Go ahead and roll your eyes. You’re thinking “best of” and “2020” do not belong in the same headline. Despite a global pandemic, record hurricanes, economic collapse, fires, floods, civil unrest and even murder hornets, good things still happened in spite of – or even in response to – the calamities. So, as 2020 draws to an end, let’s look back on the “Good News from Home” stories readers clicked on the most on Alabama NewsCenter. The editor’s choices are stories that didn’t get the most clicks but we feel are worth noticing.

Economic development always takes many forms and 2020 was no different. They ranged from rehabbing Birmingham’s former Red Cross building to Mercedes making an SUV with a base price of $160,500. There were some workforce innovations, a half-billion-dollar arc furnace, rural development, a new Airbus jet and infrastructure improvements thrown in for good measure. Here are the economic development stories you responded to the most.

Long-vacant American Red Cross building in Birmingham getting $30M rehab into apartments

Vacant Birmingham office building to get new life as apartment housing from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Alabama cuts ribbon on Birmingham’s new interstate bridges

Team effort to replace Birmingham’s interstate bridges from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Developing rural Alabama more than a dream

EDAA takes regional approach to rural economic development from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

$500 million electric arc furnace to create 300 jobs in Alabama

AM/NS Calvert Mill plans to add a $500 million electric arc furnace in Alabama, creating 300 jobs. (AM/NS Calvert)

JumpStartAL launches innovative workforce initiative in Alabama

JumpStartAL is a new and innovative education training program from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Editor’s choice 1: Airbus set to deliver first Alabama-made A220 jetliner, marks five years in Mobile

Airbus has delivered the first A220 built in Alabama to Delta Air Lines. (Airbus)

Editor’s choice 2: Mercedes produces high-end luxury Maybach SUV in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Tuscaloosa County has produced the luxury automaker’s first-ever Maybach GLS 600 SUV. (MBUSI)