alabama.”
Every semester, thousands of future game-changers walk through Wallace State’s door. It’s time to put this powerful pathway to work for your business.
Nancy Mann Jackson is a Madison-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
Alabama Public Two-Year Colleges
Ranked by student enrollment for Fall 2024. Source: Alabama Commission on Higher Education
1 Jefferson State Community College 2601 Carson Rd. Birmingham, AL 35215
2 Calhoun Community College P.O. Box 2216 Decatur, AL 35609
3 Coastal Alabama Community College 1900 Hwy. 31 S. Bay Minette, AL 36507
4 Wallace State Community CollegeHanceville 801 Main St. NW Hanceville, AL 35077
5 Gadsden State Community College 1001 George Wallace Dr. Gadsden, AL 35903
205-853-1200 jeffersonstate.edu
256-306-2500 calhoun.edu
800-381-3722 coastalalabama.edu
256-352-8000 wallacestate.edu
256-549-8222 gadsdenstate.edu
Keith Brown 9,241 Surgical technology, veterinary technology, culinary & hospitality, emergency medical services, respiratory therapy
Dr. Jimmy Hodges 9,119 Systems engineering technology, 3D modeling & animation, respiratory therapy, biotechnology, aerospace
Dr. Aaron Milner 7,557 Pipefitting, respiratory therapy, aviationpowerplant & airframe, culinary arts, 3D animation
Dr. Vicki Karolewics 6,424 Radiation therapy, early childhood educator (apprenticeship), occupational therapy assistant, cybersecurity, precision machining
Dr. Kathy Murphy 5,071 Consortium of Machining Education Training (CoMeT), Alabama FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), cadaver lab, nursing apprenticeship program
6 Southern Union State Community College 750 Roberts St. Wadley, AL 36276
7 Northwest Shoals Community College 800 George Wallace Blvd. Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
256-395-2211 suscc.edu
256-331-5200 nwscc.edu
8 Shelton State Community College 9500 Old Greensboro Rd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 205-391-2211 sheltonstate.edu
9 Bevill State Community College 1411 Indiana Ave. Jasper, AL 35501 800-648-3271 bscc.edu
Dr. Jeff Goodwin 4,665 HVAC, industrial systems, medical imaging, salon & spa with barbering, machining
Dr. Jonathan Koh 4,601 Quality engineering technology, medical laboratory technology, data science/ analytics, health information technology, computer science
Dr. Joel Hagood 4,378 Facility maintenance technician, management and entrepreneurship, sterile processing technician, urban forestry technician (dual enrollment only), mining technology (non-credit), general education certification
10 Wallace Community College - Dothan 1141 Wallace Dr. Dothan, AL 36303
334-983-3521 wallace.edu
11 Bishop State Community College 351 N. Broad St. Mobile, AL 36603-5898 251-405-7000 bishop.edu
Keith Phillips, Interim 4,045 Surgical technology, Wiregrass FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), pre-optometry pathway with Troy University,agriculture pathway with Auburn University, fiber optic technician and installer
Olivier Charles 4,001 Physical therapy assistant, machine tool technology, aviation manufacturing, computer-aided drafting and design, process and maintenance technology
12 Lawson State Community College 3060 Wilson Rd. SW Birmingham, AL 35221 205-925-2515 lawsonstate.edu
13 Northeast Alabama Community College 138 Alabama Hwy. 35 W. Rainsville, AL 35986
nacc.edu
14 Snead State Community College 220 N. Walnut St. Boaz, AL 35957 256-593-5120 snead.edu
15 Enterprise State Community College 600 Plaza Dr. Enterprise, AL 36330
Dr. Cynthia Anthony 3,456 Diagnostic medical sonography, radiologic technology, robotics, logistics and supply chain management, automotive specialty training for Mercedes, Toyota, Ford and GM
Dr. David Campbell 3,208 Business, building construction, computer information systems, industrial systems technology, nursing
Dr. Joe Whitmore 2,917 Aviation, machine tool technology, industrial systems technology, HVACrefrigeration, computer systems technology
escc.edu Daniel Long 2,700 Advanced composites, digital multimedia, automotive technology, mechatronics, medical assistant technology
16 Central Alabama Community College 1675 Cherokee Rd. Alexander City, AL 35011 256-234-6346 cacc.edu Jeff Lynn 2,140 Dual enrollment, machine shop, marine tech, industrial electronics technology, peer tutoring
17 Lurleen B. Wallace Community College 1000 Dannelly Blvd. Andalusia, AL 36420 334-222-6591 lbwcc.edu
18 Trenholm State Community College 1225 Air Base Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36108 334-420-4200 trenholmstate.edu
19 G.C. Wallace Community College - Selma 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy. Selma, AL 36702 334-876-9227 wccs.edu
20 Chattahoochee Valley Community College 2602 College Dr. Phenix City, AL 36869 334-291-4900 cv.edu
Dr. Brock Kelley 2,063 Forestry & wildlife sciences (only two-year degree in state), physical therapy assistant, building construction, salon and spa management, automotive technology
Dr. Kemba Chambers 2,046 Engineering technologies, LPN Immediate Impact Program - Baptist Health, respiratory therapy, line worker training, computer information systems
Dr. James Mitchell 1,925 Aviation, masonry/building trades, industrial maintenance technology, computer information systems, drafting & design technology
Jaqueline Screws 1,706 Electrical technology (coming Fall 2025), visual communications-multimedia graphic design, medical laboratory technician, emergency medical services, criminal justice
21 Drake State Community and Technical College 3421 Meridian St. N. Huntsville, AL 35811 256-539-8161 drakestate.edu
22 Ingram State Technical College 5375 Ingram Rd. Deatsville, AL 36022 334-285-5177 istc.edu
23 Reid State Technical College P.O. Box 588 Evergreen, AL 36401 251-578-1313 rstc.edu
24 Marion Military Institute 1101 Washington St. Marion, AL 36756 800-664-1842 marionmilitary.edu
Dr. Patricia Sims 1,187 Machine tool, engineering design, mechatronics (Industrial maintenance), salon & spa management, automotive service
Annette Funderburk
Dr. Coretta Boykin
Col. David Mollahan
960 Logistics and supply chain technology, industrial maintenance, CDL, diesel mechanics, utility tree trimming
641 Diesel technology, cosmetology, industrial electricity and electronics technology (ILT), childcare education & development, computer information science
332 Civilian leadership education, Army ROTC early commissioning, service academy program, FAA-certified flight training, first responder career prep
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Alabama’s community colleges offer some non-traditional career training programs
By GAIL ALLYN SHORT
Photos by JOE DE SCIOSE & JULIE BENNETT
Venus Smith is the program coordinator for the Funeral Service Education Program at Jefferson State Community College.
Alabama’s community colleges provide an affordable education and workforce development that prepares students for in-demand careers, from accounting, nursing and cosmetology to computer information systems and manufacturing.
Besides these traditional fields, community colleges also offer some innovative and even surprising courses of study.
Here are details about just a few.
FUNERAL SERVICES
At Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, a cohort of students are learning how to care for the dead and those in mourning.
The Funeral Service Education Program curriculum at Jefferson State includes the mortuary sciences, law and ethics, the social science of grief and loss, service management, embalming, restorative arts and thanotochemistry, which
is a basic study of inorganic, organic, biological and embalming chemistry.
Students also are required to complete embalming and restorative arts labs and an apprenticeship at a funeral home in the state where they want to practice, says Venus Smith, program coordinator for the Funeral Service Education Program at Jefferson State Community College.
“We want students to work in funeral homes while they’re going to school so they can gain hands-on experience and hopefully guarantee themselves a job once they get through school,” Smith says.
Students who complete three consecutive semesters can earn a non-accredited, 27-hour certificate or a 30-hour certificate if they live in states that require more hours of study for working in funeral homes.
But students desiring to become licensed funeral directors or licensed embalmers must complete four consec-
utive semesters to earn an associate of applied science degree in funeral service education.
Afterward, students have two choices. They can pass the National Board Exam with the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and become licensed to practice in Alabama and in other states or pass the state exam to practice only in Alabama.
Derek Glenn, from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, says his father owns a funeral home in his hometown, and for years, he often pitched in to help.
But after working funerals, earning a Master of Divinity degree and spending several years in ministry, Glenn says
Jefferson State funeral services students gather in the lab with program director Venus Smith (fourth from left) and instructors Randy Anderson (white shirt) and Dr. Jzyk Ennis (vest).
he enrolled in Jefferson State’s funeral services program to earn a degree and join his father’s business full time.
“I would say the chemistry class has been the most challenging for me personally,” says Glenn, “just because my background is in theology. We never had to cover anything in that realm, so, it was just kind of new.”
But as a remote student, Glenn says he was able to complete his apprenticeship at his family’s funeral home.
“In a real sense, the funeral industry is a form of ministry where we can serve people in times of need, where they’re at a low spot, we can come in and take care of things in a professional way.”
VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY
Veterinary technicians are licensed professionals who carry out veterinarians’ treatment plans.
Their duties can include surgical assisting, emergency and critical care, dental care, nursing care and diagnostic imaging. They also supervise veterinary assistants, manage the business side of veterinary clinics and explain treatment plans to anxious pet parents, farmers and others.
At the Southern Union State Community College campus in Valley, students can now enroll in a two-year veterinary technology program that launched last fall.
The program has a selective admissions process, so once students are admitted to Southern Union State, they must apply separately to the vet tech program. The program lasts for four semesters and all classes are held on campus. To graduate, students must earn 71 credits, which includes 19 prerequisite hours in core academic courses.
“We’re certainly seeing a lot of interest in the program, and certainly those students that feel they would be more academically challenged or prepared for the workforce with a hands-on campus program, are looking at Southern Union,” says Hayley Pritchard, program director for Southern Union’s Veterinary Technology program.
Upon graduation, the newly minted vet techs must pass board exams if they want to become licensed to work in Alabama.
Alabama requires vet tech graduates to pass both the national and state board exams. But those who want to work in other states must follow board exam requirements set in those states.
Cayli Harrelson, of Tallassee, says she grew up knowing she wanted to work with animals one day.
“As far as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with dogs,” she says.
After years of working as an assistant at kennels and veterinary clinics, Harrelson recalls the day she spotted an announcement on Facebook about the new vet tech program at Southern Union and decided to apply.
She now makes the hour-long commute to Valley four days a week for classes in the mornings and labs and clinics in the afternoons, she says.
During her first semester, Harrelson and her classmates studied animal anatomy and learned about various exotic pets such as snakes, parrots, rats and lizards and visited the Georgia Aquarium for a
Students in the veterinary technology program at Southern Union State learn the skills involved in helping with animal health care.
hands-on experience with penguins.
“That was really exciting,” says Harrelson. “I’ll never forget that.”
Harrelson says she expects to graduate this December.
“I still want to be in a small animal practice right now,” she says. “But long term, I want to specialize in canine rehabilitation.
“The program is going to help me excel in my career and hopefully, I’ll be able to go anywhere I want.”
AMBULANCE OPERATOR
Ambulance operators play a critical role in caring for patients in need of emergency transport to a hospital or a ride home.
The ACCS Innovation Center, a division of the Alabama Community College System, and the Skills for Success program, works with community colleges across the state to provide hands-on job training like the ambulance operator training course.
The training courses are free of charge and put students on the fast-track to employment.
In the ambulance operator course, students learn how to transport patients,
navigate traffic and tight spaces and perform other skills such as basic life support, airway management, trauma response, assessing patients and the handling of hazardous materials.
Students also practice scenarios and learn what to do when a patient is having a heart attack, stroke or is choking.
Enterprise State Community College piloted the ambulance operator program, and the course is now available at the other 23 community colleges around the state, says Kailah Dozier, director of marketing and corporate partnerships with the Alabama Community College System.
Dozier says, “Our goal for 2025 is to generate more interest in this course. There’s a big need, and we’re actively collaborating with multiple emergency services groups, particularly the state EMS director, to promote and integrate this course into their ongoing training and employment opportunities.”
AVIATION
For anyone in the Black Belt region interested in the study of flight, Wallace Community College Selma’s aviation pro-
gram consists of two components, flight awareness and training courses.
