EDPA NewsFlash - June 22, 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:

Amazon to create 1,500 jobs at Alabama fulfillment center

Koch Industries subsidiary expands Alabama plant

Newest Alabama company will develop nuclear engine for Mars spaceship

Auburn University researchers land $5 million in support

Amazon to create 1,500 jobs at Alabama fulfillment center

Words by Jerry Underwood

June 22, 2018

BESSEMER, Alabama - Internet retail gain Amazon confirmed plans today to open a fulfillment center in Jefferson County with 1,500 full-time employees working alongside advanced robotics technology.

Amazon will build the 855,000-square-foot facility center on 133 acres of property being purchased from U.S. Steel off Powder Plant Road in Bessemer, located just minutes away from Birmingham. Investment in the project is expected to be $325 million.

The Seattle, Washington-based company confirmed its plans for the Alabama facility today in an announcement that said the project is moving forward, following a series of public meetings with local governments.

more...

[ Made in Alabama]

Koch Industries subsidiary expands Alabama plant

June 22

A subsidiary of Koch Industries Inc. is expanding its plant in Talladega County.

Koch Agronomic Services LLC has broken ground on a new tank farm facility in Sylacauga. The chemical manufacturer produces polyon and duration enhanced efficiency fertilizers for the turf and ornamental, specialty crop and consumer markets at its Alabama facility.

"It's been an exciting year for us, and Koch is solidifying its future in Sylacauga with the largest capital investment since we acquired this facility in 2014," said Jeff Bird, Koch Agronomic Services plant manager.

more...

[Birmingham Business Journal]

Newest Alabama company will develop nuclear engine for Mars spaceship

By Lee Roop

lroop@al.com

June 22

The international nuclear technology company BWX Technologies, Inc. opened a Huntsville office Thursday to begin developing products for the aerospace and military including a nuclear propulsion system that could send rockets to Mars.

"We expect to start our next new major line of business here ... to be the nexus of nuclear technology as applied to space and defense," BWXT President and CEO Rex Geveden said at a grand opening of the company's new offices in Cummings Research Park. "We expect to create entirely new products and entirely new markets here.... We're not here for market share, we're here for market creation."

The company, a leading supplier of nuclear components to the U.S. government, has a contract with NASA to create conceptual designs for a nuclear thermal reactor that could power a spaceship to Mars. It will do that development at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville with a team of "high-compensation technical staff," said Jonathan Certain, vice president for advanced technical programs at the company.

more...

[al.com]

Auburn University researchers land $5 million in support

Kara Coleman | Reporter

Opelika-Auburn News

kcoleman@oanow.com

Jun 21, 2018

Auburn University President Steven Leath announced Thursday that 11 research teams at the school will benefit from a $5 million investment in their work.

"Auburn research is on the move," Leath said in a press statement. "Our world-renowned faculty are leading Auburn in our drive to solve problems, provide real-world benefits and serve the social good."

The investment is part of the Presidential Awards for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), a program Leath launched in December. Leath received 101 proposals from researchers at Auburn, and selected 11 potentially life-changing projects to invest in. The funding will span three years, and PAIR is modeled after a research program Leath started while president of Iowa State University.

more...

[ Opelika-Auburn News]