VW ready to begin accepting job applications
By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel
Published October 24, 2009
Volkswagen announced earlier this week that it was preparing to receive applications for its manufacturing plant that is scheduled to open in Chattanooga in 2011. Read more.....
Manroy USA Coming to Scottsboro
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 10, 2009
Manroy USA joined Jackson County's industrial community Thursday with an announcement ceremony at its facility in the Scottsboro Industrial Park.
The company, in partnership with Manroy Engineering Ltd., supplies the global defense industry. It is well-known for manufacturing machine guns, mounts and associated products.
"It's a good day in Scottsboro and Jackson County anytime we can welcome a new industry," Jackson County Economic Development Authority President Dus Rogers said. "It is great news and we are excited about Manroy locating in Scottsboro." Read more.....
In search of jobs
By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 20, 2009
Landing new industry has never been easy. In today's economy the task is even more difficult.
Just getting on a potential manufacturers radar takes time, effort and a variety of resources.
"We've got to be seen. And we use every option we can to get our name out there," said Jackson County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Dus Rogers.
Rogers holds a B.S from Auburn University. He is a graduate of the New South Economic Development course at the University of Southern Mississippi, Auburn University's Intensive Economic Development curriculum and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
Rogers travels extensively telling people about Jackson County. He says it is important to meet people face-to-face and develop relationships as part of the recruiting process. Read more.....
Chasing business half a world away
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 17, 2009
It was a long trip, a tiring one with unexpected pitfalls, but Jackson County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Goodrich "Dus" Rogers is glad he made a visit to Wolfsburg, Germany last month.
Rogers is optimistic the visit will pay off down the road as Volkswagen suppliers begin locating close to the company's new manufacturing facility being built in Chattanooga, Tenn. Jackson County and neighboring DeKalb County are among areas in at least four states trying to lure automotive suppliers to the region. It's a competition involving sites, incentives, training and workforce availability.
"We (Rogers and DeKalb County EDA Director Jimmy Durham) need to concentrate on Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers," Rogers said. "A lot of the first line suppliers will be located on site in a supplier park designed to serve the VW plant."
The north Alabama area is in competition with economic developers from Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina.
But Rogers, like his DeKalb County counterpart, is confident that the area will benefit. Read more.....
Imperial Aluminum buys bankrupt plant
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 16, 2009
Chicago-based Imperial Zinc Corporation has purchased the former Aluminum One manufacturing facility on Roy Owens Boulevard in Scottsboro.
The Scottsboro facility will be known as Imperial Aluminum - Scottsboro, LLC. It will not be opened immediately due to market conditions.
The purchase from Ohio-based Commercial Alloys was approved by an Ohio bankruptcy court earlier this month. Imperial Zinc also acquired a smelter operation located in Minerva, Ohio as part of the $1.3 million deal.
"The Jackson County EDA and the Scottsboro IDB along with our city and county officials are excited about this news," Jackson County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Goodrich "Dus" Rogers said Tuesday. "This facility was built for a specific use (metal recycling and smelting) and we are optimistic that the new owners will be back in production once the economy improves and the demand for aluminum increases." Read more.....
Hard work pays off
The Daily Sentinel
Published July 15, 2009
It has been a busy summer for Jackson County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Goodrich "Dus" Rogers.
In less than a month Rogers has visited the Automotive News Manufacturers Conference in Birmingham, an Industrial Forum in Wolfsburg, Germany, has welcomed a new industry, Manroy USA, to Jackson County and a new occupant, L&L Lumber Company into a formerly vacant manufacturing facility.
"In this business you have got to see people and be seen," Rogers said Tuesday. "Meeting people and traveling is a big part of economic development. Our website is also a factor in providing prospects with the information they need."
Rogers is optimistic about the efforts being put forth by his organization and local and state governmental leaders in luring industry to the area and in helping existing businesses succeed and expand. He believes, as the economy improves, that Jackson County is in position to reap the benefits of the efforts being made today. Read more.....
EDA and Chamber set Industry Appreciation Day
Published July 1, 2009
Registration is now underway for the 16th Annual Industry Appreciation Day, including a golf tournament and barbeque dinner, to be held at Goose Pond Colony on Thursday, September 3, at 12:00 noon.