The awareness component includes an annual Aviation Day, aviation summer camps and an introduction to a mobile flight simulation lab where high school and college students can explore aviation.
On the other hand, the aviation training component includes noncredit and credit courses.
The non-credit classes include lessons to earn a private pilot’s license and instruction for flying drones.
On the credit pathway, students can earn an associate of science degree with an emphasis in aviation and transfer to a university for a bachelor’s degree.
WCCS Associate Dean of Learning Lula Snowden says, “We’re excited and committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities that will prepare our students for the high-wage, high-demand opportunities in the aviation field.”
Gail Allyn Short, Joe De Sciose and Julie Bennett are freelance contributors to Business Alabama. Short and De Sciose are based in Birmingham; Bennett is based in Auburn.
Wallace Community College Selma’s aviation program helps students learn aviation skills, including earning a pilot’s license.
BCA HOSTS
LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION TO KEEP BUSINESS FRONT AND CENTER DURING 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
From February to May, Montgomery transforms into the heartbeat of Alabama’s policymaking, with lawmakers convening for 30 legislative days to craft policies that shape the future of the state and its business climate. With so much at stake, the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has wasted no time advocating for the members’ pro-business perspective.
BCA officially kicked off the 2025 legislative session on February 5 with its annual Legislative Reception at Alley Station in Montgomery—a highly anticipated event that brings together policymakers and business leaders.
Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan
Gudger, House and Senate leadership, and their colleagues joined BCA’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and members for the evening. Altogether, more than 400 business leaders, legislators, and public officials gathered under one roof to connect, collaborate, and set the tone for the session.
BCA staff welcomed attendees and encouraged them to make the most of the evening—whether by strengthening existing relationships or forging new ones. Guests enjoyed an oyster bar, hors d'oeuvres by Jennie Weller, signature cocktails, and live music from Blackbird Pickers.
Beyond the fun, the reception was an invaluable opportunity for business and policy leaders to discuss problems, explore possibilities, and share their perspectives on policies promoting economic growth and development. These types of productive conversations only reinforce the importance of collaboration between business leaders and policymakers during the legislative decision-making process.
While the reception was an extremely valuable platform for lawmakers to hear directly from Alabama’s business community, BCA’s advocacy efforts extend far beyond a single event.
Throughout the legislative session, BCA will aggressively represent Alabama’s business community by championing pro-business initiatives and standing firm against legislation threatening the state’s economic climate and future growth.
As the session progresses, BCA will continue to recognize the daily challenges businesses face and remain a trusted resource for proactive legislative solutions.
By prioritizing businesses and their employees, BCA has identified several key issues critical to promoting the growth and stability of Alabama’s business landscape and economic outlook in the months ahead.
BUSINESS LEGISLATIVE ITEMS OF INTEREST:
OPPOSING HARMFUL PRESCRIPTION FEES
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee recently held a public hearing on two Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) bills. If passed in their current form, they would impose a $10.64 fee on every prescription filled in the state. This new fee would be passed down to all employers who offer health benefits to their employees, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars each year. This fee is not small or insignificant—it would be a massive new cost burden on Alabama businesses, employees, and, ultimately, consumers.
The proposed new fee is fundamentally bad for businesses and sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the economic health of Alabama’s employers and workers alike. BCA testified at the hearing, strongly opposing these bills in their current form, emphasizing
that shifting the financial strain onto businesses and employees is not only wrong but harmful to the state's economic stability. BCA is urging legislators to consider alternative solutions that would not adversely impact the business community.
‘SAFE ALABAMA’ PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE
Governor Kay Ivey’s ‘Safe Alabama’ initiative includes eight bills designed to enhance public safety and reduce crime across the state. These bills have gained strong bipartisan support, reinforcing Alabama’s commitment to making communities safer while ensuring businesses continue to thrive.
BCA knows that safe communities lead to stronger schools, increased business opportunities, and a more attractive environment for families and skilled workers. A safer Alabama brings new investments, retains talent, and fosters economic growth across all industries.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION
A series of bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to address current and future challenges related to illegal immigration in Alabama. BCA has actively engaged in discussions to ensure these bills safeguard the business community from unintended consequences.
SHIELDING AGAINST PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION AND GOVERNMENT OVERREACH
There is a proposed bill in both the Alabama House and Senate that would create a new private right of action that individuals and corporations can use to claim discrimination on a wide variety of subjective ideological grounds. The bill represents a significant government encroachment into how certain financial institutions, insurers, credit card companies, and payment processors assess risk and make business decisions, determinations that are already subject to numerous federal laws and regulations. Importantly, even if the Alabama Banking Department or
Alabama Insurance Department investigates a discrimination complaint and finds no violation, this bill still would give a complainant the ability to seek and recover treble damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief in civil court. As always, BCA opposes avenues for businesses to face costly, frivolous civil lawsuits.
By advocating for pro-business initiatives and opposing harmful legislation, BCA makes the voices of business owners and employees heard at the highest levels of government. Through ongoing engagement, collaboration, and a focus on solutions, BCA will continue to shape a business-friendly environment that strengthens industries, creates opportunities, and drives Alabama forward.
The Business Advocate is published by the Business Council of Alabama, a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. For more information on the Business Council of Alabama, please contact us at (334) 834-6000 or visit us online at bcatoday.org.
The 2025 Business Alabama Awards winners
Meet this year’s honorees
By ALEC HARVEY — Photos by BLAIR RAMSEY
Winners in seven categories and five chosen for Lifetime Achievement were honored at a luncheon in Birmingham on Friday, Feb. 28, as part of the Business Alabama Awards.
Scott Carpenter and Brittany Decker were emcees for the event at the Harbert Center.
Winners and finalists in the seven competitive categories were:
• CEO of the Year – Dr. Ray Watts of the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Finalists: Jim Gorrie, Brasfield & Gorrie; Billy Harbert,
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Dr. Ray Watts of the University of Alabama at Birmingham; Lifetime achievement recipient Dr. Jesse Lewis Sr.; emcees Brittany Decker and Scott Carpenter of WVTM 13.
BL Harbert International; Macke Mauldin, BancIndependent Inc.; and John Turner, Regions Bank.
• Large Company of the Year – Austal USA; Finalists: Honda, Huntsville Hospital, PCH Hotels & Resorts and Robins & Morton.
• Small Company of the Year – Y’all Sweet Tea; Finalists: Challenge Testing, ProxsysRX, Rolin Construction and WM Grocery.
• Alabama Expat of the Year – Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Oc-
cidental Petroleum; Finalists: Karan Dyson, vice president for Global Grooming Process & Engineering at Procter & Gamble – Gillette; Janet Gurwitch, founder and former CEO of Laura Mercier Cosmetics & Skincare; Sara Rademaker, founder and CEO of American Unagi; and Michielle Sego-Johnson, vice president of Inflight Services and Catering Operations at United Airlines.
• Startup of the Year – NephSol; Finalists: Etch, Forsee, Wunderfan and Zone Protects.
• Project of the Year – MLB at Rickwood Field; Finalists: Alabama Community College System Workforce Development Centers, Bryce Hospital renovation, First Solar in Lawrence County, Hood-McPherson Building renovation, J.M. Smucker plant in McCalla, MartinFederal Consulting part of $8 billion FBI contract, Runergy opens, Samkee opens and Toyota builds 10 millionth engine.
• Philanthropic Project of the Year – Doc Rock, University of South Alabama; Finalists: Black Belt Community Foundation, Kinetic Cup at Kinetic, Baldwin Bone & Joint’s Many More Miles Shoe Drive and Thompson Burton’s work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Lifetime Achievement recipients were:
• Charles Anderson, chairman emeritus of the companies founded by the
TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Chera Howard, founder and CEO of Forsee; the team from PCH Hotels & Resorts; Lifetime achievement recipient Dr. Regina Benjamin. BOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT: Terry Anderson, accepting lifetime achievement accolades for his father, Charles Anderson; Olivia Bruno and Sydney Ringold of NephSol; and Darien Craig and Brandon Echols of Y’all Sweet Tea.
Anderson family, including Anderson Media, TNT Fireworks, Books-AMillion and Anderson Press.
• George Barber Jr., former owner of Barber Dairies, chairman of the Barber Companies, and founder of the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum.
• Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. surgeon general and founder and CEO of Bayou Clinic in Bayou La Batre.
• Jim Hudson, co-founder and chairman emeritus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and founder and former CEO of Research Genetics.
• Dr. Jesse Lewis Sr., founder and publisher emeritus of The Birmingham Times, chairman of Agency 54 and author of “One Man’s Opinion: Together We Can Do This.”
“This is our chance to honor the best in Alabama business,” said Alec Harvey, executive editor of Business Alabama magazine. “Our winners and finalists showcase the range of talent and success in Alabama, from north Alabama to the Gulf Coast.”
Business Alabama took nominations for the Business Alabama Awards, and a selection committee named a winner and finalists in each category.
Alabama's Incubators
Listed in alphabetical order. Sources: Business Alabama surveys and incubator websites. INCUBATOR/ CONTACT
B.C. Hornady Industrial Incubator
Darlene Thompson, Executive Director 188 Sheffield Rd. Monroeville, AL 36460
Bessemer Business Incubation System
Devron Veasley, Executive Director
Black Belt Development Center
Allison Brantley, Director of Economic Development
The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship
Lisa Davis Mays, CEO
Covington County Business Development Center
Rick Clifton, CEO
Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center
John Joseph IV, Executive Director
The Edge - Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute
Theresa Welbourne, Executive Director
Enterprise Business Incubator Jesse Quillen, Executive Director
AL 35022
Station 45 28 Franklin St. Livingston, AL 35470
Bill Benton Ln. Andalusia, AL 36421
10th Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Commerce Dr. Enterprise, AL 36330
The Generator Student Incubator at the University of North Alabama Mitch Hamm, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 541 W. College St. Florence, AL 35632
Hatch Fairhope Rick Miller, Center Director 36 N. Section St. Fairhope, AL 36532
I85 Cyber.org - Launch & Learn
Labs Tech/Creative Accelerator
Boyd Stephens, Founder
Innovation Center
8150 Old Federal Rd. Montgomery, AL 36117
Markedrick Dawson, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurial Development 1 48th St. Valley, AL 36854
labama’s reputation for manufacturing excellence and innovation was on full display at the recent Design and Construction Week (DCW) in Las Vegas, where several companies from across the state showcased their latest products and services.
From cabinetry and countertops to media solutions and construction software, these Alabama-based businesses demonstrated the strength and diversity of the state’s contributions to the home design and remodeling industry.
Held from February 25-27, DCW 2025 — which included the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) — attracted more than 124,000 attendees and featured more than 2,500 exhibitors across 1.2 million net square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This premier trade event for the home construction, kitchen and bath industries draws exhibitors and attendees from around the world, making it a prime platform for Alabama businesses to gain national and international exposure. This year, 10 companies from Alabama brought their own perspectives and expertise to the show.
The strong presence of Alabama companies at IBS-KBIS 2025 highlights the state’s expanding role in the home design
and remodeling sector. From advanced manufacturing and software solutions to premium materials and innovative marketing, Alabama businesses are making a significant impact on both national and global markets.
UDA TECHNOLOGIES, AUBURN WWW.UDATECHNOLOGIES.COM | UDA Technologies is a provider of construction technologies, software, application development and architectural services for construction professionals in the United States, Canada and 75 countries worldwide. The company presented its latest advancements in project management tools, ConstructionOnline at DCW, offering seamless solutions for builders, remodelers and designers. UDA continues to bridge the gap between technology and the construction industry, making projects more efficient and cost-effective.
“IBS is a vital event for our company — not just as an opportunity to showcase our latest technology, but as a platform for meaningful conversations with industry leaders,” says Jennifer Stevens,
Legacy Cabinets displayed its Presidential Series at the trade show.
vice president of UDA Technologies in Auburn. “It allows us to see firsthand the evolving needs of construction professionals and ensure that ConstructionOnline continues to deliver the tools and insights they need to thrive. The energy and enthusiasm at IBS reaffirmed our commitment to providing best-in-class solutions that empower construction businesses of all sizes.”
