1 — Three Alabama companies have been named winners in Alabama’s Manufacturer of the Year awards. Automaker Mercedes-Benz took the honors for a large manufacturer; 3M’s reflective sheeting plant in Guin took honors for medium-size companies, and portable satellite antenna maker GATR Technologies, based in Huntsville, took the award for small companies.
1 — University of Alabama at Birmingham students who manage the Green and Gold Fund took top honors for the third year in a row in the Redefining Investment Strategy Education competition.
1 — Huntsville’s rank on the Weather Channel list of tornado-prone U.S. cities. On this list we’d rather not be on, Birmingham ranked number 3 and Tuscaloosa number 4.
2 — Auburn University President Jay Gogue’s rank on the Chronicle of Higher Education annual list of highest paid university presidents. UAB’s Carol Garrison and USA’s Gordon Moulton ranked in the second tier at 31 and 36. UA President Judy Bonner, former president now system chancellor Robert Witt and former chancellor Malcolm Portera all ranked much lower on the list, with only part-year salaries counted.
7 — Alabama’s tax structure rating for ease of starting and growing small business, according to a study by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.
9 — Gulf Shores’ ranking among family-friendly beach towns in a report by Parents magazine.
Text by Nedra Bloom
