AIDT helping to find 600 new Airbus workers
Airbus said Wednesday it is working with AIDT to seek candidates to fill the first manufacturing positions at a new assembly line for A220 aircraft at the company’s production facility in Mobile. In addition, Airbus said it is hiring for production positions at its existing A320 Family aircraft manufacturing line on its Alabama campus. – Made In Alabama
Via Airlines coming to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth in April
Via Airlines has selected Birmingham as a focus city, and is adding four cities for nonstop service beginning in April. The regional carrier announced Wednesday it is adding flights to Mobile, Austin, Pittsburgh and Raleigh, with plans to add more in the near future. The airlines other focus cities are Memphis, Raleigh, Pittsburgh and Hartford, Conn. Via joins American, Delta, Southwest, United and Frontier Airlines at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth. – AL.com
Credit union offering 0 percent APR loan to furloughed feds
Avadian Credit Union is offering furloughed federal government employees loans at 0 percent APR to help pay the bills during the federal government shutdown. Federal employees will be able to take advantage of 0 percent APR loans for 60 days plus an additional 30-day loan upon request if the shutdown is ongoing at that time. – ABC3340
Birmingham’s TurnerBatson launches new website
TurnerBatson, one of the state’s largest and oldest architecture and interior design firms, has launched a new website. The new site highlights the firm’s core values of “People. Passion. Purpose.” through an intentionally different design, improved functionality, and updated portfolio, company culture, and team pages. – News release
Brundidge looking to up its downtown game
The city of Brundidge is working to bring improvements to its downtown area. The town has formed committees to help look for ways to bring business, spruce up store fronts, and add events to the calendar. “There are so many things that are unique to Brundidge, that’s special about Brundidge that we want everyone to experience,” co-chair of the Brundidge Revitalization Committee Dr. Antoinette Wilson says. – ANN
Former lawmaker to plead guilty in kickback scheme
A former Alabama state representative plans to plead guilty to federal charges in a medical kickback scheme, according to court documents filed Wednesday afternoon. Ed Henry, a former Republican representative from Hartselle, turned himself in to authorities on 14 charges in June. The charges stemmed from business deals between his chronic care management company and a Montgomery doctor’s office at the center of a widespread drug distribution investigation, as well as a Huntsville doctor’s office. – Montgomery Advertiser
VW, Ford to reveal more on global alliance at auto show
Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. will unveil a deeper alliance next week that goes beyond cooperating in commercial vehicles in a move meant to save the automakers billions of dollars as they develop new technologies, two people familiar with the plan said on Wednesday. Slowdowns in the world’s largest auto markets — China and the United States — have ratcheted up the pressure to cut costs. – Reuters
Ford, facing an abyss, looks at global changes
Ford Motor Co. has announced plans for a major shake-up of its operations in the UK and mainland Europe. It is expected to lead to thousands of job losses across Europe, including the UK, although cuts at its UK factories are not thought to be imminent. Ford is also going to talk to unions about measures to reduce costs. This includes focusing on more profitable models and exiting less profitable markets, to concentrate more in future on electric and hybrid technology. – BBC
