Why Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ is best pick for Space Command HQ
Huntsville is in the running to be the headquarters of the new U.S. Space Command, a move that is a natural fit for Alabama’s Rocket City and its longtime support of space and defense programs. Goals of the new command are to better organize and advance the military’s extensive operations in space and to seek more effective ways to protect U.S. assets such as satellites that are crucial for communications, navigation and surveillance. Five other sites – four in Colorado and one in California – also are finalists for the headquarters, but Huntsville has the proximity and the players. – Made In Alabama
Madison won’t reveal public money from Trash Pandas stadium naming rights
The city of Madison this week declined to reveal the proceeds it will receive through naming rights for the Rocket City Trash Pandas stadium awarded to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. The revenue is public money, earmarked to help repay the taxpayer dollars spent to build the $46 million stadium known as Toyota Field. – AL.com
Ben E. Keith distribution center breaks ground in New Brockton
A Texas-based food distributor broke ground in New Brockton Wednesday on a $100 million distribution center expected to create 80 jobs. Ben E. Keith’s new center will span 423,681 square feet, and the total site —at the corner of U.S. Highway 84 and County Road 514 — encompasses 118 acres, which offers opportunities for expansion to more than one million square feet. – Dothan Eagle
REV Birmingham announces finalists for The Big Pitch
Five finalists have been picked for REV Birmingham’s The Big Pitch 2019, happening Nov. 23. The competition will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the site of REV’s Upswing retail demonstration project at the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street. Presented by PNC, The Big Pitch 2019 will pit local startups against each other pitching business plans. – AL.com
Investar set to close deal for Alabama bank Nov. 1
Investar Holding Corp., the parent company of Baton Rouge-based Investar Bank, said Wednesday all of the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals have been obtained for its $15 million purchase of an Alabama bank. Shareholders with the Bank of York in York, Alabama, approved the deal at a shareholder meeting Wednesday. The move means that Investar expects to close Nov. 1. – The Advocate
UAW says ‘major gains’ in tentative contract with General Motors
The United Auto Workers and General Motors have reached a tentative contract agreement that could end the 31-day strike. The union said in a news release Wednesday that final details of the deal have been hammered out that the agreement includes “major gains for UAW workers.” On the picket line in Flint, the birthplace of GM, workers celebrated the news but stopped short of a full-blown celebration until the contract is ratified. – AL.com
Alabama celebrates its Chambers of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Week is being celebrated throughout Alabama this week. The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) invites residents all over the state to join them in recognizing the chambers’ efforts to improve quality of life and promote economic prosperity in their areas. – Moulton Advertiser