Co-sponsored by the Jackson County Economic Development Authority and the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the activities offer an opportunity for representatives of industry and businesses throughout the county to join with elected officials and community leaders for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and good-natured competition.
The golf tournament will be a best ball scramble format between four-man teams.
Industry teams will be competing against consistently strong contenders from Beaulieu, Maples, Smurfit-Stone, Polyamide and others.
To be included in the Industry Division, all four team players must be employed by the industry they are representing. An open division winner will be named as well.
Team prizes will be awarded in each division as well as overall individual prizes including closest to the pin, longest drive and longest put.
A lake cruise for non-golfers will depart the gas dock at 1:30 p.m. and return at 4:00. The barbeque dinner will be served immediately after the tournament between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Please call 574-1331 or 259-5500 before 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1 for further details and reservations.
Sanoh Receives Safety Award
Published May 27, 2009
Sanoh America, Inc., located in Scottsboro, received the Vice President's Safety Cup on May 6, 2009. This prestigious cup is presented to the safest plant in Sanoh America, Inc. Scottsboro led the company for 2008 as the safest operation among all of Sanoh Industrial Company, LTD. The management team at Sanoh would like to thank all associates for their continued focus and dedication to safety.
Governor Riley Signs New Law
to Help State Recruit More Jobs
May 24, 2009
Governor Bob Riley signed a new law Tuesday that will help the state recruit new jobs.
The bill enhances Alabama's recruitment arsenal so that industries other than manufacturing are eligible for the state's economic incentives. Current incentives are limited primarily to manufacturing jobs.
Signing the bill at the State Capitol surrounded by members of his Cabinet and economic developers from across the state, the Governor noted the state's remarkable success in recruiting manufacturing jobs and "mega-projects."
Those successes are why Alabamians - even in the recession - saw their personal incomes rise at a greater rate than most of the rest of the nation last year, Governor Riley said, pointing to federal data showing income growth in Alabama was 13th highest in the nation.
"Now we've got to take our efforts to the next level. We've got to be even more aggressive in the pursuit of new jobs because there are a lot of Alabamians who need them. We've got to expand the playing field and improve our ability to compete for higher-paying jobs in some of the key growth industries. That's what this bill does,"said Governor Riley. "It re-tools our economic development strategy and lays the foundation to move us forward and come out of this recession stronger than before."
With the new law, economic developers will be able to use incentives to attract corporate headquarters, high-tech research and development facilities, and jobs in the newly emerging "green"economy.
Alabama is competing for projects in these industries that have the potential to bring 7,000 new jobs to the state.
"Without this change in our incentives law we were fighting for these projects with one hand tied behind our back,"Governor Riley said. "Now, with this change, we'll be competing with other states on a level playing field."
The new law was proposed by the Governor during his State of the State Address at the beginning of the 2009 legislative session. He asked Representative John Knight and Senator Hank Sanders to sponsor it.
"I believe that years from now, we will look back on this moment and realize that this new law I'm signing today played a critically important role in Alabama's economic renewal,"Governor Riley said. "It comes at a pivotal time in our history, when our state and every state is challenged by the global economy. The key to our recovery lies here, in being able to recruit new, high-paying jobs, in bringing new opportunity to our people. That's how we'll get our economy moving again."
Governor Riley Signs Law Seeking to Attract
Film Production to State
March 24, 2009
Lights! Camera! Action!
That's what Governor Bob Riley said he hopes to hear in Alabama now that legislation providing financial incentives to encourage movie and television production is law.
"All of us who live here - and all of those who have visited our state - know Alabama has great scenery. We have talented and artistic people. As they say in show business, Alabama has star power. That's why we want people to shoot in Alabama, and I'm not just talking about turkey season," Governor Riley said during a ceremony at the State Capitol where he signed the bill into law.
"With this new law we'll attract new investment into Alabama. We'll increase job opportunities for our citizens and we'll improve our ability to compete on the global stage for film and motion picture production," Governor Riley said.
Productions that qualify for the state's incentives can receive rebates equal to 35 percent of payrolls paid to Alabama residents and 25 percent of other production costs.
