Growing businesses injected nearly $1.7 billion in new capital investment into Alabama’s rural counties last year in a sign of continuing vitality, according to data released by the Alabama Department of Commerce in conjunction with a summit of state rural developers.

These projects will create more than 1,600 jobs in rural communities, the department said. The growth builds on robust project activity recorded in 2020, when $615 million in new investment and 1,940 job commitments were announced for Alabama’s rural counties.

“I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making in Alabama’s rural areas, but I know that achieving all our goals for elevating prosperity in these communities will require a long-term effort,” said Gov. Kay Ivey, who attended the rural summit. “That won’t be easy, but make no mistake: We’re willing to put in the work.”

The rural Alabama development summit brings together officials and economic developers from across the state. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)

Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said project activity in Alabama’s rural counties has been energetic.

“Companies focused on growth are seeing real opportunities in rural Alabama, which in turn benefits from projects bringing an invigorating economic spark,” Canfield said. “It’s clear that the conditions for growth are ripe in rural Alabama, and we want to make sure its communities are harvesting the fruit of new investment and good-paying jobs.”

He said the momentum has continued in 2022 as high-impact projects have located in the state’s 40 “targeted” counties, which have fewer than 50,000 residents and are eligible for enhanced incentives.

These include:

• Ecore International, which is investing $25.5 million to open a state-of-the-art manufacturing and recycling facility in Ozark, creating 84 jobs. Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Ecore specializes in transforming reclaimed materials into high-performance flooring and surface products.
• Valdosta, Georgia-based Advanced ATC Inc., an air traffic control academy, plans to set up the nation’s first Remote Tower Air Traffic Control Center at Craig Field, a former U.S. Air Force base in Selma. The center will be equipped to support air traffic control services for up to 40 airports across the U.S. The project will create at least 28 jobs.
• Oregon-based ISA Corp., a manufacturer of nitrile and latex gloves, plans to open a production facility in Geneva County, creating 80 jobs in Hartford.

While 2022 project data is not yet available, Department of Commerce figures show that job creation from economic development projects has spread throughout rural Alabama.

Franklin County was the top rural county for job creation in 2021, attracting projects with 256 job commitments, according to the report. Franklin was followed by Clay (210), Chambers (174), Covington (135) and Randolph (130) counties.

In addition, rural Alabama continues to be an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, with more than $247 million in new investment announced by foreign companies in 2021. Japanese companies were the top investors, with projects valued at nearly $96 million, according to the report.

Ecore is investing $25.5 million to open a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ozark, where it will create 84 jobs. Ecore turns recycled tires into high-performance flooring and other materials. (Ecore)

ISA Corp. will manufacture nitrile gloves, along with latex gloves and boot coverings, in a Geneva County factory set to open in 2023. (ISA Corp.)

Craig Field, the airport and industrial park in Selma, will soon become home to the nation’s first Remote Tower Air Traffic Control Center and a unique training academy stemming from a project led by Advanced ATC Inc. (Advanced ATC)

Unlocking growth potential

Brenda Tuck, Rural Development manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce, said her office has been active on many fronts to help facilitate economic development efforts in the state’s rural areas.

This includes the development of the Simulated Training and Readiness (STAR) program, which provides training to economic developers working in rural areas to help prepare them to better compete for business growth. Already, one-third of the state’s rural developers have completed or entered the program.

In addition, Tuck’s office has coordinated with state workforce agencies, supported entrepreneurial programs in rural areas and launched a business retention and expansion effort.

“We’ve made good progress over the past couple of years, but we’re not ready for a victory lap,” Tuck said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to advance and accelerate strategic economic development in Alabama’s rural counties, so the hard-working citizens there can benefit from new investment and jobs.”

Gov. Kay Ivey stands with Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and Brenda Tuck, Rural Development manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce, at the 2022 Rural Alabama summit. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)

Canfield said recent project results demonstrate Alabama’s commitment to unlock the growth potential of rural communities. He said Tuck and her team have worked closely with allies across the state to better position rural areas for growth projects.

“Having served as Alabama’s commerce secretary since 2011, I know that economic development efforts in rural communities often face specific challenges that are not present in more populous areas,” Canfield said. “But I am more confident than ever that the partnerships we have developed and the strategies we’ve put into place are helping to overcome many of those challenges.”

Today, @RD_Alabama State Director Nivory Gordon is meeting with rural economic developers and attending the @MadeinAL Rural Development Conference in @CityofMGM. @usdaRD programs are key to economic growth in #RurAL! pic.twitter.com/1ieukE1poK

— USDA Rural Development Alabama (@RD_Alabama) October 25, 2022

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.