GOOD NEWS: Additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing, refers to the process of building parts through the combination of material, layer-by-layer, from a CAD file. The GE Aviation facility in Auburn made history in 2015 when it became the first mass manufacturing center to produce jet engine parts. GE Aviation remains at the forefront of research and development, and their impressive personnel have achieved yet another milestone - over 100,000 fuel nozzle tips to have shipped from the Auburn plant as of August 2021. GE Aviation’s accomplishments continue to highlight Alabama’s role in supporting the aerospace and defense industries.
Dr. Nicole Jones #Our67

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter:
https://www.alreporter.com/2021/08/31/ge-aviation-in-auburn-ships-100000th-fuel-nozzle/

GOOD NEWS: KBR’s decision to expand its footprint in Huntsville is an excellent choice considering the area’s longstanding presence of aerospace and defense. Human capital is a critical component if the site selection process, and for decades, north Alabama has been home to a talent pool that can perform well in highly skilled, technical jobs.

Dr. Nicole Jones #Our67

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter: 
https://www.alreporter.com/2021/08/24/kbr-is-expanding-in-alabama-adding-160-jobs/​

​GOOD NEWS : Businesses and organizations will partner with the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub to create programs that will prepare students for in-demand careers in the fields of agriculture, hospitality, information technology, and healthcare. The workforce development initiative will therefore have long-term significance for Sylacauga, Talladega County, and our entire state. Thank you, Governor Ivey, for your commitment to workforce development for rural Alabamians.

Dr. Nicole Jones #Our67

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter: www.alreporter.com/2021/08/23/ivey-applauds-sylacauga-schools-for-plan-to-rehabilitate-avondale-mills-site/

GOOD NEWS: At the new factory in Opelika, Hanwha Cimmaron will create carbon fiber wrapped hydrogen storage tanks - products that are applicable across a variety of industries including aerospace, defense, marine, and rail. Alabama has a diversified economy, which is a result of years of collaboration between the public and private sector. Even amidst a pandemic, the state of Alabama has been a model of how to maintain an environment conducive for business.

Dr. Nicole Jones #Our67

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter: ​www.alreporter.com/2021/08/18/hanwha-cimarron-to-invest-130-million-in-lee-county-plant/

GOOD NEWS: The State of Alabama invests $16.5MM in a public-private partnership between the University of Alabama, Alabama Power, and Mercedes (transportation R&D building). For over 25 years, Alabama has worked to position itself as a worldwide leader in the automotive industry. This workforce development initiative is a collaboration between the public and private sector that will allow our state to be at the forefront of research and development efforts in a dynamic field. The long-term investment in Alabama’s human capital will ultimately demonstrate how Alabamians have the brainpower to create products and services that will allow us to continue to compete in a global economy.

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter: https://www.alreporter.com/.../ivey-announces-16-5.../

Campus photo credit: UA
Pictured with Marcus Shaffer, COO Diamler Mercedes (Germany); Bibb County Mercedes Battery Plant Groundbreaking in 2018

We enjoy supporting local farmers by purchasing fresh vegetables and jams from Reeve's Farm in Hartselle. #Our67 #FarmToTable #AlabamaAgriculture ​

This week we attended one of the best Alabama State Bar conferences yet, filled with a variety of seminars and activities applicable to all attendees. Attorney Fred Gray, who represented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, served as the keynote speaker at lunch. The Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution gave an excellent presentation on how mediation can save both parties time and money. Everyone had opportunities to learn and have a good time as well.

Congratulations to new President Taze Shepard. Thank you who to all who planned and participated in the 144th Annual Meeting. #Our67

GOOD AEROSPACE NEWS : We are in another space race, and Alabamians contribute daily to the ongoing research and development and achievement of milestones. Earlier this year NASA and Boeing announced a late summer timeframe targeted for the launch of Starliner’s uncrewed Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and the latest update shows progress toward this objective. Boeing stated they are optimistic of the Starliner vehicle itself, the team, as well as upcoming missions. For decades, Alabamians have contributed to R&D efforts that have changed the world. The progress with Starliner shows how local jobs contribute to the new space ecosystem and highlights our state’s critical role in the aerospace industry and national security. #Our67

Dr. Nicole Jones

More here in the Alabama Political Reporter: https://www.alreporter.com/.../nasa-boeing-prepare-for.../
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[Photo Credit: Boeing]

On this day in 2004, Ronald Reagan passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 93.

"President Reagan was one of my closest political and dearest personal friends. He will be missed not only by those who knew him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply, but also by millions of men and women who live in freedom today because of the policies he pursued. Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired. To have achieved so much against so many odds and with such humour and humanity made Ronald Reagan a truly great American hero."
― Margaret Thatcher, Statement on the death of President Ronald Reagan.

​Photo Credit: The Grocer's Daughter