AGP Executive Report

Space Industry: U.S. Space Command has surpassed 200 personnel at Redstone Arsenal, reaching its first staffing goal six weeks early. It expects 900 staff by 2028, with headquarters construction planned to begin in 2027. Aerospace and Defense: Mobile’s first aerospace and defense summit aims to connect Alabama suppliers with industry buyers. Food Manufacturing: Alabama A&M’s Food Product Innovation Center has helped 50 organizations develop and improve market-ready products since opening in 2024. Infrastructure: ALDOT awarded Tuscaloosa National Airport $2.4 million for aircraft parking upgrades; a separate contract will replace Gilbert’s Ferry Bridge on SR-77. Auto Manufacturing: Honda plans a $472 million upgrade to its Alabama plant to expand hybrid-engine production. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville has reached one million vehicles produced. Energy and Data Centers: Lambda plans a $33 billion AI data center in Lowndes County, a major proposed investment in the Black Belt.

Aerospace & Defense: Mobile will host its first Gulf Coast Aerospace & Defense Summit in May 2027, connecting Alabama suppliers with aircraft makers and defense contractors. Huntsville Growth: Mayor Tommy Battle welcomed the coming U.S. Space Command headquarters at Redstone Arsenal and outlined new planning for the city’s roads and neighborhoods. Manufacturing: Honda is investing $472 million to expand hybrid-engine production at its Alabama plant, while Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville has reached one million vehicles produced. Investment & Jobs: Lambda plans a $33 billion AI data center in Lowndes County; meanwhile, nearly 600 jobs are at risk as Children’s Place plans to close its Fort Payne distribution center. Shipbuilding: South Korea’s Hanwha is in final talks to buy Mobile-based Austal USA, a major builder of Navy and Coast Guard vessels. Energy Costs: Alabama regulators say the utility’s advertising costs should not be passed on to customers, responding to scrutiny of Alabama Power’s spending. Rural Development: Seven areas in Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties won federal Opportunity Zone designations intended to encourage private investment and job creation.

Shipbuilding: Hanwha is reportedly in final talks to buy Austal USA, a move that could bring the Alabama shipbuilder into the South Korean company’s expanding U.S. shipbuilding business. Manufacturing: Italian supplier Vulcaflex broke ground in Auburn on a $70 million synthetic-leather plant expected to create about 130 jobs. Small Business: Birmingham Business Alliance is offering $30,000 grants to help local firms grow, while Alabama HBCU founders won nearly $20,000 in a statewide pitch competition. Food and Agriculture: Fountain Heights Farms Cooperative opened We All Eat Market, the Birmingham neighborhood’s first grocery store in nearly 70 years, with a community kitchen for local food entrepreneurs. Workforce: UAH opened applications for federally funded cybersecurity scholarships for fall 2027, supporting students who commit to government service after graduation.

Manufacturing: Honda is planning a major renovation at its Lincoln plant to expand V6 hybrid-engine production and make a production line flexible enough to build the Passport, part of a broader $3 billion U.S. hybrid push. Coastal Economy: Auburn University won nearly $400,000 for oyster restoration in Little Dauphin Bay, including spawning sanctuaries and shoreline protection. Infrastructure: A $22.1 million contract will replace the northbound Gilbert’s Ferry Bridge over the Coosa River, easing congestion for about 25,000 daily travelers. Food and Small Business: Birmingham’s Fountain Heights neighborhood has its first grocery store in nearly 70 years; the co-op-run market and kitchen aims to hire locally and offer affordable workspace to food entrepreneurs. Construction: A $6 million permit covers Amazon’s planned 245,000-square-foot warehouse in North Birmingham. Entrepreneurship: Alabama HBCU founders competed for $20,000 in prizes at a Birmingham pitch event, with Alabama A&M teams taking the top three spots.

Data Center Growth: Bessemer residents are questioning blasting and air-pollution permits at the Project Marvel site, while a separate lawsuit challenges a Lowndes County data-center tax break. Manufacturing: NexPoint Materials plans to close its Alabama polycarbonate plant and shift production to Indiana; Hyundai, by contrast, announced a $450 million expansion of its Alabama plant focused on hybrids and range-extender vehicles. Energy & Innovation: Birmingham’s Techstars EnergyTech accelerator added eight innovators, building on 68 startups backed since 2019. Infrastructure: Gov. Kay Ivey approved a $22 million contract for Opelika-based Scott Bridge to replace Gilbert’s Ferry Bridge in Etowah County. Food & Agriculture: Birmingham’s new We All Eat Market brings groceries to Fountain Heights, with produce supplied by 16 neighborhood farm plots.