CES INDUSTRIES, ALEXANDER CITY
WWW.CESINDUSTRIES.NET | A custom manufacturer and converter of chipboard, floor protection and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) components for a variety of industries, CES Industries also offers a range of services including bundling, carton packing, precision sheeting, private label, custom cutting and laminating, die cutting, lamination, sheet to sheet lamination, sheeting and warehousing.
“Being a first-time exhibitor at the International Builders’ Show, we engaged face-to-face with the top leaders in the industry and captured the right audience at the right time,” says Julie Harbin,
operations manager at CES Industries.
“Relationships were cultivated with new customers from numerous different countries. The IBS was a successful event and a must see for any small or large business in the industry!”
GAMETIME,
FORT PAYNE
WWW.GAMETIME.COM | Known for its high-quality outdoor play and recreation products, GameTime made its mark at IBS-KBIS 2025 with its innovative designs catered to homeowners and commercial developers alike.
This was the second year GameTime exhibited at the show, says Christine Ballenger, product manager and marketing with the company, who added that they were impressed by the sheer size of the event.
“We are relative rookies, but we plan to show again next year when the show will be held in Orlando.”
FIRE ROCK PRODUCTS, BIRMINGHAM
WWW.FIREROCK.US | Fire Rock Products, a provider of high-end masonry and building materials, showcased its premium outdoor and indoor fireplaces and concrete pavers at DCW. Their presence at the show emphasized the company’s commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, appealing to designers and builders looking for high-performance building materials.
The company was founded on fireplaces but also offers a wide range of products including flooring, pavers, slate roofing and steel windows and doors.
OVERSEAS HARDWOODS CO., MOBILE
WWW.OHC.NET | Overseas Hardwoods Co., OHC, was founded by T. Lee Robinson Sr. in 1967 to focus on importing and manufacturing the toughest and most beautiful hardwoods available throughout the world.
GameTime in Fort Payne built this rattlesnake tunnel and slide for a park in Fort McDowell, Arizona.
Ten Alabama companies were among those showing off products at the International Builders’ Show.
Hexagon’s Cabinet Vision displayed its manufacturing software. Photo by Jennifer Williams.
For decades, OHC has been the market leader for Apitong / Keruing hardwood trailer flooring to the transportation industry, including the patented Road Load Tested full-length floor for flatbeds. The company also imports a wide variety of species for decking, millwork and marine applications and features more than half a million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space with locations across the United States.
V3 MEDIA GROUP, OPELIKA
HTTPS://V3MG.COM | V3 Media Group is an award-winning design, development and marketing agency based in Opelika.
Starting as a logistics business in 2004, V3 pivoted to custom software applications and functional websites, automating the logistics brokering industry.
At DCW 2025, V3 Media Group showcased what they could do for the design and construction industries.
CABINET VISION –HEXAGON, TUSCALOOSA
HTTPS://HEXAGON.
COM | Cabinet Vision, a division of Hexagon, features a fully modular software package to go from design to manufacture, simplifying the process for all furniture, woodworking or casegood manufacturers.
At IBS-KBIS, the firm showcased its state-of-the-art software and partnered with Vortek Spaces, which creates interactive 3D presentations and offers virtual reality renderings to bring designed spaces to life.
LEGACY CABINETS, EASTABOGA
WWW.LEGACYCABINETS.COM | A mainstay in the cabinetry industry, Legacy Cabinets displayed its latest Presidential Series Collection, emphasizing craftsmanship, customization and sustainability.
Founded in 1994, Legacy Cabinets continues to grow its footprint and uses the latest technologies to offer a large selection of door styles, finishes and modern accessories to accommodate any design style and budget.
WELLBORN CABINET, ASHLAND
WWW.WELLBORN.COM | Wellborn Cabinet is a family-owned and operated kitchen and bath cabinetry manufacturer in Ashland.
Established in 1961, Wellborn continues to strive for the finest quality, becoming a nationally recognized name in the industry. Wellborn’s booth at KBIS 2025 featured a new Interactive Design Lab and vignettes to allow visitors to view and gather ideas from designs only seen by the industry’s top designers and builders.
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, ORANGE BEACH
COLUMBIASOUTHERN.EDU | Columbia Southern University offers safety degrees completely online, covering a range of subjects such as hazardous materials management, construction safety, OSH safety training and accident investigation. The associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs are designed to provide a comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety and health standards.
These offerings prompted the school to have its first booth at the show this year. “But we determined [IBS-KBIS] wasn’t necessarily for us,” says Sherri Twitty, Columbia Southern’s corporate outreach director. “There were more home builders and contractors rather than folks who were interested in going to school. But we did benefit by making connections and we plan to start conversations about having some exposure within different states’ home building organizations.”
Jennifer G. Williams is a Hartselle-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
Birmingham-based Fire Rock displayed its indoor and outdoor fireplaces.
CES Industries in Alexander City displayed its custom flooring.
UDA Technologies, based in Auburn, demonstrated its construction software.
Accounting For Change
The more the government changes, the more you need a plan
By KATHY HAGOOD
Businesses and individuals will want to watch for legislative changes in light of the new federal administration in case those taxpayers need to make adjustments to tax and estate planning strategies, recommend experts who led a Birmingham-based Kassouf & Co. Inc. tax and estate planning workshop earlier this year.
One of the biggest impacts for 2025 might be whether certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are allowed to expire at the end of this year, says Joel C. Jones, CPA, a director in Kassouf’s business services group. “Things are uncertain but manageable,” he says. “It will take legislation to change things. When it happens will depend on the urgency. We have the same president as in 2016, so it stands to reason that his priorities (to reduce taxes) will be similar to last time.”
Jones’ workshop co-leader, attorney Sarah Johnston, a shareholder in Birmingham-based Dentons Sirote’s trusts, estates and wealth preservation section, agrees but emphasizes that those without an estate or business succession plan shouldn’t wait for things to settle down on the tax front to create a plan.
“Situations are always changing, and you can make adjustments, but without a plan now you potentially could limit your future options (because of choices being made without an adviser’s input on tax-reducing strategies),” she says.
The House of Representatives passed a budget resolution addressing tax changes in February, setting up a reconciliation
Dentons Sirote’s Sarah Johnston speaks at Kassouf’s tax and estate planning workshop this winter.
process with the Senate, which had previously passed a smaller, related budget bill. That process could lead to the extension of the 2017 tax cuts and making other cuts, including not taxing tips and Social Security payments. Details of a potential joint bill were in the process of being worked out at press time.
Jones says the Tax Cut and Jobs Act was “the largest tax overhaul in 30 years.” One major provision of note that isn’t expiring is the corporate income tax rate reduction from a maximum of 35% to a flat rate of 21%.
However, individual income tax rates, which the act reduced by several percent in each tax bracket, potentially could be allowed to expire. That would affect short-term capital gains and influence the timing of better income and deduction choices, he says. “With DOGE cutting spending the budget could be reduced, which would make the case for less tax,” Jones says. “Politics can be unpredictable, so we will need to continue to monitor the situation.”
Other act provisions affecting individuals subject to expiration at the end of the year include:
• The standard deduction, which could revert to much lower 2018 levels with adjustments for inflation. That change could motivate more people to itemize their deductions.
• The Alternative Minimum Tax deduction and phase-out threshold, which affects high-income earners, would revert to pre-act levels, increasing taxes for those taxpayers.
• The Child Tax Credit could revert back to $1,000, which would create
more tax burden to households with children.
• Currently the maximum State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) is limited to $10,000. If the provision expires, there will be no limit except the limit for itemized deductions in general. This provision could have greatest impact for increased deductions for those who live in states, such as California and New York, with the highest state and local taxes.
• Unless the Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions ceiling of 2% is again suspended, taxpayers will not be able to take advantage of the extra deduction they might receive. Similarly, deductions for mortgage interest and charitable contributions could be reduced.
Act provisions affecting businesses that are subject to expiration at the end of the year include:
• The qualified business income deduction of 20% for a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship after December 31 this year. The deduction was created to help equalize tax treatment of those entities with that of C corporations as the act’s tax reductions remain permanent for C corporations.
• Deferral of gains for Qualified Opportunity Zones, which affects investments in economically distressed communities. Because this provision is popular with both Republicans and Democrats, it will likely be extended, Jones says.
• Deduction for on-premise meals
for employees.
• Bonus depreciation for assets put in service after Dec. 31, 2026, with few exceptions.
For those considering the purchase of an electronic vehicle, time might be of the essence in getting a tax break, Jones says. President Donald Trump has come out publicly many times against the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit, and bills addressing it already have been introduced. Those interested in purchasing one might want to monitor the status of the current tax credit, he suggests. “It will require legislative action to end the credit rather than an executive order,” Jones says.
When it comes to estate planning and the Tax and Job Acts expirations, the biggest impacts might be on the estate tax/lifetime gift exemption and transfers to non-spouses, anyone to whom an individual is not married, says Johnston, who focuses on estate planning and helping clients reduce the impact of transfer taxes assessed when assets are moved from one owner to another. “I’m looking at things from the perspective of the wealthy client planning for estate and business succession, transferring to trusts, and addressing appreciation of illiquid assets,” she says.
The 2017 act’s $10 million gift exemption might be extended through a budget reconciliation bill, or if the provision’s expiration is unaddressed by the end of the year, reduced to $5 million. The level of transfers not taxed could drop from $13.99 million this year to $5 to $7 million in 2026. “A surviving spouse may elect to use a deceased spouse’s unused exemption amount, but that has to be set up right
It will take legislation to change things. When it happens will depend on the urgency. We have the same president as in 2016, so it stands to reason that his priorities (to reduce taxes) will be similar to last time.”
— Joel C. Jones, CPA, a director in Kassouf’s business services group
“My first question to clients is what their goals are, what do they want for their legacy, what are they comfortable with? Most want to reduce the tax burden on their legacy, but not all.”
— Sarah Johnston, a shareholder in Birmingham-based Dentons Sirote’s trusts, estates and wealth preservation section
after the spouse dies,” Johnston notes. Business owners and property owners especially are vulnerable to lost options if they wait to plan, Johnston says. They may assume they don’t have enough assets to need to plan because they are only considering the wealth of their investment accounts and other liquid assets. But their business and property values are appreciating all the time. “A good rule of thumb is that assets that grow 7% a year will double in 10 years and those that grow at only 5% will still double in 17 years,”
she says.
Johnston stresses the importance of planning now to protect the future of assets regardless of how tax legislation ultimately works out. “My first question to clients is what their goals are, what do they want for their legacy, what are they comfortable with?” Johnston says. “Most want to reduce the tax burden on their legacy, but not all.”
Both Johnston and Jones say some of the biggest mistakes individuals and businesses tend to make in general when
it comes to taxes, no matter what the administration, is not taking time to consult with their accountant and estate planning attorney before making major financial changes such as the sale of a property.
“The way a property sale is structured up front can make a huge difference as far as the tax implications,” Jones says. “When you call after the fact, you may significantly limit your options.”
Kathy Hagood is a Homewood-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
Alabama's Largest Accounting Firms
WHAT IF?
Just-in-case advice for handling problems with the books
By NANCY RANDALL
Your business is rockin’ it. Revenues are strong, and you are staying steps ahead of your competitors.
But today, your in-house accountant came to you with a mistake in your recent financial statement. In a panic, you call your CPA for some higher-level expertise.
Carlos McDonald, managing director at Pearce, Bevill, Leesburg, Moore, a Birmingham CPA firm, notes that these issues run the gamut. “It could be a hundred different things,” he says, when describing the most common problems he’s seen over the years.
A manufacturer might overstate or understate its inventory, accounts payable or accounts receivable, McDonald says, by either “manipulation or a true mistake.”
A client working on a contract could make a mistake in calculating the expected completion date of the contract.
A client may fail to file 1099s with their contractors, McDonald explains.
So, what comes next when a mistake is discovered?
It’s time for a conversation between the client and CPA to quantify the mistake or omission and make a plan to fix it, McDonald says. The plan includes guiding the client based on current regulations, along with correcting the return or financial statement where the mistake occurred, he explains.
“Sometimes it’s so immaterial, like a nickel’s difference, and we just move forward. But, $1 may be material for you [whereas] $100,000 is material for someone else,” he notes.
