REV Birmingham to launch 3-month pop-up retail district
A new, limited retail project is coming to Birmingham. Starting Sept. 29, REV Birmingham will launch Upswing, a roughly three-month pop-up project of shipping container stores, hammock swings, and events in a surface parking lot at 1900 2nd Ave. North. The project is called Upswing, according to a press release, because “Birmingham is on the upswing, local shops are making a comeback, and there are literal swings on the lot.” – AL.com
Demand for steel driving big year for State Docks
A river of steel runs through the port of Mobile, and its ripples and tidal shifts show the push and pull of the global economy on Alabama. Steel stands out as one of the drivers of what’s shaping up to be a strong year for the State Docks, according to reports delivered recently at a meeting of the board of the Alabama State Port Authority. In general, the Docks is on track to be millions of dollars ahead of budget when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. – AL.com
Birmingham’s Sips ‘N Strokes helps make art easier
They’ve become a global sensation — “paint and sip” studios where adults can spend evenings out learning to make art in a relaxed, BYOB setting. Thousands of franchises now exist to help us all unleash our inner creative. One of the places where it all began was a little studio outside Birmingham, Alabama. In 2002, at age 28, Wendy Lovoy quit her corporate job to pursue a career as a painter. In 2003, her company, Sips ‘N Strokes, was born. – AP
Railway design, manufacturing firm to get $2.1M upgrade
Railway trackwork designer and manufacturer voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak will invest $2.1 million in its Birmingham plant. The plant will receive improvements including a new steel fabricating machine, additional manufacturing line upgrades, a new plant forklift and a heavy-duty pickup truck for manufacturing machinery, equipment and tool transport. The plant’s security system will also be upgraded. – AL.com
Public abuzz over online beekeeping courses
Beekeeping is going digital. Beekeepers across the state will have the opportunity to participate in an online beekeeping course series designed for both hobby and small commercial beekeepers. The workshop, conducted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will cover several topics of information important to the industry. Tony Glover, an Alabama Extension county coordinator in Cullman County, said there are three sessions of the workshop planned. – WAAY
Trump strips California of right to set emissions standards
The White House has stripped California of its right to set its own vehicle emissions standards and banned other states from setting similar rules. The waiver allowed the state – America’s most populous – to set stricter standards than the federal government. President Trump says the move will cut car prices and the impact on emissions will be minimal. But it is likely to spark a legal battle over states’ rights. California has already taken steps to block the administration’s efforts. – BBC