Advanced Manufacturing: Honda’s $3 billion Ohio plant is part of a wider hybrid push that includes Alabama, where the automaker plans to add equipment to produce a new hybrid V6 engine. Defense Technology: Muscle Shoals-based ALL.SPACE won a U.S. Navy follow-on order for 59 satellite terminals, bringing the fleet total to 108 and Navy orders past $25 million. Alabama Industry: NexPoint Materials plans to close its Alabama manufacturing site and consolidate resin production in Indiana. Data Centers and Power: Meta’s $1.5 billion Huntsville data center is drawing local talent, while a Lowndes County lawsuit over tax breaks highlights tensions around data-center development. Infrastructure: ALDOT awarded more than $12 million in grants to public-use airports, and Tuscaloosa has a $167 million plan to replace a major bridge.

Defense Manufacturing: Long Wall won a $75 million Missile Defense Agency contract to flight-test its Cyclops interceptor. The aerospace company has operations in Alabama and says its facilities can produce more than 100 interceptors a year. Manufacturing Shift: NexPoint Materials plans to close its Alabama manufacturing site and consolidate resin production in Indiana, a setback for the state’s industrial base. Energy Innovation: Techstars’ EnergyTech accelerator has added eight innovators in Birmingham, building on 68 startups backed since 2019. Coastal Industry: The decommissioned USS Enterprise is headed to Mobile for dismantling, bringing the former nuclear-powered carrier to its final destination. Resilient Construction: Alabama has more than half of the nation’s homes with the wind-resistant Fortified designation. Roofing manufacturers are challenging a new standard that limits the designation to roofs under 15 years old.

Energy Innovation: Techstars Alabama EnergyTech has brought eight startups to Birmingham, expanding a program that has backed 68 companies since 2019. The new cohort is tackling grid reliability, biomass recycling and data-center cooling. Power and Data Centers: Southern Company reported a $2 billion profit as Alabama customers watch costs; surging data-center demand is also lifting utility earnings. Meta’s $1.5 billion Huntsville center is advancing with local hiring and power and water commitments, while Lambda has proposed a $33.1 billion campus in Lowndes County. Manufacturing: Hyundai plans a $450 million expansion at its Alabama plant to build hybrids and range extenders. Logistics: PS Logistics expanded its flatbed business with the acquisition of Tennessee-based Roane, while Sanko Gosei Technologies acquired an Alabama manufacturer. Workforce: Calhoun Community College plans machining training for K-12 students, building skills for local industry.

Infrastructure: The University of Alabama is advancing plans for a pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard to connect its nursing school with DCH Regional Medical Center, with construction targeted for 2027. Energy Costs: Alabama’s Public Service Commission asked Alabama Power to stop billing customers for promotional ads before a 2029 ban takes effect; the utility reported more than $6 million in ad spending last year. Data Centers: Meta’s $1.5 billion Huntsville facility is moving ahead, while a proposed $33.1 billion Lowndes County project faces a second lawsuit over its tax break. Manufacturing: Hyundai plans a $450 million expansion at its Alabama plant for hybrid and range-extender vehicles, though a new crossover’s production has been delayed. NexPoint, meanwhile, plans to close its Alabama polycarbonate plant and shift production elsewhere. Agriculture: Farmer and longtime Douglas mayor Corey Hill won the state agriculture commissioner race, bringing firsthand farming and grocery business experience to the role. Mining Reuse: Jasper and Drummond are exploring a regional sports complex on reclaimed mine land, with retail, restaurants and lodging also under consideration.

Data Centers & Power: Lambda announced a $33.1 billion AI data center in Lowndes County, described as the county’s largest economic development project. Meta’s $1.5 billion Huntsville center is also drawing local talent as the company works to meet power and water commitments. Southern Company reported a record $2 billion quarterly profit, with data-center demand boosting results. Manufacturing: Hyundai plans to invest $450 million to expand its Alabama plant for hybrids and range extenders. NexPoint, meanwhile, plans to close its Alabama polycarbonate plant and shift production. Agriculture: The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network is building connections among farmers and food producers through peer learning and support for local food systems. Workforce & Infrastructure: Calhoun Community College will offer machining training for K-12 students, while ALDOT awarded more than $12 million in grants to public-use airports across the state.

Manufacturing: Sanko Gosei acquired Opelika-based Cumberland Plastic Systems, which employs about 135 people and supplies automotive and other industries. Hyundai plans a $450 million Alabama plant expansion for hybrid and range-extender vehicles, while NexPoint will close an Alabama polycarbonate plant and shift production. Data Centers & Power: Lambda announced a $33.1 billion data-center campus in Lowndes County, where a second lawsuit challenges tax breaks for a data-center project. Meta’s $1.5 billion Huntsville center is advancing local hiring and power and water commitments; meanwhile, Southern Company reported a record $2 billion quarterly profit as customers watch costs. Transport & Infrastructure: PS Logistics expanded its flatbed network through a Tennessee carrier serving steel, aluminum and building-material supply chains. Alabama plans a $167 million replacement for a major Tuscaloosa bridge, and ALDOT awarded more than $12 million in grants to public-use airports statewide. Economic Impact: Samford University estimates its operations, construction and visitor spending generated $1.08 billion in Alabama economic activity and supported 7,646 jobs in fiscal 2025.