Making every dollar count is crucial for nonprofit organizations whose funding sources are central to their operations. This focus was heightened when President Donald Trump formed DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency — to drastically cut government spending. These actions could include potential cuts to federal grants on which nonprofits depend.
Micah Wheeler, partner at Wilkins Miller, a CPA firm in Mobile, knows this sector well. He works on audits of United Way
“We continued to see that the area of taxes was a particularly risky area for companies in terms of the guidance complexity and ultimately the proper recording and disclosure of those amounts.”
— Karen Miller, director of the Master of Tax Accounting program at the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama
partner agencies, specifically organizations that are focused on health and welfare and receive funding via federal grants.
“[The federal cuts are] bringing to the forefront that [these agencies] need to understand their finances [so] that if they were to lose a significant funding source, they would have information at their fingertips to pivot and go to other funding sources,” Wheeler says.
One of the common problems Wheeler has seen: Nonprofits aren’t tracking the real cost of their programs. “They aren’t seeing the true cost of each initiative, and so they don’t know how much their restricted funding is being used to cover the additional costs that are above and beyond what’s covered by a grant program,” he notes.
Some nonprofit leaders are more experienced with social work than financial management. To bridge this gap, Wheeler and his team help these leaders implement technologies that enable a more efficient accounting function. “Then they get the information that they didn’t have previously,” he explains. Armed with this data, pivoting is easier.
“Our focus is to help companies navigate their financial reporting tasks and be successful doing things the right way [by following] compliance standards and other guidance.”
— Micah Wheeler, partner at Wilkins Miller
Another more serious problem — outside the nonprofit sector — involved a wholesale distribution client that buys product from a manufacturer. When Wheeler and team reviewed the client’s books, they found that the business had not adjusted the cost of its obsolete inventory.
The details resembled this scenario, Wheeler explains:
• The company, based on market demand at the time, built up an inventory of widgets costing $50 each.
• Demand for the product waned, and the same widgets were sold for only $10 each.
• However, the company still had the widgets valued at $50 each in its inventory.
In essence, the client was overstating its assets, Wheeler says. “We were able to correct that, and it had a significant impact in [reducing] their tax burden.”
He also notes that an overstatement of assets can have a negative impact on a company’s financials which, in turn, can negatively impact relationships with lenders if the company fails to make a timely correction to its books.
“Our focus is to help companies navigate their financial reporting tasks and be successful doing things the right way [by following] compliance standards and other guidance,” Wheeler explains. “It might not always be a comfortable message to communicate, but that can be the role that we play.”
McDonald, of the Birmingham firm, notes an altogether different issue that is impacting CPA firms and, by extension, their clients: manpower. “There aren’t enough CPAs [coming up through the ranks] to fill the open slots,” McDonald notes, adding that some potential accounting students only hear about
the long hours required of a CPA vs. the benefits, like managing your own schedule.
But according to the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama, the number of students in the accounting pipeline is on the rise. Over the past 18 months, the college’s undergraduate enrollment in accounting classes has “significantly increased,” paired with a large increase in graduate program enrollment, according to Karen Miller, director of the Master of Tax Accounting program at the CCB. “We are hoping this will help make the shortage situation not as severe,” she says.
Miller attributes the uptick in accounting students to strong salary growth in the profession. Exposing younger students, as early as middle school, to the profession and its benefits may also factor in the rise.
The CCB curriculum focuses on preparing students for the real-life client issues they will face once they begin working. Particularly helpful is a graduate-level course, Accounting for Income Taxes, that was developed in response to comments by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Miller explains. “We continued to see that the area of taxes was a particularly risky area for companies in terms of the guidance complexity and ultimately the proper recording and disclosure of those amounts,” she says.
During the course, students undertake a large case study of one company, tracking it over four years, Miller says. Year one is the company’s formation year. With each successive year, the company grows and expands, facing new challenges that require assessing new risks.
For example, the company may set up a new location in another state or establish a new product line. “The case study gives the students exposure not only to changes within the company’s operating structure, but potential changes like when Congress may enact new tax legislation. [The students determine] how they would handle the impact of that legislation from a client’s viewpoint and assess what that [impact] will be with future tax payments,” Miller explains.
The case study uses real client financial statements. The students have to identify potential areas of concern like errors or inconsistencies, she says, including checking calculations used to prepare the financial statements.
The payoff in developing the course? “A number of our grads who are new staff at accounting firms tell us that they immediately used the knowledge we covered in that case study to help with their client-related tasks,” Miller notes.
Nancy Randall is a Tuscaloosa-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
Blount, Etowah and St. Clair Counties
by KATHERINE MacGILVRAY
Nestled together in northcentral Alabama, Blount, Etowah and St. Clair counties benefit from their proximity to interstates, railroads, airports and the Birmingham and Huntsville metropolitan areas. Leading industries in the three counties are automotive suppliers, metalworking, agriculture and food processing, health care, higher education and tourism.
Etowah County continues to make progress on developing the Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite. The 1,100-acre site lies adjacent to I-59 and Norfolk Southern Railway. Most recently, the county received a $4.6 million Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grant from the Alabama Department of Commerce that, along with a $3.45 million local match from American Rescue Plan funds, will allow the county to fully extend water service to the megasite, ultimately connecting to a new 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank. It also will pay for sewer infrastructure.
Officials in Rainbow City broke ground on the Challenger Learning Center last fall. The STEM-focused school is the first of its kind in Alabama and will feature a simulator where middle and high school students can role-play during a realistic simulated space mission. Nearby, the city also is building a
40,620-square-foot recreation center.
In St. Clair County, SEEDS funding totaling $2.5 million is helping smaller communities develop industry-ready sites to attract new business. The Commercial Development Authority in Moody received $407,902 in SEEDS funding to extend sewer service to a new 192-acre park located just off I-20 and the St. Clair Industrial Development Board received $2.1 million to acquire a 250-acre railserved commerce park along I-59 in Springville.
Businesses in Pell City have been expanding their footprints. Douglas Manufacturing announced a nearly $11.7 million expansion of its production facility that is expected to create 50 new jobs; Ford Meter Box announced plans for a $23.2 million expansion; and Allied Mineral Products broke ground on a $23.5 million expansion that will add a 200,000-square-foot production facility.
Blount County opened a new Multi-Purpose Center in Cleveland last fall. The facility will be used for rodeos, fairs and livestock shows. It also houses the offices of the Blount County’s Extension, Economic Development Council, Tourism Office and Advanced Ag Academy. The site of the former agri-business center in Oneonta will become a regional sports complex.
A new shopping center is under development in Oneonta, the county seat.
Flowing through all three of these counties, the Coosa River provides both recreation opportunities and power generation.
The property will feature national chains Marshalls, Five Below, Ulta and Rack Room Shoes, with potential for additional stores. It also includes several outparcel lots for future development.
Each county is served by local community colleges and nearby two- and four-year institutions that offer a variety of degree programs and technical and career training opportunities to build and maintain a highly skilled workforce. In Etowah County, Gadsden State Community College celebrated the opening of a new $24 million Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center. Jefferson State Community College’s St. Clair-Pell City campus continues to expand its “fast track” short-certificate program offerings and recently introduced a 15-week Women in Welding scholarship program. In Blount County, Wallace State Community College’s Oneonta campus graduated its first nursing cohort in August 2024 and has expanded its workforce training options with the addition of a full-time CDL instructor.
Residents and visitors alike find plenty of ways to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and charm.
Blount County is home to three of Alabama’s 13 covered bridges and holds a Covered Bridge Festival each October. Rickwood Caverns State Park features a mile of underground caverns with 260-million-year-old limestone forma-
Blount County
St. Clair County
Etowah County
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Shelby County: $93,543
Madison County: $83,528
St. Clair County: $78,993
Baldwin County: $75,019
Jefferson County: $64,589
Blount County: $61,096
Montgomery County: $58,153
Mobile County: $58,119
Talladega County: $56,249
Calhoun County: $55,826
Etowah County: $53,070
DeKalb County: $51,149
tions. The Locust Fork River is popular for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden offers plenty of family-friendly outdoor recreation, and Christmas at the Falls is one of the community’s biggest tourism revenue earners, drawing more than 100,000 visitors each year. Gadsden is preparing to break ground on a $20 million mixed-use
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
POPULATION Total Alabama Population: 5,108,468
Jefferson County: 662,895
Madison County: 412,600
Mobile County: 411,640
Baldwin County: 253,507
Shelby County: 233,000
Montgomery County: 224,980
Calhoun County: 116,429
Etowah County: 103,241
St. Clair County: 95,522
Talladega County: 81,132
DeKalb County: 72,569
Blount County: 59,816
development along the Coosa River. Patrick Lawler, the developer behind Gunterville’s City Harbor Project, is leading the development. The city is also developing the Downtown Gadsden Greenway with funds awarded by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership.
Historic sites, museums and a wide
variety of outdoor activities make St. Clair County a top recreational destination. Logan Martin Lake, with its 17,000 acres, offers residents and visitors swimming, boating and more. New restaurants and travel facilities are in the works.
Katherine MacGilvray is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Economic Engines
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIERS / METALS
In Etowah County, Fehrer Automotive supplies components for vehicle interiors for Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa and Volkswagen in Chattanooga. Prince Metal Stampings and Choice Fabricators Inc. specialize in metal stamping, welded assembly and electrocoating for the automotive industry. Koller-Craft South specializes in injection molded plastic automotive components. Inteva’s Gadsden facility manufactures products ranging from armrests, consoles and instrument panels to glove boxes, window regulators and motors. C, G, and J Inc. manufactures full lines of all-aluminum charge air coolers, oil coolers and radiators.
In St. Clair County, automotive suppliers WKW North America, Eissmann Group Automotive and Unipres Alabama
BUSINESS
JANUARY 2025: QuikTrip breaks ground on a new travel center on I-59 in Ashville. The facility is expected to open in the Spring of 2026 and create two dozen jobs.
DECEMBER 2024: The Gadsden City Council approves site preparation for $20 million Coosa Harbor mixed-use development project.
are among the county’s top manufacturing employers. In Steele, Meyer Utility Structures manufactures large utility poles. And in Pell City, Valtir, a global supplier of highway safety products, and Garrison Steel, which specializes in structural steel fabrication for clients throughout the Southeast, are also top employers. In January, Indiana-based Ford Meter Box, a manufacturer of underground waterworks products, announced plans for a $23 million expansion of its facility in Pell City, and in February, Douglas Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of conveyor system components, announced plans for an expansion of its Pell City facility, valued at nearly $11.7 million and creating 50 jobs.
Louis Allis, which makes specialty electric motors, operates a manufacturing facility in Blount County. Metal sup-
DECEMBER 2024: The Pell City Council approves a development incentive package that will bring an Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse to the city.
OCTOBER 2024: Gadsden receives $2.97 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the Downtown Gadsden Greenway project.
OCTOBER 2024: Etowah County receives a $4.6 million SEEDS grant to help construct approximately three miles of water transmission main to serve the NEAR Megasite.
JUNE 2024: Gadsden State Community College opens the Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center on the East Broad Campus. The center will house the mechatronics, industrial automation,
TAXES
PROPERTY TAX
Not including city or school millage
BLOUNT COUNTY: 16 mills
ETOWAH COUNTY: 14.5 mills
ST. CLAIR COUNTY: 11 mills
STATE OF ALABAMA 6.5 mills
SALES TAX
BLOUNT COUNTY: 3%
Cities within the county:
Allgood: 3%
Blountsville: 2%
Cleveland: 2%
Hayden: 2%
Highland Lake: 3%
Locust Fork: 2%
Oneonta: 3%
Snead: 2%
Susan Moore: 2%
ETOWAH COUNTY: 1%
Cities within the county: Altoona: 5%
Attalla: 5%
Gadsden: 5%
Hokes Bluff: 5%
Rainbow City: 5%
Reece City: 3%
Ridgeville: 2%
Sardis City: 5%
Southside: 5%
Walnut Grove: 3%
ST. CLAIR COUNTY: 2%
Cities within the county: Ashville: 4%
Margaret: 4%
Moody: 4%
Odenville: 4%
Pell City: 5%
Ragland: 4%
Riverside: 4%
Springville: 4%
Steele: 2%
STATE OF ALABAMA: 4%
Source: Alabama Department of Revenue
Allied Mineral celebrates its $23.5 million expansion in Pell City.
pliers in the county include Tennessee Valley Metals, Stephens Pipe & Steel, Hornsby Steel and Jones Valley Fabrication. Alabama Guardrail celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024; the company specializes in installing and repairing highway guardrails, denied access fencing and overhead and traffic control signs. PSStech LLC manufactures a range of precision machining solutions, including 5-axis milling, Y-axis turning and CNC plasma cutting.
