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April 13, 2026 Barton, Ala.-The Shoals area continues to develop sites primed and ready for industry. Today’s check presentation of a SEEDS Act Grant award from the Alabama Department of Commerce showcases a recent project aligned with this goal. The Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA) has secured a $3,030,248 Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) site development grant from the State of Alabama. This grant will be used to acquire approximately 70 acres within the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park—creating a 131-acre contiguous site. First enacted in 2023, the SEEDS Act is a grant program designed to help accelerate the development of new economic development sites across the state. The SEEDS Act addresses the need for quality industrial ready sites to ensure Alabama is ready for growth. “Northwest Alabama has always been a place of hard work and determination, and this grant is a testament to what’s possible when the state and local partners invest in the same vision,” Governor Ivey said. “By expanding the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park into a 131-acre job-ready site, we’re opening the door for the kind of industry that creates careers for Colbert County families for generations to come.” “Alabama’s SEEDS Act is doing

Secretary of the Navy Phelan, Rep. Aderholt, Rep. Rogers, Sen. Wicker, Sen. Britt, and Sen. Tuberville attend ribbon cutting of new $2.4 billion public-private facility in Cherokee, Alabama CHEROKEE, Ala., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hadrian, the advanced manufacturing company, today opened a new facility in Cherokee, Alabama dedicated to the U.S. Navy’s Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside state and local leaders. Known as Factory 4, the Cherokee facility is an advanced, highly automated manufacturing plant that will mass-produce components needed for submarine construction, including parts, assemblies, and finished products. These products have been identified by the industry as the largest drivers of submarine schedules, so increasing production allows submarines to also be produced faster. F4 will be one of three facilities producing systems for the maritime industrial base, with one of the facilities slated to be a Foundry of the Future, focused on castings and forging. The contract with the Navy is structured as a public-private partnership combining more than $1.5 billion in private capital with $900 million

Economic development is a long game. The decisions made today—often quietly and behind the scenes—can take years to fully materialize. Rarely do economic development efforts produce immediate results. Instead, they are rooted in long-term thinking, careful planning, and a clear vision for a community’s future. At The Shoals Economic Development Authority (EDA), every plan, project, and investment is made with that future in mind. One of the clearest examples of this forward-looking approach is the development of speculative product. From Available to Prepared Preparation is where speculative product truly adds value. Before any dirt is moved, sites in The Shoals undergo careful evaluation to ensure they are viable, competitive locations for development. This includes environmental due diligence, site studies, and long-range planning. Once a site is deemed suitable, the focus shifts to infrastructure readiness—ensuring utilities such as power, water, sewer, and access to transportation networks are in place or readily available. Only then does the site move into its final form, whether that is a cleared parcel, a building pad, or a speculative building. This proactive work significantly reduces development timelines and removes uncertainty for companies considering expansion or relocation. Why Speed Matters A helpful way to think about speculative

We’ve compiled a list of events happening across The Shoals this holiday season! We know we couldn’t have found them all, so be sure to check the other websites and local organizations for more festive fun. The events and items listed are not associated with the Shoals EDA. Please confirm the information with the host of each event or direct any questions to each host. Event Name Event Location Event Date Link for more info Boot-H Scootin Boogy Funky Monkey of the Shoals, Muscle Shoals November 28th-30th https://www.facebook.com/share/1AUdQcfHQf/ 2025 Holiday Christmas Vendor Market Rudy’s Nursery & Garden Center, Killen November 29th https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANhccqRQf/ Young Entrepreneurs Christmas Market on Small Business Saturday SEER, Florence November 29th https://www.facebook.com/share/17rLZNQ71A/ Christmas Handprint Pottery- Muscle Shoals The Artsy Place Muscle Shoals  November 29th & December 5th https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZYMnCjtyv/ Messy Maker- November 29- Christmas Snow Globes SEER, Florence November 29th https://www.facebook.com/share/17bbAa2ZkT/ Brunch with Santa Cypress Lakes, Muscle Shoals November 30th https://www.facebook.com/share/19wFG1Ahbm/ Tuscumbia Christmas Parade Tuscumbia Historic District December 2nd https://www.colbertcountytourism.org/all-events/?event=4898 Home for the Holidays with John Paul White & Friends Norton Auditorium, Florence December 3rd https://www.facebook.com/share/1JJHhgxoFi/ Holiday Hoopla- The Gingerbread Man SEER, Florence December 3rd https://www.facebook.com/share/17SjVmhj5i/ Pictures with Santa Sheffield Public Library December 3rd https://www.colbertcountytourism.org/all-events/?event=4852 Killen Christmas Tree

In today’s economy, talent is one of the most valuable resources a community can offer. In The Shoals region of Northwest Alabama, that resource is growing stronger every day. Through a robust higher education ecosystem, The Shoals is developing a highly skilled, adaptable workforce that meets the evolving needs of business and industry. With institutions like the University of North Alabama (UNA) and Northwest-Shoals Community College (NWSCC) leading the way, education and economic development work hand-in-hand to create opportunity — not only for students but for the companies that call this region home. Termed Alabama’s Workforce Development University, UNA plays a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of professionals and leaders. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in business, engineering technology, healthcare, and computer science, UNA emphasizes real-world learning through internships, research projects, and industry partnerships. To meet the evolving needs of employers, UNA has also expanded its micro-credential programs, which are short, focused learning opportunities that allow individuals to gain specialized skills in areas such as data analytics, leadership, project management, and digital marketing. These flexible, stackable credentials give businesses a way to upskill employees quickly and help professionals stay current in a rapidly changing

September marks the 20th anniversary of Workforce Development Month, an annual observance created by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) to highlight the vital role workforce programming plays in building vibrant economies. As Alabama continues to strengthen its reputation as a top state for doing business, the Shoals Economic Development Authority (EDA) is seizing this opportunity to spotlight how workforce development is driving our region’s competitiveness and long-term growth. Why Workforce Development Matters In today’s economy, workforce readiness is more than a talking point—it’s a determining factor for where companies choose to invest. The recently released Top States for Doing Business 2025 rankings emphasize the importance of talent attraction, training programs, and education systems in shaping business decisions. Alabama’s commitment to preparing its workforce has played a major role in the state’s continued success as a competitive business destination. For the Shoals, investing in people means investing in the future. Workforce development links jobseekers with training, connects educational institutions to employers, and ensures businesses have access to the skilled talent they need to succeed. Strong talent pipelines aren’t just beneficial for companies—they create opportunities for families, strengthen communities, and fuel regional prosperity. Alabama’s Statewide Strengths Alabama has become