Report: Steady Job Growth In State
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: March 19, 2013
New figures released Tuesday by Governor Robert Bentley and the Alabama Department of Commerce show remarkable growth in job creation and capital investment across Alabama.
The 2012 New and Expanding Industries Report shows companies have announced more than 38,000 new jobs and more than $9.4 billion in investments in the state since Governor Bentley took office in early 2011.
The report for 2012 shows a 32-percent increase in capital investment over 2011 and a 148-percent increase as compared to 2010. In 2012, companies announced 20,847 new jobs and $5,405,382,649 in investment coming to Alabama. That was up from 17,248 jobs and $4,083,056,603 in investment in 2011.
"Job creation remains my number-one priority, and these figures reflect the tremendous progress we're making in Alabama," Governor Bentley said. "We're constantly recruiting new companies and encouraging existing companies to expand and hire more people. We have the best workers and the best workforce training programs of anywhere in the world. We have a positive business climate, and we have competitive incentives. We have a low cost of doing business. All of this combined helps us recruit more jobs. We will continue working with lawmakers, economic development agencies, industries and educators to build on this progress."
Governor Bentley shared the news with lawmakers and economic development partners at the Alabama Department of Commerce's unveiling of its new brand and website, www.MadeInAlabama.com.
"Alabama has an incredible story to tell when it comes to business development and manufacturing," said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. "From major U.S. facilities for both Boeing and Airbus, to manufacturing plants for four international automakers, Alabama is home to some of the best companies in the world. Our new website and the Made In Alabama brand will work to tell that story and to further the incredible momentum we have seen over the last two years."
In 2012, 77 new companies announced plans to locate in Alabama, bringing 6,558 jobs to the state and more than $2.732 billion in capital investment. During the same year, 355 companies already located in Alabama announced they would add 14,289 jobs and more than $2.672 billion in additional capital investment.
The largest economic development announcements in 2012 included the announcement of Airbus's first stateside assembly plant in Mobile, which will create 1,000 new Airbus jobs and thousands of additional construction and supplier jobs. Major announcements in 2012 also included a $1.2 billion expansion at Walter Energy, along with expansions at Austal USA, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama and many other companies.
The top-ranking county in 2012 based on capital investment was Tuscaloosa with projects totaling $1,406,980,000. Other top-ranking counties and investments included Mobile, $777,766,000; Jefferson, $611,616,000; Morgan, $434,255,000; Madison, $236,077,749; Lee, $198,300,000; Jackson, $178,500,000; Talladega, $151,500,000; and Montgomery, $131,862,056.
The top-ranking county in 2012 rated by the number of jobs announced was Mobile with 2,586 jobs announced. Other high-ranking counties included Jefferson, 2,351; Montgomery, 2,068; Madison, 1,346; and Tuscaloosa, 1,338.