AGRICULTURE / FOOD SERVICE
Poultry processors Koch Foods and Tyson Foods are among the top 10 largest employers in Etowah County. Vending machine supplier Buffalo Rock’s Gadsden facility serves Cherokee, Dekalb, Etowah, Marshall and parts of Blount, Calhoun, Jackson and St. Clair counties, and last year, K-VA-T Food Stores celebrated the opening of its second Food City store in Gadsden. Dean Sausage Co. has operated out of Atalla since 1955 and supplies grocery stores throughout the South. In St. Clair County, the food service sector is also represented. In 2024, Moody-based Red Diamond Coffee and Tea launched Morris & Park, a collection of eight flavors of single-serve teas. The name of the new product line is a nod to the company’s Birmingham roots, combining the name of its first office location on Morris Avenue with its current address on Park Avenue. The company also expanded its ready-to-serve iced tea line in 2023, when it launched a new sweet tea
and lemonade product. In January, Midas Foods International announced it had acquired J.M. Exotic Foods, a manufacturer of spices, seasonings and specialty food products; Midas said the company’s 50,000-square-foot facility in Moody will remain in place. Food ingredient supplier Processor’s Choice is also headquartered in Moody; the company operates four regional warehouses and ships to more than 20 states. In Pell City, meat processor Royal Foods offers more than 50 products and supplies customers in 10 Southern states.
Tyson Foods is the largest industrial employer in Blount County.
ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURERS
Vulcan Industries in Moody specializes in designing, engineering and manufacturing custom retail displays and store fixtures. Cintas in Gadsden provides a work uniform rental program and laundry services for businesses. Selma-based American Apparel, a manufacturer of combat and utility uniforms for the armed services, operates a facility in Oneonta.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Community colleges in each county offer a variety of programs and workforce certifications for in-demand jobs.
Gadsden State Community College offers 65 programs that can be completed in two years or less and prepare graduates for direct entry into the workforce.
In addition to career and technical training degree programs, Jefferson State Community College’s St. Clair-Pell City
campus offers many short-certificate programs that provide non-credit workforce training that can be completed between six weeks and six months.
And Wallace State Community College’s Oneonta campus is expanding its workforce training options with the addition of a full-time CDL instructor. It also has a robust adult education program and offers free ESL and GED classes.
HEALTH CARE
Health care facilities in all three counties are listed among the top employers. With more than 1,000 employees, the Gadsden Regional Medical Center is the largest employer in Etowah County. Gadsden is also home to Riverview Regional Medical Center, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Gadsden and Mountain View Hospital.
In November 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority assumed ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System in central Alabama, including hospitals in St. Clair and Blount counties.
TOURISM
Visitors are drawn to the three counties for hiking, biking, golf and a variety of other outdoor activities. The scenic Locust Fork River is popular for whitewater rafting; Rickwood Caverns is famous for its “miracle mile” of underground caverns; and Logan Martin Lake and Neely Henry Lake offer an abundance of largemouth and spotted bass for anglers.
JUNE 2024: Allied Mineral Products breaks ground on a $23.5 million expansion of its Pell City plant that produces a variety of heat containment and refractory products used in industrial applications. The project will add a 200,000-square-foot production facility and create 13 new jobs.
MAY 2024: Gadsden State Community College announces a $7.9 million renovation of the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center and academic wing, with new studio space, computer labs, restrooms, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, plus an updated entrance.
APRIL 2024: Gadsden State Community College breaks ground on a $10 million baseball-softball complex.
JANUARY 2024: Ford Meter Box announces plans for a $23.2 million expansion of its Pell City facility. The Indiana-based manufacturer of underground waterworks products will build a new 60,000-square-foot building and invest in new equipment to allow for fabrication of largediameter steel components and increased production capacity.
OCTOBER 2024: Two St. Clair County communities, Moody and Springville, received
funding from the SEEDS program totaling $2.5 million as part of an initiative to help smaller communities develop industry-ready sites to attract new businesses.
SEPTEMBER 2023: Shivaay Hospitality LLC breaks ground on an 89-room Marriott TownePlace Suites in Pell City. It will be St. Clair County’s first Marriott brand.
Movers & Shapers
DESTINY ALLMAN GLADDEN is a fifth-generation farmer at Allman Farms and Orchards in Oneonta where she is the food safety manager and store manager. She also founded Take Root Solutions, a food safety consulting business for farms looking to become Food Safety Modernization Act or Good Agricultural Practices certified. Gladden serves on Blount County’s 4-H Adult Advisory Board, Multi-Purpose Center Advisory Board and Fair Committee and is a member of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers board. She earned an associate’s degree at Snead State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
and political science from the University of Alabama. After graduating from the Birmingham School of Law in 2012, Hall worked for a local law firm before beginning a career in the insurance industry.
BLAIR GOODGAME is director of tourism for the St. Clair Economic Development Council. She is a graduate of Auburn University, is a licensed Alabama Auctioneer and has earned Travel Marketing Professional and Festival and Events Planner certifications through the Southeastern Tourism Society. Goodgame also serves as trustee for the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, is a board member for Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve Partners, a graduate of Leadership St. Clair and the Alabama Leadership Initiative and is an active member of the Pell City Rotary Club.
SCOTT W. HASSELL is Judge of Probate for Etowah County. Earlier, he worked as a mental health provider in public, private and nonprofit sectors. In addition to a Ph.D. in cognitive and behavioral psychology, Hassell holds numerous mental health provider certifications including as a mental health coach/interventionist. He is a lifetime member of the National College of Probate Judges, a member of the Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association, the American Legion (Post 5) and a professional member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He also is active in the Alabama Probate Judges Association.
PHILIP HALL is president and CEO of the Etowah Chamber. Hall was born and raised in the Rainbow City/Gadsden area and earned his bachelor’s degree in history
JONATHON W. HORTON is Etowah County Sheriff. Earlier, he was chief of police in Glencoe and Rainbow City and served with the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit. He spent 10 years in the military with the U.S. Navy, Alabama Army National Guard and U.S. Army military police. As sheriff, Horton has implemented D.A.R.E. and Neighborhood Watch,
provided school resource deputies and bolstered training. He serves on Etowah County’s 911, drug enforcement and community corrections boards and the Special Programming for Achievement Network board. He is a graduate of Gadsden State Community College and the National Sheriffs Institute.
ERIC HOUSH is chief growth officer at Fast Slow Motion, a business management consultant. He also is a founding member of the Logan Martin Charity Foundation,
co-producer of the Logan Martin Lakefest and Boat Show and serves on the board of directors for America’s First Federal Credit Union. Housh attended Birmingham-Southern College and earned an MBA from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
BRIAN MUENGER is city manager for Pell City, where he has been credited with driving a decade of rapid growth. He has a team of 220 employees and manages a budget of more than $30 million, a figure that has doubled since he took the city manager position in 2015. He also serves as president-elect of the Rotary Club and volunteers for a variety of causes, including health care, animal welfare and arts and culture.
ROBERT NAIL is county engineer for Etowah County, where he has worked since 2006. He began his career with the Calhoun County Highway Department in 1999 and has served two counties since then. Nail holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a licensed engineer and bridge inspector. He currently serves as vice president for the Association of County Engineers in Alabama and on the Etowah Communications E-911 board of directors.
LISA NICHOLS has worked in health care in a variety of roles for 30 years and is currently the hospital administrator of UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair. She serves on the board of directors for the St. Clair County Community Health Clinic and for Kid One. Nichols earned a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis.
JOHN REA is a partner at the law firm Trussell, Funderburg, Rea, Bell & Furgeson P.C. where he maintains an active litigation, government affairs and business law practice. He also serves as the city attorney for Pell City and represents and advises numerous other public entities, businesses and individuals, including the St. Clair County Board of Education. Rea is a member
and past president of the Pell City Rotary Club. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Yale Law School.
DR. MOLLY TIPTON is the owner and optometrist at Southern Vision Eye Care in downtown Oneonta and the author of the children’s book “A Pony Named Pickles.” Tipton attended Auburn University, where she earned her biomedical sciences degree and graduated with honors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Optometry School. She is vice chair for the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, the secretary-treasurer for the Oneonta Rotary Club and is active in the Oneonta Business Association. She also serves on the Alabama Optometric Association board and was selected to participate in the 2025 American Optometric Association Leadership Institute.
Prince Metal Stamping | GADSDEN Metal stamping • 385 employees
Choice Fabricators | RAINBOW CITY Automotive parts • 252 employees
LAUREN WILSON is in her 26th year in education, with a diverse career that has spanned several roles in both secondary and post-secondary education. She currently serves as the director of dual enrollment and director of the Oneonta Instructional Site of Wallace State Community College. She also serves on the board of the Blount County Literacy Council, the Covered Bridge Players at the Neely Theatre and the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce. Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree and educational specialist degree from Troy University.
Koller-Craft South | GADSDEN Automotive parts • 160 employees
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
WKW Erbsloeh | PELL CITY Automotive trim parts • 400 employees
Eissmann Automotive | PELL CITY Automotive interiors • 350 employees
Vulcan Industries | MOODY Custom store displays • 310 employees
Valtir | PELL CITY Highway safety products • 300 employees
Unipres | STEELE Automotive frame parts • 225 employees
Meyer Utility Structures | STEELE Large utility poles • 220 employees
Sources: Local economic development officials
Whether you’re exploring the trails, dining in our local eateries, or attending a festival, Blount County, AL’s friendly atmosphere ensures you’ll feel embraced by a community that’s always happy to have you.
Discover a lot.
Oneonta is the premier business hub of Blount County, making it the ideal location for companies looking to grow and succeed. As the county's main business district, Oneonta offers a thriving economy with a recent surge in nationwide retail development, bringing increased consumer traffic and economic opportunities. The city's commitment to growth is further supported by city-owned industrial acreage, ready for development and open to negotiation, providing industries with the space, resources, and existing utilities needed to expand. With a strategic location, strong infrastructure, and a pro-business environment, Oneonta is the perfect place for companies seeking long-term success.
At the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, we focus on supporting our local businesses, enhancing our community’s quality of life & creating networking opportunities. We believe that Blount County is the place to be. The county's strategic location and commitment to development has created the perfect environment for long-term success. The possibilities are endless. Let’s get started together.
Higher Education
GADSDEN STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Gadsden State Community College operates five campuses in Etowah, Calhoun and Cherokee counties and is one of six historically Black community colleges in the state. According to the school’s fall 2024 summary, its total enrollment was just over 5,000 students; the majority take classes online or at the Wallace Drive campus in Gadsden.
Among the school’s top programs are child development, civil engineering and technology, computer and information sciences, emergency medical technology, industrial maintenance technology, office administration, registered nursing, salon and spa management and welding. Sixty-five of the college’s programs can be completed in two years or less and prepare graduates for direct entry into the workforce. Top dual enrollment programs are electrical technology, emergency medical services, general studies, human services, mechanical design technology and welding technology.
In June 2024, the college opened a new Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center on the East Broad Campus. The $24 million center features 10 laboratories, seven classrooms, 11 offices, a multipurpose room, 10 tool and storage rooms, a storm shelter, a testing suite, a kitchen and serving area, a breakroom and six restroom areas. It also includes glass viewing areas for prospective students and industry partners. The college’s mechatronics, industrial automation, precision machining, mechanical design technology, additive manufacturing and electronics engineering programs are housed there.
In May 2024, the college announced plans for a large-scale renovation of the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center and academic wing. The nearly $7.9 million project will include a complete renovation of classrooms and studio space, renovations to the computer lab and restrooms and new electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems. Exterior renovations include an updated brick and precast facade, a new courtyard with lighting, new front entries for the Fine Arts Center and the academic wing and all new windows.
