![Local – Economic Development Magazine Picks Alabama for its Silver Shovel Award| Keynote USA Local – Economic Development Magazine Picks Alabama for its Silver Shovel Award| Keynote USA](https://i3.wp.com/www.madeinalabama.com/assets/2024/04/Shovels.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Based on the number of high value-added jobs per capita, the amount of investment, the number of new facilities and the industrial diversity of projects submitted, Alabama qualified for a Silver Shovel award in the category of states with populations between 5 million and 8 millions.
Tennessee and Indiana also earned Silver Shovels in this category.
Area Development highlighted several individual projects that landed in Alabama last year, led by German high-end appliance maker Miele’s decision to locate its first U.S. plant in Opelika. It was selected as one of the magazine’s “Projects of the Year.”
“The state lists a wide range of impressive projects, including a investment in Hyundai Motor Manufacturing “Reequipping ourselves for the next generation of the Santa Fe, as well as a large investment in Nemak, an automotive components manufacturer,” the publication notes. “Nucor is building a state-of-the-art transmission tower manufacturing facility in Decatur, adjacent to the company’s sheet steel factory, and Ultra Secure Nuclear Corporation. “It chose Gadsden for a highly automated facility to manufacture non-radiological modules for its microreactors.”
It also cited the cable manufacturer Southwire’s expansion in Florence and major projects in building products, aerospace, medical devices, forestry, solar energy and distribution.
The honor follows another winning year for Alabama’s economic development team, which saw companies announce growth projects involving $6.4 billion in capital investments last year. These projects will generate nearly 9,000 direct jobs throughout the state.
A total of $1.7 billion in new investments, along with 1,700 jobs, went to the state’s rural counties last year.
TO comprehensive look The state’s economic development results from last year can be found in the Alabama Department of Commerce’s “2023 New and Expanding Industries Announcements Report,” released this spring.
Since 2017, when Governor Ivey took office, economic development activity in Alabama has attracted $49 billion in new investment through projects that created 87,000 jobs, according to Department of Commerce figures.
“At its core, economic development is about creating job opportunities for citizens and injecting vitality into communities so they can prosper for the long term,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“That’s why we do the job and that’s why we will continue to do it.”
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Area Development has periodically honored Alabama with Shovel Awards. He received Gold Shovel Awards in 2006, 2013, 2019 and 2021, and Silver Shovel Awards in 2007-2012, 2014-2018 and 2022.
Last September, Area Development reported that Alabama ranked No. 6 in its annual “Best States to Do Business” survey, continuing a sustained run for the state in the top 10 on that list.
In individual categories, Area Development ranked Alabama No. 1 for favorable regulatory environment, No. 2 for overall cost of doing business, No. 5 for workforce training programs, and No. 7 for business incentive programs.
Alabama also received a Top 10 ranking for site preparation programs, available real estate, cooperative state government, speed of permitting, competitive labor market and energy costs.
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