EDPA NewsFlash - March 20, 2018

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 EDPA Partner.

In this issue:

Marine manufacturer AdvanTec to open Alabama facility with 46 workers

Alabama Launchpad winners take $150,000 in prizes

NASA Marshall advances 3-D printed rocket engine nozzle technology

Auburn University selected by NASA, ASTM International for partnerships in additive manufacturing

UWA, AT&T partner for first Alabama Summit on Rural Technology

Deadline approaching to get AdvantageSite pre-consultation checklist

Marine manufacturer AdvanTec to open Alabama facility with 46 workers

March 20, 2018

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama - Canada-based AdvanTec, a leader in marine manufacturing, announced plans today to open a new facility in Baldwin County, creating 46 jobs with an annual payroll of $2.4 million in its first three years.

AdvanTec specializes in marine closure manufacturing, as well as industrial pipe bending for oil and gas applications, serving clients in a range of industries. The 40,000-square-foot facility in Robertsdale will open next month.

"As the first of our plants in this region, this location will allow us to better serve our clients in the greater Gulf of Mexico and Southeastern United States, as well as access a skilled labor market with deep experience in marine metal manufacturing," said Andrew Mund, operations director for AdvanTec in Robertsdale.

more...

[ Made in Alabama]

Alabama Launchpad winners take $150,000 in prizes

By William Thornton

wthornton@al.com

Two Birmingham-based companies took the top prizes last week in the Alabama Launchpad finale in Prattville.

A program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Alabama Launchpad gathered six startups to pitch their companies before a panel of judges and a live audience.

In the concept track for businesses just starting out, the winner was Pointz. The company offers an app that gives local businesses a way to incentivize customers to shop at their businesses, with customers receiving points that lead to rewards. Pointz won $50,000.

more...

[ al.com]

NASA Marshall advances 3-D printed rocket engine nozzle technology

Words by Jerry Underwood

March 20, 2018

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama have developed and tested a new 3-D printing technique to make rocket engine nozzles in a way that greatly reduces costs and development time.

The nozzles, which operate in extreme temperatures and pressures as the rocket engine fires, are extremely complex and expensive to manufacture.

The new NASA-patented technology has the potential to slash build time for this critical component from several months to several weeks.

more...

[ Made in Alabama]

Auburn University selected by NASA, ASTM International for partnerships in additive manufacturing

March 19, 2018

Chris Anthony | Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

NASA and ASTM International, a global standards organization, have selected Auburn University for two new partnerships that will spur technological advances in additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing.

Auburn, expanding upon its existing relationship with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, has formed the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence. It already has more than 40 industry and government collaborators.

The center, which will be housed within Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, will conduct research on improving the performance of parts that are created using additive manufacturing, share research results with industry and government collaborators and respond to workforce development needs in the additive manufacturing industry.

more....

[ Auburn University]

UWA, AT&T partner for first Alabama Summit on Rural Technology

by WAW Admin

March 20, 2018

LIVINGSTON, Ala.-The University of West Alabama has joined with AT&T to announce the slate of speakers and featured panelists for the Alabama Summit on Rural Technology, set for April 13 on the UWA campus.

The event features a broad slate of experts who bring unique perspectives to address rural Alabama's need for an enhanced technology infrastructure.

Event coordinators expect the program and expertise that will gather to be a tremendous step forward in economic development, education, and overall quality of life for rural Alabamians.

more...

[ West Alabama Watchman]

Deadline approaching to get AdvantageSite pre-consultation checklist

Don't miss the opportunity to possibly have an AdvantageSite in your community!

The pre-consultation checklist, which determines what AdvantageSite applications will be accepted in 2018, will remain on the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama's website through March 31. Click here for the link.

AdvantageSite is a voluntary industrial site preparedness program created in order to make the state more competitive for companies considering a location in Alabama.

Since the program's start in 2008, 29 projects have located on AdvantageSites across the state, investing more than $1.3 billion and creating over 6,000 new jobs.

The program is jointly sponsored by the Alabama Department of Commerce, Spire, Alabama Power Co., the North Alabama Industrial Development Association, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, and coordinated by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Representatives from each of the entities participate actively in application reviews and on-site visits to prospective AdvantageSite designees.