In April 2024, Gadsden State broke ground on a $10 million baseball-softball complex that will have synthetic turf, LED lighting, new scoreboards, locker rooms and restrooms, a concessions building, bleachers seating 150, press boxes and a covered hitting facility with three synthetic turf hitting and pitching lanes.
JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGEST. CLAIR-PELL CITY CAMPUS
Jefferson State Community College celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The school’s four campuses in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Chilton counties serve more than 14,300 students each year. On top of that, 3,650 high school students earn college credit through the school’s dual enrollment program and approximately 2,500 students receive workforce certification for indemand jobs in as little as six weeks. The college, along with its students and alumni, adds more than $574 million annually in income to its four-county service area.
Jefferson State’s St. Clair-Pell City campus opened in 2006 and has served more than 6,850 students in St. Clair County. It offers a variety of transfer programs and career and technical degree programs, including nursing, manufacturing and technology, mechatronics and welding.
The campus also offers many short-certificate programs that deliver non-credit workforce training for jobs such as welding, IT, commercial driver’s license, lineworker, heavy equipment operation, web development, certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician and more. These “fast track” offerings can be completed between six weeks and six months.
In August 2024, the St. Clair-Pell City campus introduced the Women in Welding scholarship program, made possible through a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama. The 15-week welding course covered all course expenses and provided transportation stipend and tools for 12 women participants.
WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - ONEONTA CAMPUS
Wallace State Community College’s Oneonta campus, an extension of the college’s main campus in Hanceville, offers a variety of academic and technical programs and courses that are designed to meet the educational and workforce needs of its community.
The Oneonta campus was established in 2016 in a building that has since been converted into a Technical Center. The Academic Center, located in downtown Oneonta next to the library, opened in 2019 and houses academic programs, classrooms, computer labs, science labs and administrative offices.
In response to high demand, Wallace State is expanding its workforce training options with the addition of a full-time CDL instructor. The college also has a robust adult education program serving Blount County, and the Oneonta campus offers free ESL and GED classes.
Students can also pursue associate degrees in arts and science, taking courses in general studies and liberal arts, all options that
Jefferson State Community College’s St. Clair-Pell City campus.
are ideal for those planning to transfer to a four-year university.
The Oneonta campus graduated its first nursing cohort in August 2024. More than a dozen students successfully earned a practical nursing certificate and the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX licensure exam to become licensed practical nurses. The students were also extended the opportunity to continue their nursing education at the main Hanceville campus to earn an associate degree in nursing and sit for the NCLEX licensure exam to become registered nurses.
With graduation and completion rates among the highest in the nation, Wallace State has earned national and regional attention for its commitment to student success.
The Aspen Institute has named Wallace State a finalist for its 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The institute also recognized Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics as one of 25 innovative leaders selected from across the country to participate in the second cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.
Wallace State has been named an Achieving the Dream Leader College, is ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, has been named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School.
Wallace State - Oneonta.
Community Development
ETOWAH COUNTY
The Northeast Alabama Regional (NEAR) Megasite is generating a lot of buzz in Etowah County. The 1,100-acre property, located on I-59 near the St. Clair County line, is being developed through a partnership among Etowah County, Rainbow City and the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority.
In October 2024, the county received a $4.6 million Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) grant from the Alabama Department of Commerce to construct roughly three miles of water transmission main to serve the NEAR Megasite. Total cost for the water transmission main was estimated at $8 million, and the remaining $3.4 million will come from American Rescue Plan Act funds the county has set aside for water and sewer infrastructure.
The SEEDS funding, along with investments from Rainbow City and Norfolk Southern Railway, has made it possible for the county to turn its attention to two other high-priority projects for the megasite. The first was acquiring an additional 160 acres just east of a newly completed 100-acre building pad along Norfolk Southern’s main line, and the second was constructing a new I-59 interchange adjacent to the site. Both projects were approved by the Etowah County Commission in January 2025. These latest plans come on the heels of the completion of a new Alabama Power substation
and the construction of a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank.
Gadsden, the county seat, is the largest city in Etowah County.
Dallas-based Monarch Waste Technologies recently opened a cutting-edge pyrolysis medical waste facility in Gadsden.
Magneco/Metrel, a producer of refracting materials for heavy industry, opened in Gadsden after an $8 million renovation of the former Gulf States Steel site.
The city of Gadsden is gearing up to break ground on Coosa Harbor, a $20 million mixed-use development along the Coosa River. Patrick Lawler, the developer behind Guntersville’s City Harbor Project, will lead the project.
The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded Gadsden $2.97 million to develop the Downtown Gadsden Greenway. The funds are part of the department’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, and Gadsden’s was one of 54 projects in 24 states, and the only one in Alabama, selected to receive the funding. The Greenway will be an 8-foot-wide asphalt pathway with two trailheads with parking, trailside facilities, signs, kiosks, bridge reinforcements for safety, sidewalks that lead to adjacent neighborhoods, resting stations and pedestrian lighting. The $2.97 million grant covers up to 50% of the project’s total estimated cost of $5.99 million.
The city is also looking to revamp the West Meighan Sports Complex. Possibilities for the site include the addition of an
aquatic center, tennis courts, pickle ball courts and indoor soccer facilities.
Christmas on the Coosa, which features an outdoor skating rink, returned for its second year in Gadsden, while Christmas at the Falls remains one of the community’s biggest tourism revenue earners, drawing more than 100,000 visitors each year.
Last year, Gadsden State Community College opened its $24 million Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center on its East Broad Campus. The college also announced plans for a large-scale renovation of the Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center and academic wing, and broke ground on a $10 million baseball-softball complex.
Rainbow City, the county’s second largest city, broke ground on the Challenger Learning Center last fall. The STEM-focused school joins a network of more than 30 Challenger Learning Centers across 24 states. The Rainbow City center is the first of its kind in the state and will include classrooms plus a simulator where middle and high school students can role-play during a realistic simulated space mission.
City leaders also broke ground on a new recreation center that will be located near the Challenger Learning Center. The facility will include a competition-size outdoor swimming pool, splash pad, playground and stage area with seating. Other amenities include a gym, an indoor track, a fitness room, basketball courts, a concession stand and locker rooms.
BLOUNT COUNTY
Blount County celebrated the opening of its new Multi-Purpose Center in Cleveland with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2024. The facility will be used for community events like rodeos, fairs and livestock shows, as well as advanced agriscience education classes and private events. In addition, the center houses the offices of the Blount County Extension, the Blount County Economic Development Council and Tourism Office and the Blount County Advanced Ag Academy.
Meanwhile, the site of the former agri-business center in Oneonta is being transformed into a regional sports
Blount County’s new Multi-Purposes Center is designed to host an array of things, from 4-H to rodeos to county offices.
complex with facilities for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and soccer as well as meeting spaces. The Blount County EDC revealed plans for the new facility in October 2023 and broke ground on HomeTown Sports in February 2024.
A new shopping center is set to open this fall in Oneonta. The development, located off Highway 75 near Walmart and Blount County Tractor and Equipment, will feature national chains, including Marshalls, Five Below, Ulta and Rack Room Shoes, with potential for additional stores. The property also includes several outparcel lots for future development.
Cement packaging company Freedom Packaging Products LLC has a new all-purpose facility in Altoona where it handles a range of general purpose and high-strength masonry cement, as well as Ordinary Portland Cement.
In August 2024, Hydra Service Inc., a hydraulic equipment supplier, began construction on a new 40,000-square-foot facility in Warrior.
In 2024, Birmingham & Associates Inc., a contractor that specializes in indus-
trial sheeting and steel erection, moved its operations from Jefferson County to Blount County.
Local entrepreneurs Darien Craig and Brandon Echols, co-owners of Y’all Sweet Tea, based in Hayden, won an investment on ABC-TV’s reality show “Shark Tank” in November 2024.
The Blount County Memorial Museum relocated in May 2024 to the historic federal building in downtown Oneonta.
The museum is sponsored by the Blount County Historical Society with assistance from the Blount County Commission.
Last April, Friends of the Locust Fork River transferred ownership of Taylor Riverside Park to Blount County. The park, located on the Alabama Scenic River Trail and popular for kayaking, canoeing and fishing, serves as a public access point to the Locust Fork River and now has a flat parking area, a stone staircase leading down to the river, a kayak and canoe ramp and picnic tables and benches.
The Blount County School System serves more than 7,600 students and employs 995 individuals. The district
earned an A rating on its Alabama State Department of Education report card for the 2023-2024 school year.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Two St. Clair County communities received funding from the SEEDS program totaling $2.5 million as part of an initiative to help smaller communities develop industry-ready sites to attract new businesses. The Commercial Development Authority in Moody received $407,902 in SEEDS funding to extend sewer service to a new 192-acre park located just off I-20. And the St. Clair Industrial Development Board received funds totaling $2.1 million to acquire a 250-acre rail-served commerce park along I-59 in Springville. The new park is a partnership among the Industrial Development Board, city of Springville and the County Commission.
St. Clair County has two county seats: Pell City and Ashville.
In Pell City, industries have recently invested more than $58 million.
Douglas Manufacturing Co., which makes components for conveyor systems,
announced an investment of nearly $11.7 million to expand its production facility on Industrial Park Drive. The company started construction on a 50,000-square-foot idler plant at the location and will make improvements to increase capacity at its four other product lines. The project will create 50 jobs over a two-year period.
Around the same time, Ford Meter Box announced plans for a $23.2 million expansion of its Pell City facility. The Indiana-based firm, which makes underground waterworks products, is constructing a 60,000-square-foot building and is investing in new equipment to allow for fabrication of large-diameter steel components and increased production capacity.
In June, city and state officials celebrated a groundbreaking for a $23.5 million expansion of the Allied Mineral Products LLC plant in Pell City. The facility produces a variety of heat containment and refractory products used in industrial applications. The project will add a
200,000-square-foot production facility and create 13 jobs.
The Pell City Council recently approved a development incentive package that will bring national restaurant brands Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse to the city. The $6 million development will be located along US 231 near the I-20 West ramp.
“Residents regularly tell me that new dining options should be high on our list of priorities, so I’m very pleased to announce that two fantastic new restaurants are considering our city,” Mayor Bill Pruitt says. “This is a major win for our community, bringing new dining options, jobs and economic growth.”
In 2024, the city of Pell City advanced more than $14 million in capital improvement projects designed to increase emergency service capabilities. The city began construction on a $5.95 million police station in July 2024 and an $8.28 million fire station in February 2025.
“Not a lot of cities can fund a project
of this magnitude without the need for external financing, and the ability to do so speaks well to the financial stewardship of this administration,” said Pell City Manager Brian Muenger.
Convenience and gasoline retailer QuikTrip broke ground on a new travel center, its eighth in Alabama, along Interstate 59 in Ashville. The travel center is expected to open in spring 2026.
In Moody, construction began last spring on a new high school.
The $47 million project includes a 95,000-square-foot academic building, a 7,000-square-foot storm shelter, cafeteria/ kitchen, band hall and activity practice gymnasium. A new 25,800-square-foot gymnasium with 1,200 seats, locker rooms and concessions will also be constructed. The 19,000-square-foot gymnasium is also being renovated to house an 800-seat auditorium, stage, dressing rooms, concessions, restrooms and a drama classroom. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
Health Care
GADSDEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Gadsden Regional Medical Center is the largest employer in Etowah County. The 346-bed acute care hospital offers inpatient and outpatient care. The medical center is accredited by the Joint Commission and certified in hip and knee replacements and has received recognition for its cardiology, pulmonology, sleep care and stroke services. Its other specialties include emergency medicine, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, plastic/reconstructive surgery, radiology and urology.
In August 2024, Gadsden Regional became one of the only hospitals in the region to offer “smart knee” technology for knee replacement procedures. An implantable device captures real-time data including range of motion, step count, walking speed and other metrics to monitor a patient’s recovery progress following knee replacement surgery.
RIVERVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Riverview Regional Medical Center consistently ranks as one of the top hospitals serving residents of Gadsden and Etowah County. The 281-bed medical center was acquired by Prime Healthcare in 2015. In addition to primary and specialized care, the facility’s services and programs include a 14,000-square-foot dedicated heart and vascular center with nine outpatient beds, a sleep lab, a wound care and hyperbaric center and an imaging and radiology center.
