STATE FOCUS | ALABAMA Heart of Dixie
From Alabama’s government announcing a next-generation strategic plan to drive economic investment, to Austal USA’s continued expansion in the defence industry, and DeSHAZO launching a National Training Center for overhead crane technicians, we look at the latest news to come from the Yellowhammer State.
A
labama Governor Kay Ivey recently rolled out Catalyst, a bold new economic development strategy designed to propel
the state’s growth and competitiveness through the next decade and beyond. This new plan marks a significant evolution from the state's previous framework, Accelerate Alabama, which helped the state achieve remarkable success over the past decade. Since its inception in 2012, Accelerate Alabama has driven $67bn in capital investment and led to nearly 170,000 job commitments. Yet, as Governor Ivey recognised, in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven economy, a fresh approach is needed to ensure that Alabama not only keeps pace with global trends but also takes the lead in shaping the future.
Catalyst builds on the foundation established
by Accelerate Alabama, but its scope is broader and more forward-thinking. The global economy is changing rapidly, with new technologies transforming industries at an unprecedented rate. Automation, artificial intelligence, green technologies, and advanced manufacturing are all reshaping the world. Governor Ivey made it clear that Alabama must be proactive in positioning itself to remain a competitive and thriving economy in the face of these changes. “We must have an economic development strategy that prepares Alabama for the 2030s,” she said, adding that the state must adapt to the revolution happening across industries to ensure it continues to attract projects that create quality jobs and contribute to the vitality of communities. At the core of Catalyst is a vision to diversify and
future-proof Alabama’s economy by expanding beyond the traditional focus on attracting large-scale manufacturing projects. While the state will continue to pursue major industrial investments, Governor Ivey and her team have recognised the need to broaden their economic development approach. Catalyst takes a multifaceted approach that emphasises entrepreneurship, innovation, workforce development, and regional growth. The plan aims to create an economy that isn’t solely reliant on one industry or sector, but rather one that is flexible and adaptable to the changes of tomorrow’s economy. The state is looking to cultivate a robust ecosystem that supports both large corporations and small start-ups, as well as foster homegrown talent to drive innovation and growth. One of the key pillars of the Catalyst plan is
18
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63