Instead of attempting to lure expensive movies, Alabama is targeting smaller productions whose budgets range from $500,000 to $10 million in order to grow the state's movie industry at a sustainable level.
The Legislature put a limit of $5 million in rebates available during the current year, with the cap growing to $7.5 million in 2010 and $10 million in years beyond.
Those who wrote this bill used the best elements from legislation passed by other states to give Alabama a conservative and responsible foundation to stimulate our state's film industry.
They took the unusual step of sharing the legislation with studios and independent producers in Los Angeles for feedback and got advice about other states' film incentives.
The act requires the Alabama Film Office to work with representatives from the Department of Revenue in developing regulations that will qualify productions and monitor expenses eligible for rebate.
Approximately 42 other states provide some financial incentives to producers and studios to film in their locations.
NRC Reinstates Bellefonte Construction Permit
February 19, 2009
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authorized the reinstatement of the construction permits for Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) unfinished Unit 1 and 2 reactors at the Bellefonte site near Scottsboro, Ala.
In 2006, having decided not to complete construction of the reactors, TVA requested that NRC withdraw the construction permits for the two Bellefonte units. However, in August 2008 TVA, citing changing power-generating economics, stated that completing the Bellefonte reactors may now be viable and requested that the NRC reinstate the permits. If the Bellefonte construction permits had remained in place, they would not have expired until 2011 and 2014, respectively.
TVA also requested that the permits be reinstated with the reactors classified in the "deferred" status - a category indicating a plant's structures, equipment and records have been well maintained in a mothballed condition. The Commission denied that portion of the request. "The Commission Policy Statement on Deferred Plants is clear and demanding with respect to the condition of the facilities and the quality of plant records. The Bellefonte reactors simply do not meet that threshold right now," said NRC Chairman Dale Klein.
The Commission chose instead to reinstate the permits with the reactors classified in the "terminated" status - a designation which recognizes that the structures, equipment and records have not been continuously maintained. This will require TVA to re-establish physical conditions and records quality of units 1 and 2 before the units could transition to a "deferred" status. This two-step approach provides assurance to the public that the NRC will thoroughly scrutinize the plant and that any issues identified will be addressed before TVA can move forward.
The reinstatement of a withdrawn construction permit is unique. The Commission, after considering the technical, regulatory, and legal aspects of TVA's request, concluded that there is sufficient reason to reinstate the construction permits and that a more conservative sequential approach will ensure the safety of doing so. "We will start them out one step at a time so we can ensure the safety of these unfinished plants," Klein said. "They will not be placed in a 'deferred' status until we are completely satisfied."
The agency granted construction permits for Bellefonte's two pressurized water reactors in 1974. By 1988, when TVA deferred completion of the plant, Unit 1 was approximately 88 percent complete, and Unit 2 was approximately 58 percent complete. There is no nuclear fuel on the site. The Bellefonte site is located on approximately 1,600 acres adjacent to the Tennessee River in northern Alabama.
Area Companies Secure Intelligence Funding
Huntsville, Alabama
January 10, 2009
Innovative Signals Technology (ISigTech), a leading provider of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) products, and Pikewerks Corporation, a leading provider of computer security products and anti-tamper solutions, announced today that they have been awarded research and development funding from the Department of Defense to provide secure SIGINT capabilities in support of border security and counterterrorism initiatives. This effort will provide Intelligence Community (IC) and law enforcement customers with a cost effective solution that incorporates advanced SIGINT technology with built-in state-of-the-art electronic security protection. Read more.....
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City Schools Make Grade
The Daily Sentinel
Published August 7, 2008
Scottsboro City Schools successfully achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) again this year. System-wide, Scottsboro City Schools met all of its 21 goals.
"We are so pleased with the way our test scores came out at each school," said Dr. Judy Berry, Superintendent of Scottsboro City Schools. "This is a great report, and we are very proud of it."
Berry said no school in the Scottsboro system has been placed in "school improvement" in the five years that AYP results have been calculated. Read more.....
VW: Opportunity Knocks
By Ken BonnerThe Daily Sentinel
Published July 17, 2008
Local and state officials agree that despite Huntsville's loss of a Volkswagen automobile manufacturing plant to Chattanooga, Tennessee big opportunities may still be on the horizon for Jackson County. Read more.....