Healthgrades has awarded the medical center five stars for pacemaker procedures, hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, carotid surgery and treatment of diabetic emergencies.
UAB ST. VINCENT’S ST. CLAIR
In November 2024, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority assumed ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System in central Alabama, including Ascension St. Vincent’s hospitals in St. Clair and Blount counties.
UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair in Pell City is a full-service hospital licensed for 40 beds. The facility features a 24/7 emergency room, the Bruno Cancer Center, the Cataract Treatment Center, a full-service maternity care team and medical-surgical and intensive care units. Hospital services include inpatient and outpatient surgical services, a wide range of minimally invasive procedures using roboticassisted technology, advanced imaging scans and on-site laboratory testing.
UAB ST. VINCENT’S BLOUNT
UAB St. Vincent’s Blount in Oneonta is the only hospital in Blount County. The hospital is licensed for 25 beds and features a 24/7 emergency room, intensive care units, inpatient and outpatient surgical services and a GI lab, and it is designated as a Critical Access Hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services. UAB St. Vincent’s Blount also offers transitional care, infusion therapy services, a sleep disorders center and a day program for seniors coping with behavioral concerns.
ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF GADSDEN
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Gadsden is a 49-bed facility that provides inpatient rehabilitation for stroke, brain injury, hip fracture and other complex neurological and orthopedic conditions.
In 2024, Newsweek and Statista ranked the hospital among the top 300 inpatient physical rehabilitation facilities in the country. The Joint Commission has awarded the hospital its Gold Seal of Approval for Disease-Specific Care Certification in hip fracture rehabilitation and Disease-Specific Care Certification for stroke rehabilitation.
MOUNTAIN VIEW HOSPITAL
Mountain View Hospital in Gadsden is a private, specialized psychiatric hospital that serves children through senior adults. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and is the only treatment facility of its kind to offer a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services throughout the state. Mountain View has a 68-bed capacity as well as a dedicated 40-bed residential unit for adolescents.
Gadsden Regional Medical Center.
What’s IMPORTANT TO YOU EVERY DAY?
We’ve all got something that helps us make the most of daily life.
For some of us, it’s a steaming cup of coffee from a local shop that’s part of a thriving downtown.
For others, it’s the adventure and freedom that come from being outdoors, hiking in the mountains or boating on lakes and rivers. Learn more!
Maybe your key focus is professional, and you need a place that offers opportunities to build your small business or expand your industry.
All of these things come together in Gadsden, nestled in the heart of northeast Alabama. We’re a growing city with new ideas and innovation, but we’re not so big that you feel disconnected from the community around you.
Whatever you’re looking for, you’ve
Culture & Recreation
ONLY IN BLOUNT, ETOWAH & ST. CLAIR
The Alabama Trail of Tears Memorial allows visitors to walk and learn near where members of the Cherokee tribes were forcibly removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee to live in what is now Oklahoma. For a remarkable scenic treat, visit the Covered Bridges of Blount County. With three of the state’s 11 covered bridges, Swann, Horton Mill and Easley, Blount is known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama.” Or visit the Mustang Museum of America in Odenville, dedicated to all things regarding the classic Ford Mustang.
GO BELOW
Rickwood Caverns State Park offers
a mile of underground caverns, with blind cave fish, an underground pool and a colorful cavern. Above ground the park has an Olympic-size swimming pool, picnic area and hiking trails.
SHOWTIME
Catch a live performance at Theatre of Gadsden in the old Ritz Theatre building. Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts offers opportunities to experience the arts in all their forms — galleries, Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra and Downtown Dance Conservatory. Gadsden Museum of Art offers permanent and rotating art collections, historical local artifacts and special annual events. Drama, music and special events, including the Summer Concert Series, take the stage at Historic Mort Glosser Amphitheater, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts provides a 2,000-seat arena and athletic complex plus a 400-seat performing arts center for theater and concerts. Covered Bridge Players offer three or more plays a year plus workshops, improv and more. Community Arts Council of Blount County offers a variety of concerts, opera, poetry reading, talent shows, children’s theatre, artist workshops and camps and public awareness.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
Museums abound in local history. Fortson Museum in Odenville displays local artifacts and is home to the St. Clair County Hall of Heroes. Ashville and Springville both have Museum and Archives facilities, showcasing local memorabilia and history. The Blount County Memorial Museum is the county’s largest source of genealogy information and also houses historic exhibits. Also in Blountsville is the Historical Park, with log cabins filled with period furnishings. Homestead Hollow, in Springville, offers a 27acre recreated pioneer setting with demonstrations of blacksmithing, wood carving and weaving.
TEE TIME
Twin Bridges Golf Club in Gadsden offers 18 holes in a course designed by Gene Bates. The Silver Lakes Golf Course in Gadsden is part of the famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Other golf options include the nine-hole Pell City Country Club and the 18-hole Heritage Golf in Oneonta. Limestone Springs features 18 holes in the Appalachian foothills. Or trade your clubs for a flying disc and check out the ninehole Argo Disc Golf Course behind city hall.
LOCAL WINE & PRODUCE
Two wineries thrive in the tri-county area — Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery in Attalla and Maraella Winery in Hokes Bluff. Chandler Mountain, in St. Clair County, is one of the nation’s largest tomato producers, offering fresh produce, U-Pick, annual festivals and more.
SEE THE SIGHTS
The 90-foot Noccalula Falls is the centerpiece of Noccalula Falls and Park and Campground in Gadsden. The park also features a sightseeing train, pioneer village, botanical gardens and several annual events. King’s Bend Scenic Overlook Park, a new park on in Blount County, centers on the U.S. 231 bridge over the Locust Fork River.
Noccalula Falls train ride.
Greensport RV Park and Marina.
WATCH THE BIRDIE!
Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, due to open this spring, offers 422 acres of birdwatching, horseback riding and mountain biking with 30 miles of trails.
HIT THE WATER
Logan Martin Lake twists and turns offering 275 miles of shoreline along its 48-mile length. It’s popular for bass fishing, as well as boating, skiing, and swimming. Neely Henry Lake, also a favorite for fisherfolks, has 339 miles of shoreline. The Locust Fork River, the major tributary of the Black Warrior, is nationally known for its abundance of whitewater with class III and IV rapids.
LAUNCH IT
Boat launches abound in this area known for its scenic rivers and lakes. On Lake Neely Henry, visit Canoe Creek Boat Landing with nearly 300 feet of docks. Southside Landing is among the newest launch sites. Little Ridge Marina, also on Neely Henry, has boating facilities plus venues for food, drink and entertainment. Godfrey’s Marina has boating and fishing needs, including a boat launch. And Coosa Landing, Gadsden’s city boat ramp, can handle four launches at a time, with other boating and fishing supplies available. And for the paddlers, there’s Yak Tha Creek, an Ashville kayak outfitter offering self-guided trips and Big Canoe Creek Outfitters in Springville that is a kayak outfitter, camping destination and concert venue.
GET SOME EXERCISE
GadRock Microgym in Gadsden offers more than 4,500 square feet of indoor climbing, for all skill levels. Moragne Park, also in Gadsden, has a universally accessible playground, dual zip lines, walking track, three sand volleyball courts and green space. The Ridge Outdoor Adventure Park in Springville has 500 acres for off-road riding, hiking, disc golf, ATV and side-by-side rentals, zip line and rappelling tours and more.
TAKE A WALK
Coosa River Boardwalk stretches 1,000 feet with fishing piers, splash pad, gazebos
and benches. Riverwalk at Coosa Landing is a new park with walking paths and river boardwalk, plus fishing docks and scenic river views. James D. Martin Wildlife Park & Walking Trail attracts hikers, bikers and more. Hiking, fishing and more are available at Logan Martin Dam/Double Cove Park. Nature and walking trails, a wetlands boardwalk plus beach, fishing and a botanical garden are features at the 52-acre Lakeside Park on Logan Martin Lake. Ten Islands Historical Park, on the shores of Neely Henry Lake, has a nature trail, birdwatching, fishing, beach and more. Big Springs Park centers on a springfilled lake with walking track and options for sports and play.
FUN FOR THE KIDS
The Imagination Place Children’s Museum in Gadsden features a learning playground plus arts and science options.
RELAX
Greensport RV Park and Marina at Neely Henry Lake has trails, beaches, pools, jumping pillow, dog park and more. In addition to camping facilities, Gadsden Tiny Home Estates & Campground LLC also offers relaxing floats down Big Wills Creek.
SADDLE UP
St. Clair County Rodeo Arena in Odenville hosts rodeos, livestock exhibitions, craft shows, concerts, horse shows and more.
GETAWAY
In the midst of Logan Martin Lake lies Pirate Island, a place to relax and play — if you have a boat to get there.
SING, SING
White’s Mountain Bluegrass Park in Springville strives to preserve American heritage through music. It is home to the annual Chimney Corner Celebration in October.
ZOOM, ZOOM
Alabama International Dragway in Steele has multiple ¼-mile asphalt drag strips and bleachers.
festivities and events:
BLOUNT COUNTY CHRISTMAS
PARADE — Oneonta | Christmastime Sponsored by the Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, it is the largest parade in the county.
JUNE FLING — Oneonta | June Oneonta Business Association’s annual summertime festival of fun, arts and crafts, classic cars, great food and good times.
HARVEST FESTIVAL — Blountsville | September Blountsville Business Association sponsors this event with a big parade, antique car show and lots more.
COVERED BRIDGE ARTS & MUSIC
FESTIVAL — Oneonta | October The Blount-Oneonta Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event to celebrate the county’s covered bridges.
LOGAN MARTIN LAKEFEST AND BOAT SHOW — Pell City | May The South’s largest in-water boat show and festival held annually at Pell City Lakeside Park.
BARBARIAN CHALLENGE — Gadsden | June This annual obstacle course race adds manmade obstacles to the steep grades and creek crossings on the trails of Noccalula Falls Park.
GET OUTDOORS
Hiking, bouldering, bluegrass and more are featured at the outdoor nature park Horse Pens 40 in Steele. Palisades Park, atop Ebell Mountain in the foothills of the Appalachians, offers picnicking, rock climbing, nature trails and even a newly restored fire tower for climbing, plus an annual Christmas light display. Spring Valley Beach is a 25-acre waterpark in Blountsville with attractions for all ages.
FARM FUN
Shel-Clair Farm and Ranch, on 1,000 acres, has streams, mountain views and wildlife. Plus, you can bring your horse.
MAY
Banking for the Community
Small Business — Big Impact
Faces of Finance Women in Tech
Company Kudos
by ERICA JOINER WEST
Geographic Spotlight: Madison County JUNE Made in Alabama Getting It From Here to There
Associated General Contractors Directory
Geographic Spotlight: Mobile County
Drake State Community and Technical College has been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 FICO Educational Analytics Challenge, joining other institutions that are advancing education in artificial intelligence and data science. According to Drake State, it is the first community college in the nation to compete in the semester-long challenge. The initiative, led by FICO’s Chief Analytics Officer Dr. Scott Zoldi, will provide students with applied knowledge in developing AI models to detect financial fraud. Alabama A&M University also is participating in the challenge.
Athens-Limestone County 911 was honored as the Public Safety Answering Point of the Year for the state of Alabama.
Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Warren Averett; and Jackson Thornton have made USA Today’s 2025 America’s Best Tax & Accounting Firms listing for Most Recommended Tax Firms and Most Recommended Accounting Firms. Jackson, Howard & Whatley made the Most Recommended Tax Firms listing.
Cory Watson Attorneys, of Birmingham, is celebrating 30 years in business. The firm, started by Ernest Cory and Leila Watson, has secured more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for their clients nationwide.
Two Alabama-based coffee shops, Vintage Café in Montgomery and East Pole Coffee in Birmingham, have made MarketBeat.com’s list of Best Coffee Shops for Remote Work in the U.S.
Experience Montgomery, a division of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, has been recognized as the 2024 District Formation of the Year by Civitas. The award recognizes the
Montgomery Tourism Improvement District for sustainable tourism.
Faulkner University’s courses in criminal law, teaching of elementary mathematics and introduction to graduate biblical studies have earned Quality Matters Certification Mark.