Data Centers: Meta says its Huntsville campus is nearing a seven-building, 3.5-million-square-foot footprint, with more than 300 full-time jobs and a commitment to local hiring. Its Alabama investment, including a Montgomery campus, exceeds $3 billion. Auto Manufacturing: Hyundai is investing nearly $450 million at its Montgomery plant to expand engine production for hybrids and range-extended EVs, while preparing for updated and new SUV models. Workforce Training: Calhoun Community College will add three CNC machining training sites and hands-on workshops for K-12 students, supporting manufacturers’ need for skilled workers. Plant Changes: NexPoint Materials plans to close its Burkville polycarbonate plant and consolidate production at its Mount Vernon facility. Mobile Shipbuilding: The USS Enterprise is being towed to Alabama for dismantling, a multiyear project expected to run through 2030. Infrastructure: A $167 million contract will replace two Tuscaloosa bridges and add a shared-use path over the Black Warrior River.

Data Centers: Lambda named an anchor company for its planned $33.1 billion AI campus in Lowndes County, the county’s largest economic development project. Construction was announced this week, putting the spotlight on the infrastructure needed to support the development. Energy & Utilities: Alabama regulators want Alabama Power to stop charging ratepayers for ads promoting its products and services, sharpening scrutiny of utility costs. Manufacturing: Hyundai announced a $450 million investment to support future products and expand vehicle and engine production in Alabama, though a new crossover planned for its Vance plant has been delayed. Integrity Cabinets also announced an Eastaboga expansion. Infrastructure: Montgomery received $13.4 million to replace aging lighting on I-65 and I-85, while Dothan secured $3.5 million for an industrial site. Agriculture: Alabama’s agriculture commissioner is asking the USDA to include loggers in federal fuel relief.

Data Centers: Lambda has announced a $33.1 billion AI campus in Lowndes County, billed as the largest economic development project in county history; officials have also named an anchor company for Project Red Clay. Energy Innovation: Techstars’ EnergyTech accelerator is bringing new innovators to Alabama. Manufacturing: NexPoint Materials plans to consolidate polycarbonate production from Burkville at Mount Vernon. Hyundai is investing hundreds of millions in Alabama production, including its next Tucson, while Mercedes has delayed a crossover planned for Vance. Factory Expansion: Integrity Cabinets is expanding in Eastaboga, and Helix Electric plans manufacturing operations in Hollywood. Business Costs: State regulators want Alabama Power to stop billing customers for ads promoting its services. Separately, liquor distribution shortages are leaving restaurants and hotels without staple brands ahead of the busy season.

Data Center Investment: Lambda’s planned $33.1 billion AI data center in Lowndes County is billed as the largest economic development project in county history, with the company named as its anchor. Auto Manufacturing: Hyundai plans to invest $450 million at its Alabama plant for future SUV and extended-range electric vehicle production. Mercedes, meanwhile, has pushed planned GLC production in Vance from 2027 to 2030, while reaffirming its broader U.S. investment plans. Factory and Shipbuilding: Integrity Cabinets announced an Eastaboga expansion, while IAC plans to close its Cottondale plant, eliminating 83 jobs. The decommissioned USS Enterprise is also being towed to Alabama for dismantling. Energy Costs: Alabama regulators have asked Alabama Power to stop charging customers for promotional advertising ahead of a 2029 law barring the practice. Workforce: West AlabamaWorks and local partners are working to ease childcare barriers that can keep parents from taking manufacturing and other jobs.

Data Centers: Lambda plans a $33.1 billion AI campus in Lowndes County, the largest economic development project in the county’s history. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with more than 1,000 construction jobs and billions in projected tax revenue. Auto Manufacturing: Hyundai is investing $450 million at its Alabama plant to support future SUV and extended-range electric vehicle production. Industrial Sites: Five Alabama industrial sites will receive more than $9.3 million in state funding for upgrades, while Dothan secured $3.5 million for an industrial site. Workforce Development: Drake State and Blue Origin are turning technical training into paid space-industry careers, and Alabama A&M will host a regional quantum workforce workshop. Agriculture: Alabama Farmers Federation says its endorsed candidates won 142 of 150 races and pledged to work with new leaders on agriculture, forestry and rural priorities.