Alabama offers considerable advantages for companies seeking a business location that will contribute to long-term success, starting with a labor pool of more than two million dedicated, reliable and skilled workers. In addition, Alabama offers a work force training system that has been ranked best in the nation, a transportation infrastructure that can meet the demands of companies in any sector, a competitive overall cost structure that is one of the country’s lowest and a prime location in the heart of the fast-growing U.S. South.
Most important, Alabama is a state that appreciates the contribution of business and industry. We value the companies that are located here and both public and private sectors are committed to helping them achieve success. State and local officials have worked to create a supportive environment that encourages business success. That commitment is a big reason that many world-class companies have chosen to locate and expand their operations in Alabama in recent years, including more than 160 European companies.
A Better Workforce
One of the biggest incentives companies worldwide have found in coming to Alabama is the quality of the state’s workforce and its highly-respected workforce development program.
Alabama Industrial Development Training is the first state training program in the world to be certified in compliance with ISO 9001:2000 (now ISO 9001:2008 certified), the International Organization for Standardization Principle for Quality Management. AIDT also was ranked first among workforce training programs in all 50 states by Expansion Management Magazine.
Services are provided at no cost to employers or trainees. The workforce management system includes recruitment, assessment and training of potential employees, development and production of job-related training materials, provision of training facilities, and delivery of job-specific services. AIDT also provides certified manager training and supervisory and team leadership training.
And to make the state’s services more accessible to business, a new Workforce Development System has been implemented to coordinate the state’s many services. The program will enhance career technical program offerings at the state’s community and technical colleges, and guide employers to existing resources.
Competitive Taxes and Incentives
Alabama has one of the most competitive business climates in the nation. The state’s tax structure includes incentives tailored to bringing in and retaining your business.
The state’s tax incentives are created and administered under the Alabama Constitution of 1901 and the Code of Alabama 1975. The statutory basis for Alabama tax incentives gives industry a stable framework for long-term investment.
An ADO project manager will work closely with your company to develop an incentives package uniquely designed for your company.
A Better Business Climate
Aggressive. Responsive. Receptive. Words most states use to tout their own economic development activities. But to get an accurate picture of what it's really like to relocate or expand in a given state, you should talk with companies actually doing business there.
So what do corporate executives have to say about Alabama's economic development strategy?
One of the keys to Alabama's victory in the 2007 mega ThyssenKrupp steel project was a unified push that brought together a variety of state and local development agencies, according to Uli Albrecht-Frueh, chief executive of ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA.
"Alabama proved that its team worked strongly together and that was important to us. Because a big consideration was how fast we could put this (plant) in production," said Albrecht-Frueh. "We wanted to know that, wherever we went, the team would stay together and the support would be there for years to come. And we know we've got that in Alabama.”
Bob Hess, formerly of Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Business Consulting group and project leader for this project, said that on the ThyssenKrupp project, the performance of Team Alabama — from the governor all the way down to the local sanitary engineering department — was superb.
“It was aligned, positive, and responsive to the project’s concerns and technical needs,” he said. “It’s very powerful if a governor is engaged in selling his state and constantly telling the marketplace, “We’re open for business.” Leadership and commitment mean everything when you’re down to two finalists and the governor is calling you every day and asking, “What can I do to support you?”
Excellent Transportation
Alabama's transportation infrastructure includes five interstate highways, part of a network of over 74,000 miles (119,091 km) of paved public roads.
Alabama is served by 25 freight railroads, including five Class I railroads, carrying cargo over 3,700 miles (5,954 km) of track.
The state has one of the largest inland waterway systems in the nation, with nearly 1,300 miles (2,092 km) of navigable waterways along six corridors. The navigable systems connect to more than 15,000 miles of inland waterways in 23 states.
The Port of Mobile, Alabama's deep sea port, is a point of international shipping. Operated by the Alabama State Port Authority, the Port is served by some 100 overseas shipping lines and a dozen towing companies to connect Alabama with major ports around the world. For information on Alabama's deep-sea international port, please visit www.asdd.com.
Alabama is served by 13 airlines operating through seven airports and providing more than 300 daily flights. The state also has international air freight service through Huntsville's International Intermodal Center.
International Advantages
Alabama is an ideal hub for foreign-based businesses and businesses with an international focus. Currently, more than 350 foreign-based manufacturers from more than 30 nations operate in Alabama.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a gateway to the rapidly growing markets in Mexico, Central America and South America.
Alabama ranks 24th in the nation for exports, with companies shipping products to 184 countries.
The Alabama State Port Authority operates a full-service port on the Mobile River, 33 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
Five Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) and numerous sub zones currently operate in Alabama.
Official U.S. Customs Ports-of-Entry are located at Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville International Airports.