Four Star Freightliner, a medium and heavy-duty truck dealer, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Started in 2000 in Dothan and Montgomery, the company has grown to seven locations in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Poole & Company Architects is celebrating its 20th year in business. Founded by John Poole in 2005, the architecture and interior design firm has contributed to some of state’s well-known entities, including UAB Medicine, Auburn University, Children’s of Alabama, the Jefferson County Commission and more.
Troy Regional Medical Center has been named a 2025 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. It was the only hospital in Alabama to make the list.
Career Notes
ACCOUNTING
Steve Sledge, CPA, has joined Anglin Reichmann Armstrong as an audit partner in the firm’s Huntsville office.
Kassouf has promoted Anita Atkinson and James Dicks to shareholders; Stewart Garner and Dawn Jones to principals; Margaret Novak to manager; Carrie McElroy and Charles Hyde to senior; and Chris Gunner to associate. In addition, the firm hired Dwayne Newsome and Eugenia Thompson.
BANKING
FirstBank has expanded into Tuscaloosa and hired Chuck Bracknell as market president, senior vice president charged with building the area team.
Bank Independent has promoted Sabrina Rouse to sales manager of its Athens downtown sales office and Tiffany Dostica to sales specialist at its Russellville Village Square sales office in Franklin County.
Citizens Trust Bank has appointed Walvid King Sr. as its Alabama Market president.
CONSTRUCTION
Tracey Gould has joined SS&A Design Collective as director of business development.
Tim Harrison, of Harrison Construction Co., has been named the 2024 Charles H. Land Member of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Charlotte Kopf, Alabama Associated General Contractors Mobile Section manager, has announced her retirement after 50 years with the organization. Carol Harris, who is currently associate
by ERICA JOINER WEST
section manager, will succeed Kopf as section manager.
EDUCATION
Samita Jeter, Lowndes County superintendent, has been named the Outstanding Superintendent of the Year by the Alabama Education Association.
Alabama State University Foundation has named Brandon Hurst, a Chick-fil-A franchise owner and ASU alumni, to its board.
Angus Cooper III, president of The Cooper Group of Companies, has been elected to represent the First Congressional District on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Paula McQueen has joined Park Place Capital as finance operations manager. She is based in the company’s Birmingham headquarters.
FITNESS
Ignite Cycle has named Amy Stanaland as executive director of its Mountain Brook and Pepper Place locations.
HEALTH CARE
The Alabama Hospital Association has named Robert Dumas, a board member of East Alabama Healthcare Authority, its 2025 Trustee of the Year award.
Cullman Regional Medical Center CEO James Clements has been appointed to serve on the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. The SHCC develops the Alabama State Health Plan and advises the state on health planning and resource development.
Tena Knight has been promoted to vice president of support services at Southeast Health.
LEGAL
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has launched the Defense & National Security team with partner Jack Harrington leading the team. In addition, the firm has added J. Allen Sullivan Jr. to its Corporate & Securities and Tax practice groups.
Butler Snow LLP has added Stephen Davis and Jordan Hennig to the firm’s Labor & Employment Group in the Huntsville office.
Methvin, Terrell, Yancey, Stephens & Miller PC has promoted Courtney Gipson to shareholder.
MARKETING
NP Strategy, a communications firm that is a subsidiary of Maynard Nexsen, has named Amanda Lovelady CEO and Jean Cecil Frick chief operating officer. Heather Hoopes-Matthews, who led NP Strategy since its inception in 2013, is taking on a client-facing role.
ORGANIZATIONS
Communities Unlimited Inc., a nonprofit with operations in Alabama and other Southern states, has named Russ Garner as director of community sustainability.
REAL ESTATE
Sam Winter & Co. Real Estate has added Sue King to its team.
SABRINA ROUSE
JAMES CLEMENTS
STEVE SLEDGE
PAULA MCQUEEN
BRANDON HURST
SUE KING
TRACEY GOULD
AMANDA LOVELADY
CHUCK BRACKNELL
AMY STANALAND
TIFFANY DOSTICA TENA KNIGHT
SAMITA JETER
JEAN CECIL FRICK
ANGUS COOPER III
CHARLOTTE KOPF TIM HARRISON
COURTNEY GIPSON
STONE AND GRAIN
The story of Kymulga Grist Mill
By SCOTTY E. KIRKLAND
Walking through the grounds of Kymulga Grist Mill Park near Childersburg is a portal into Alabama’s blue-collar business history.
Amidst the tall white oaks and the gentle hum of water falling over what remains of a 19th century dam, it’s easy to ignore the electrical lines, RVs and other trappings of modern life now in view. Since the days of the Civil War, cornmeal, flour and feed have been prepared in this towering wooden structure.
The idea for the mill came from George H. Forney, the seventh child born to Jacob and Sabina Forney. The family relocated from North Carolina to Jacksonville, Alabama, after George’s birth. The elder Forney and his son, Joseph, were merchants. When Jacob Forney died in 1856, young George took his place in the company.
When the Civil War began, all five of Jacksonville’s Forney men joined the Confederate cause. George Forney signed on with a Calhoun County militia group. By 1862, he had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the 1st Confederate Infantry Battalion.
How George Forney came to learn of the burgeoning settlement in Talladega County named Kymulga is not clear. But in the midst of his service to the Confederacy, he purchased land
TOP: The Kymulga Grist Mill today. Photo by Scotty Kirkland. ABOVE: The Kymulga covered bridge was completed around 1860, and George Forney bought adjacent land to build his grist mill. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
there and contracted with a South Carolina millwright named G. E. Morris to build a grist mill. Forney rightly discerned the appropriateness of the site for such a venture. The land was along the Old Georgia Road, where a newly constructed covered bridge crossed Talladega Creek. A railroad track bounded the other side of the property. Here were all the elements of a true crossroads community, with room for homes and businesses. Morris and a crew of enslaved laborers began working on the mill’s foundation, dug a canal to divert portions of the creek to power the turbines and set in place a sturdy, seven-foot reservoir dam.
But in the spring of 1864, Forney’s postwar plans for Kymulga died with him on a Virginia battlefield. Fellow soldiers brought his uniform back to his family in Jacksonville. When his mother died in 1881, those items were buried with her. A stained-glass window at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, where the Forneys worshipped, is dedicated to his memory.
The Forneys instructed G. E. Morris to finish Kymulga Mill. The builder remained there for several years thereafter. Before the end of the war, many of the grist mills in the region fell victim to raiding Union soldiers. But Kymulga escaped the torch, in part because it was so difficult to find.
Construction was protracted, owing to the upheaval and uncertainty of the era. Thus, the project spanned the years from bondage to freedom for Morris’ enslaved workers. Skilled in construction and design, many of these men elected to stay on with Morris as paid employees. One of these men, whose name is lost to history, was entrusted with the essential task of hauling the five hulking French buhrstones for grinding the grain from the docks of Mobile to the site with a team of oxen.
Morris and the craftsmen did their work well. Kymulga Mill is renowned for its construction and ornamentation, including its attractive gables and a circular window just below the roofline, an architectural jewel atop a building made for work.
William Baker, a Talladega businessman and sometimes politician, purchased the mill in the 1870s. He expanded its production capacity to 600 bushels of grain per day.
Baker understood publicity. In October 1877, he gave the editors of a local newspaper a 100-pound sample of his best flour. They offered their thanks in the form of an editorial endorsement.
It was Baker who brought George Forney’s commercial aspirations to reality. A production schedule for 1879 shows that the Kymulga Mill produced 40,000 bushels of wheat, 46,800 bushels of other grains, 726,000 pounds of livestock feed and an astounding 2 million pounds of corn meal. The annual combined value of these products was nearly $73,000 ($2.5 million today). This was unhurried work. Farmers and merchants would sometimes wait several days for their turn at Kymulga, camping out at the site or taking a room nearby. By the mid-1880s, Kymulga was described as “one of the liveliest places in the county,” with the grist mill as well as a sawmill and cotton gin.
A series of owners followed after William Baker’s death in 1895. As the years passed, the large stones of the mill continued to grind. In the modern era, the mill’s sustained operation, and the bucolic scene it set with the nearby bridge, was trumpeted in
the pages of Alabama newspapers, a reminder of a different era, a simpler time. “CENTURY-OLD MILL STILL GRINDS AWAY IN THE SHADOW OF A COVERED BRIDGE,” read the headline of one article from 1970. That year, owner John Carter produced 4,500 bushels at Kymulga Mill.
The mill and bridge were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. At the time, the mill was operated by L. E. Donahoo, a local who was later honored for his efforts to preserve the structure. To him, Kymulga Mill was like an old friend. “I been knowing it 57 years of my life,” he told a reporter.
In 2011, the city of Childersburg acquired the property and established a park. They assigned its upkeep to the local historic preservation commission. Storms the following year almost destroyed the mill when floodwaters washed out part of its foundation. Determined not to let Mother Nature succeed where even the Union Army had failed, the commission shored up the building, at a cost of more than $250,000.
Thanks to caretakers across generations, the mill and bridge at Kymulga are still standing, and the mill still operates on special occasions. For a small admission price, you can walk the grounds. If you’re lucky enough to be there on the right day, you can do something founder George Forney never lived to do: you can walk inside his grist mill and see the intricate detail that went into its construction and more than a century of history.
Historian Scotty E. Kirkland is a freelance contributor to Business Alabama. He lives in Wetumpka.
Southern Vision Eye Care .................................72
Southside Landing, Lake Neely Henry ..............86
Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council..................................12
Speros FL 10
Spring Hill College 12
Spring Valley Beach 86
Springville Museum and Archives 86
Springville, City of .................................... 69, 80
SS United States ................................................9
SS&A Design Collective 89
St. Clair County 67
St. Clair County Board of Education 72
St. Clair County Community Health Clinic .........72
St. Clair County Economic Development Council 72
St. Clair County Hall of Heroes..........................86 St. Clair County Rodeo Arena ............................86 St. Clair Industrial Development Board 67, 80
Luke’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville 90
Paul United Methodist Church, Birmingham 12 Stanaland, Amy 89
Holdings 11 Statewide Health Coordinating Council
Historic Alabama
HISTORIC HEALTH CARE
Salter Hospital opened on Riverside Drive in Eufaula in 1930. Later, the hospital, in a new building, would become Medical Center Barbour, which serves Barbour County and the surrounding area. This photo was taken some time in the hospital’s first decade. Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Alabiz Quiz
April 2025:
Q: The state has kicked off work on a fourth specialty high school, joining the math and science school in Mobile, the engineering and cyber school in Huntsville and the fine arts school in Birmingham. The newcomer will focus on health care. Where will it be?
A) Daphne
B) Decatur
C) Demopolis
D) Dothan
March 2025 (one month ago):
Q: The London-based company Diageo announced plans for a new plant in Montgomery, valued at more than $400 million. What sort of product will Diageo produce and distribute here?
A) Automobiles
B) Beverages
C) Computer chips
D) Lumber
Challenge yourself with these puzzlers from past issues of Business Alabama magazine. Beginning April 21, work the quiz online and check your answers at businessalabama.com.
April 2024 (one year ago):
Q: Southern Roots Nut Processing announced plans for a $17 million plant in Dothan. What sort of nuts will they process?
A) Almonds
B) Peanuts
C) Pecans
D) Walnuts
April 2020 (five years ago):
Q: Warrior Met Coal announced plans for a new mine, a $500 million investment in Tuscaloosa County, expected to be in operation this year. What do they mine?
A) Anthracite coal
B) Bauxite
C) Metallurgical coal
D) Uranium
April 2015 (10 years ago):
Q: The federal budget included funding for the LCS ships built at Austal USA. What does LCS stand for?
A) Launch Craft – Shallow
B) Littoral Combat Ship
C) Long Beach-Charleston-Seattle
D) Low-Cost Ship
April 2000 (25 years ago):
Q: Economic Development Partnership of Alabama polled its members in 2000 on the top economic successes of the 1990s. Which of these isn’t among the top 10?
A) Boeing chooses Alabama for rocket plant
B) Founding of EDPA
C) Hyundai selects Montgomery for new plant
D) Mercedes locates in Tuscaloosa
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