Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development. If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an
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Magna adds high-pressure aluminum casting to Alabama plant
Aurora, Ontario, Canada -
Magna International is adding aluminum casting capabilities at its Kamtek facility in Birmingham, Alabama, to support automotive lightweighting.
The Tier 1 supplier invested approximately $60 million to add the 150,000ft
2 facility. At full capacity, the expansion has the potential to generate more than 100 jobs.
The aluminum-casting shop will feature high-pressure aluminum casting, a technology that expands Magna's lightweighting and part-reduction solutions. Traditional steel multi-piece welded assemblies can take upwards of 12 stampings to produce one structural component. High-pressure aluminum casting allows production of full structures in one piece.
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Alabama officials, companies on trade mission to Australia, New Zealand
A 17-member delegation from Alabama is in Australia and New Zealand this week for briefings with U.S. Commercial Service officials and networking opportunities with companies.
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said Alabama already has strong ties to both countries.
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Fiber Ready: Marengo County industrial parks get tech updates
AT&T Director of External and Legislative Affairs Ty Fondren and University of Alabama Economic Development Academy Director Neal Wade were on hand for a luncheon in Linden on Tuesday to announce that three Marengo County industrial parks now had access to the latest in fiber optics, an important step in luring new industries to the area.
Fondren announced that AT&T, along with Marengo County, the City of Demopolis and the City of Linden, have reached certified AT&T Fiber Ready status within Airport Industrial Park, Industrial Park South and Linden Industrial Park.
"AT&T continues to deploy leading-edge technology," said Ty Fondren, AT&T director of external and legislative affairs. "Our goal for the AT&T Fiber Ready certification is to help clearly message that Alabama is connected as economic developers and community leaders work to bring new business to our state and drive growth for the ones that already call our communities home."
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Alabama biotech company tries to protect soldiers from biowarfare
A Huntsville biotechnology company has won a $1 million defense contract to seek new antibiotics to protect soldiers from biowarfare agents and "superbugs."
iXpressGenes won the Department of Defense small business innovation contract for its research into the DNA of organisms that can survive extreme heat and cold.
In the first phase of the research, iXG developed a rare DNA library from extreme environments such as hot springs, themal vents and permafrost. The company says it has also developed a high throughput platform called Extremophilic Microbiome Antimicrobial Discovery (EMAD) to test DNA.
"We believe our EMAD platform provides the optimal path to combating antimicrobial resistant bacteria by discovering drug-like, antibacterial compounds with high rates of novel chemistry due to their (extreme) environments," iXG Director of Drug Discovery A.J. Singhal said in a press release.
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New Flyer of America investing additional USD $25 Million in Anniston, AL
ST. CLOUD, MN ,
Sept. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of America Inc. ("New Flyer"), the U.S. subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. (the "Company"), the largest transit bus and motor coach manufacturer and parts distributor in
North America , announced it will invest USD
$25 million in major building renovations and expansions at its
Anniston, Alabama production campus.
This investment builds on New Flyer of America's commitment to American infrastructure, manufacturing, innovation, and jobs. It adds fabrication equipment that enhances component manufacturing, streamlines the weld process, expands the operational footprint, and adds capacity and an innovation center for zero-emission bus production.
"We are extremely fortunate to have both local and state cooperation and support for this project - a true partnership," said
Wayne Joseph , President of New Flyer of America. "I specifically want to thank Governor Ivey and her team at the Department of Commerce, Secretary of Commerce
Greg Canfield , Mayor Draper and City Manager Salley from the
City of Anniston , and Alabama Power, for all of their time and effort on our behalf. This investment in process efficiency, operational capacity, and technological development further elevates
Anniston as a leading manufacturing site for zero-emission vehicles, and invests in jobs and infrastructure in
Alabama ."
