Information Technology
Focuses
IT Business Services
Companies that deliver end-to-end services and solutions, which may include strategic IT and business consulting, systems integration, intellectual property, and managed IT and business process services. Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, by year 2026, service-providing industries expected to account for majority of 11.5 million newly created jobs in IT.Software Development
Companies that develop process programmers use to build computer programs.Data Center
A data center is a facility composed of networked computers and storage that companies or other organizations use to organize, process, store and disseminate large amounts of data.workers in the IT sector (2020)
average wages of nearly $56,600
(43% less than state average)
Sophisticated Infrastructure
Telecommunications/Broadband Access
- Companies in North Alabama have access to all modes of telecommunications, including high-speed fiber connectivity
- Heavy fiber infrastructure exists in downtown Florence with multiple providers (Comcast Cable, AT&T and Windstream) making it a great location for broadband connectivity
- Co-located providers utilize SONET rings and diverse feeds to offer redundancy to customers
- Florence/Lauderdale Industrial Park is designated as “Fiber-Ready”, by AT&T
Electricity Supply and Reliability
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and its 22 distributors in North Alabama provide reasonable prices and reliability (99.999 percent since 2000) in The Shoals
- TVA electricity in the region is generated from three hydro-electric dams, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, two natural gas energy centers and solar farms
Transportation
Airports- Northwest Alabama Regional Airport located in The Shoals, offer flights to/from Nashville and Atlanta
- Following international airports within approximately 2 hours of the area:
- Huntsville International Airport: 1 hour
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport: 2 hours
- Nashville International Airport: 2 hours
Available Workforce With Technical Skills
Labor Force
- The Shoals has a labor force of nearly 171,000 within a 60-minute drive time
- The Shoals Primary Labor Shed, comprised of eight counties, has a population of 387,000, supplying nearly 88% of total workforce in area
Sector Employment
- The Shoals is projected to have 7.3 percent growth over next five years (2020 – 2025)
- NAIDA region had 19% growth over past 5 years (2014 – 2019) and 14% growth projected over next 5 years (2020 – 2025) in IT sector
Remote Shoals Program
- Remote workers locating to The Shoals are eligible for an incentive reimbursement from $6,000 to $10,000 through the Remote Shoals Program.
- Remote Shoals programs received over 200 applications from 33 states in 2019
Higher Education and Training
Northwest Shoals Community College (NW-SCC)
Northwest-Shoals Community College is a two-year college that offers extensive tech workforce training opportunities. Associate degrees and certificates are available with learning tracks in:
- PC Maintenance/Security - Software Development
- Computer Information Systems - Pre-Computer Science
- PC Maintenance/Security Technician - PC Software Technician
Career tech students can also learn hands-on how to build their own apps in NWSCC’s innovative App Development with Swift course. With a course curriculum designed by educators and engineers from Apple, the course gives students the opportunity to learn how to program their own apps, and gain experience in the rapidly-growing mobile app development space.
University of North Alabama (UNA)
UNA’s Workforce Development program offers courses of study in disciplines like Computer Science, CIS, IT, Cybersecurity, Software Development, and HCI/UX.
The University’s College of BusinessCollege of Business has even implemented coding courses for students who major in a business discipline. It hosts the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Lab, a hands-on, state-of-the-art training environment for students studying cybersecurity. A new Linux-based teaching lab with 30 seats is set to open in spring 2020.
The University has its finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving tech industry and is keenly aware of how it influences industrial growth and regional economic development.
Undergraduate IT Programs
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Computer
- Information Systems (CIS)
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in IT
- Minor in Human Computer Interaction/User Experience
- (UX), training students to lead and work in tech
Graduate Degree IT Programs
- Masters in Business Administration (MBA) – Information Systems Concentration
- Master of Professional Studies – IT
COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCES
In 2019, the following computer & information sciences programs were completed within a 60-mile radius of the Shoals:
Code Alabama
Code Alabama is a workforce training initiative offered through the UNA Center for Learning and Professional Development to train entry-level programmers. Students who complete the program:
- Understand fundamental programming concepts
- Are proficient in at least one programming language
- Are prepared to work as junior software developers
Students may concentrate in:
- Programming languages (Java, C#, C++, etc.)
- Web development (HTML, CSS, Javascript, web development frameworks)
- Mobile development (Android, iOS, cross-platform frameworks)
Building or Site that Meets Criteria
- Studio 220 in Florence offers modern, open coworking space with high-speed wireless Internet (AT&T Fiber) and conference room space available within walking distance of UNA
- Shoals TechSpace in Florence has 15,000 square feet available
- Florence is home to a TVA certified Primary Data Center Advantage Site
Business Environment
State of Alabama
- #7 on Area Development magazine’s 2020 Best States for Business list
- Business Facilities magazine 2019 State Rankings Report
- #3 State Business Climate
- #2 State for Workforce Training
- #5 for Economic Growth Potential
- State of the Year – Southern Business & Development (2019)
- Deals of the Year – Southern Business & Development (2019)
- Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA (Huntsville)
- Amazon Fulfillment Center (Bessemer)
- Airbus A220 (Mobile)
- Mercedes-Benz EV Battery Assembly Plan (Bibb County)
- Alabama is a right to work state
