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For a remote worker, the decision on where to live can be overwhelming. When all you need is robust internet access, it is almost like you’re given a blank check. You could throw a dart on a map or strategically narrow down countries, states, cities, etc. Whichever method is your preference, where to live is a major decision with many factors to consider. Two counties in Northwest Alabama, each with their notable history, learned they are stronger together and have worked closely to develop the community lovingly called The Shoals. Each part of The Shoals’ history– from the oldest university in Alabama to its rich musical background, including some of the greats like Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones, — has contributed

The Remote Shoals program, a remote worker relocation initiative of The Shoals EDA, was awarded its fourth round of funding increasing the total incentive funding to $1 Million. This remote-worker relocation program, inviting remote workers to Northwest Alabama, launched in June 2019 and has seen tremendous growth since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information or to apply, please visit https://remoteshoals.com/. FLORENCE, Ala.- As remote work continues to prove it is here to stay, Remote Shoals- a remote worker relocation program incentivizing remote workers to move to Northwest Alabama- progresses forward. In February 2022, the program received its fourth round of funding in the amount of $400,000 in incentives. Remote Shoals, spearheaded by the Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA), launched in June 2019

FLORENCE, ALA. – Kith Kitchens, a Haleyville, AL based manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinetry, celebrated the opening of their state-of-the-art cabinet manufacturing facility in Florence, Ala., on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Kith, recently recognized by the Alabama Department of Commerce and Governor Kay Ivey as one of Alabama’s leading manufacturers, held a Ribbon Cutting at their new location at 2184 Rushton St. in the Shoals Economic Development Authority’s (Shoals EDA) Florence-Lauderdale Industrial Park. This new $14 million investment will bring approximately 250 new job opportunities to Florence and the surrounding Shoals region. “Florence provides us with a great place in which to do business and proximity to the additional team members we need to add to

From Alabama Department of Commerce: MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey joined officials with Dura Automotive Systems today to celebrate the formal unveiling of the company’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals, which will produce electric vehicle battery enclosures.  The 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ more than 270 full-time workers at peak production, with an estimated investment of $75 million. It will supply lightweight aluminum EV battery enclosures to the Mercedes-Benz electric battery assembly plant in Bibb County. “It has been 25 years since Mercedes-Benz helped launch our automotive industry, and in that time, Alabama has grown to become a national leader in vehicle exports,” Governor Ivey said. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Dura Automotive Systems to Alabama’s

Ørsted’s recently completed solar panel project, called the Muscle Shoals solar project, is an 18,000-acre site with 670,000 solar panels located in Colbert County near the town of Cherokee. As Ørsted continues to invest in the green-energy profile in North Alabama, they are also investing into the local community with a recently announced donation of $35,000 to Cherokee High School. With this solar farm comes many different accolades. This first project in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Green Invest program is the largest solar energy farm in the TVA system and the state of Alabama. Producing a net capacity of 227 megawatts, which is the equivalent power of 36,300 homes annually, this solar farm will assist in the sustainability goals

A new study by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) found that The Shoals ranks as the top Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in Alabama for producing college and career ready high school graduates. The Shoals is home to six school systems that collectively have a higher level of educational success from its K-12 schools than any other MSA in the state of Alabama. According to the study, 68 percent of high school seniors in The Shoals are workforce ready and 74 percent of those students have earned workforce ready credentials. The school systems in The Shoals also led the state in the percentage of high school seniors who scored at the silver level or above on the ACT

Washington, DC – Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA) won a Silver Rank for Remote Shoals, a project in the category of Innovation Programs and Initiatives of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).The honor was presented today at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference, which is currently underway. “We could not be prouder of the success our Remote Shoals program has seen over the past year and are grateful to be able to offer The Shoals community as a home to remote workers,” states Mackenzie Cottles, Marketing & Communications Specialist with the Shoals EDA. “Seeing our Remote Shoals residents plug into and find their place in The Shoals community is truly something special.” IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships,

Here in The Shoals, we are fortunate to have outstanding resources for individuals and businesses alike. One of these resources is the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion at the University of North Alabama. This center shares knowledge and provides an inclusive space for faculty and students at the university and for the community as a whole. Dr. Andrea Hunt, Associate Professor of Sociology and Family Studies and the Director of the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion generously contributed the following piece for our blog. We are thankful to have people like Dr. Hunt and organizations like the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion as partners in adding to the beat that creates the vibe of The Shoals. The Mitchell-West Center for Social