Top airbus exec: Mobile-built A220 to be ‘a global airplane’
One of Airbus’ top-ranking global executives, Chief Operations Officer Michael Schoellhorn, said he liked what he saw on his first visit to the company’s manufacturing operation in Mobile. Schoellhorn, who is German, was announced as COO in February; prior to that he’d worked as an executive for BSH Home Appliances GmbH and The Bosch Group. But he said his Alabama visit was “some sort of a homecoming as well.” In the ’80s, while serving in the German military, he spent about a year stationed at Fort Rucker, training as a helicopter pilot. – AL.com
New Dave & Buster’s in Huntsville opens Monday and fun awaits
No need to build the suspense. Dave & Buster’s opens Monday in Huntsville. 11 a.m. Game on. Bring your boss or fake a fever. Or, hey, just take the day off or – if you must work – consider a long lunch. When Eric Drescher, the general manager of the Huntsville location, describes Dave & Buster’s as the “ultimate destination for fun,” it requires no imagination whatsoever to see what he’s talking about. – AL.com
Black Belt receives $127K grant for revitalization
The Delta Regional Authority has awarded $127,877 to Opportunity Alabama in support of rural revitalization and development in opportunity zones across the Black Belt. Alabama’s Black Belt is the only region in the state with five consecutive opportunity zones, areas where investors receive tax incentives to invest in low-income and undercapitalized communities. – AL Political Reporter
Tyson Foods blames contractor for fish kill in river
Tyson Foods is blaming temporary piping installed by a contractor for pollution that killed tens of thousands of fish in a north Alabama river. An open letter posted by an arm of the agricultural company says about 220,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater was released from a River Valley Ingredients plant at Hanceville on June 6. State conservation officials say it could take years for the river to recover, and area residents have filed suit. – CBS
Brace yourself, new gas tax rate takes effect Sept. 1
Sherwood Sparks sure would like to see some of Alabama’s new gas tax increase go toward improving the roads leading to his hometown of Piedmont. “Paying the tax doesn’t bother me,” Sparks said. “As long as I can see some results from my taxes for my city.” The last time Alabama passed a gas tax increase the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union had just ended, and starting Sept. 1 drivers will pay an additional 6 cents a gallon. – AL Political Reporter
GM, Ford appear to be preparing for recession
The top two U.S. automakers are preparing for a possible economic downturn, the companies said on Tuesday, as an ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing fuels fears of a global recession. Tit-for-tat tariffs have increased raw material costs for the global auto industry, which is already dealing with weak demand in both China and the United States. – Reuters
