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A Message from the President

At EDPA we're constantly looking for ways to stay in touch with the people we serve. In this day and age, that's sometimes hard to do. In an effort to keep you informed of the Partnership's activities, we are revitalizing our Developments publication - with a twist. From now on, you'll be receiving this e-newsletter once a month. We'll give you updates on our activities, and provide news and information that may prove useful to you. I hope that this publication, like our NewsFlash e-mails and Partners magazine, becomes a valuable tool. Please read on and, if you like it, we'd like to hear from you...If you don't, we'd like to hear that too. I, and the team at EDPA, thank you for your support, and look forward to continued cooperation to move Alabama forward.

Alabama hosts top execs in Germany

EDPA, the Alabama Development Office, Metropolitan Development Board of Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority joined forces with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International to host consultants and executives of European companies at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, where guests viewed the prestigous race from the Mercedes VIP Lounge. The event, which includes a business program, highlights the pro-business environment of Alabama and the successes acheived by businesses located here. This is the fifth time that Mercedes has partnered with the state at a Mercedes sporting event to promote Alabama.

Where to find Alabama - Upcoming events

You may already know that Alabama lies in the heart of the Southeast, the country's fastest growing economy. But did you also know that we can be found across the globe? We'd like you to visit Alabama so we can show you what we have to offer, but you can also look for us in the following places:

• German American Chamber of Commerce - South, Unification Conference and Annual Gala; Oct. 3 & 4; Atlanta
• National Business Aviation Association; Oct. 7-9; Orlando, Fla.
• CoreNet Global Summit; Oct. 11-15; Atlanta.
• Southeast U.S.-Korea Joint Conference; Seoul, Korea.
• Southeast U.S.-Japan Association Joint Meeting; Osaka, Japan; October.
• Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Annual Meeting; Nov. 8-11; Hilton Head, S.C.
• Southeastern Bio Investor Conference; Nov. 10 & 11; Pinehurst, N.C.
• Performance Racing Industry; Dec. 4-6; Indianapolis.
• Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress; March 2004; Detroit.
• CoreNet Global Summit; May 2004; Chicago.

SB&D Rural Issue

EDPA is again co-sponsoring the fall issue of Southern Business & Development magazine, which will highlight rural economic development in the South. This sponsorship makes it possible for Alabama’s rural communities to purchase an ad at a special reduced rate. For more information about advertising in the SB&D rural development issue, call the publication at 205-733-1970.

Existing industry opportunity

The EDPA Foundation has purchased Synchcronist, a nationally recognized, proven existing industry software system, for use in the state. We are offering local development offices and regional alliances the opportunity to purchase sublicenses for this system at a substantially discounted cost. The EDPA Foundation will introduce the system in September and October at each of the 10 ATN centers. The system provides insight into condition and needs of local industry, and through standardized surveys, provides an analytical tool for decision making. It can produce over 40 preprogrammed or custom reports on existing industry data. Among other benefits, it will:

• Identify companies with the best growth potential.
• Predict companies at risk.
• Place your organization in a leadership position.
• Maximize the value of meeting company executives.
• Give critical insight.
• Capture consistent results regardless of interviewer.

Want to do business with Hyundai?

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Hyundai will host "Doing Business with Hyundai" at the Carmichael Center in Montgomery at 9:30 a.m. The seminar will provide information, forms and contacts for possible supplier selection, including construction, general office and other services. To register for the meeting, e-mail billlang@hmmausa.com. Only e-mail registrations will be accepted. Do not contact Hyundai . Carmichael Center is located at 150 Fleming Road in Montgomery. For a map and driving directions, visit www.carmichaelcenter.com.

Need information?

Whether you're a consultant or community, EDPA's Business Information group is your source for proposal assistance. Working as a liaison between state and local groups, EDPA's Business Information team provides one-stop, prompt, confidential responses for your information needs. During the month of August, EDPA has:

• Fulfilled 101 demographics requests for 7 clients.
• Visited 9 Alabama communities to document available buildings & sites.
• Assisted with or fully developed 17 proposals.
• Fielded 982 searches on its statewide buildings and sites database.

Did you know?

Alabama is a "Hot Spot" for plastics!

Alabama is the 5th best location in the world for plastics companies, according to a survey conducted by Business Facilities magazine. The publication's editors polled consultants, real estate executives and site location experts, asking them to rate the hottest markets for the plastics industry. Alabama ranked just ahead of Mexico and Pennsylvania, which tied for sixth.

Media Sources

Since our inception in 1991, reporters from across the globe have turned to EDPA for quick, accurate information relating to economic development in Alabama. We field requests daily regarding Alabama's business climate, industries and economic growth. If we can't answer your question, we can point you in the right direction so you're never left wasting valuable time against your deadline.

If you are a member of the news media, please contact:
Steve Sewell, 205.943.4742, ssewell@edpa.org.

Are you getting your Alabama economic development news?

To receive daily digests of economic development news from on-line papers across Alabama, sign up for a free subscription to EDPA Newsflash. Subscribe by clicking below, and have news abstracts, along with links to the on-line article, delivered to your mailbox.

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Birmingham, AL 35209
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