Mobile not yet sold on the return of Amtrak
Mobile city officials put the brakes Tuesday to a resolution requesting that Gov. Kay Ivey “commit and insure” the funds necessary to return passenger rail to the Gulf Coast. The council, with a unanimous vote, held off for two weeks on a proposal that endorsed Amtrak’s return to the Gulf Coast with Mobile serving as an anchor in a route that would extend to New Orleans. – AL.com
Bible, shotgun, American flag with your new truck: Thanks, Chatom
A rural Alabama car dealership is giving away a Bible, a 12-gauge shotgun and an American flag with the purchase of any new or used vehicle as part of its Fourth of July sales promotion. Chatom Ford, a dealership in Chatom, Ala., went viral for its “God, Guns and Freedom” campaign that is running until July 31. The dealership’s general manager Koby Palmer talks about the offer in a Facebook video that now has more than 60,000 views. – Fox News
Designer Billy Reid put the peacoat on the latest James Bond
Although Florence is just across the Tennessee River from Muscle Shoals and its legendary recording studio, it’s not exactly where you’d think to look for an American fashion designer who is fast becoming a frequent go-to for Tinseltown wardrobing. But Florence is where men’s and women’s fashion designer Billy Reid is based, with the company’s design studio located above an old bookstore. (Reid also has business offices in New York.) – Hollywood Reporter
Food distributor to create 80 jobs with Coffee County expansion
Ben E. Keith, a major food and beverage distribution company, plans to invest $100 million to open an advanced foodservice distribution center in Coffee County. The facility will also serve as the company’s southeast headquarters. The project will create 80 direct jobs over the next five years and provide an economic boost to New Brockton, a town of around 1,100 people in southeast Alabama. – Dothan Eagle
State’s secretary of commerce worried about an extended trade war
Alabama’s Secretary of Commerce said in an interview that he is worried about ongoing trade disputes involving automobile tariffs, saying they are “not in the long term in anybody’s interest.” Greg Canfield, speaking to FDI Magazine, made the comments in an interview on a range of subjects related to foreign direct investment. – AL.com
Port Authority names Richard Clark as deputy director
Richard Clark has been named deputy director of the Alabama State Port Authority, according to an announcement Tuesday. Clark, with over 30 years of maritime industry experience, began his career at Cooper T. Smith in New Orleans before joining Puerto Rico Marine Management Inc. to direct the company’s terminal, cargo and warehouse operations. – AL Political Reporter
Mitsubishi North America moving HQ to just up the road
Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. is relocating its headquarters to the Nashville area from California in a move that will strengthen the Japanese automaker’s financial ties to Nissan — and bolster Tennessee’s stature as a major U.S. auto hub. The move, expected to be completed this year, will bring 200 jobs to Franklin, just south of Nashville, including positions in sales, marketing, IT, human resources, communications, parts and service, product planning, dealer operations, finance and legal. Mitsubishi expects to invest $18.25 million in its new site. – The Tennessean
