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Legal Aspects of Doing Business in North America - 2nd Edition - Loose leaf
Legal Aspects of Doing Business in North America - 2nd Edition - Electronic
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Alabama
Bradley Arant Rose & White, LLP
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Introduction
Alabama is centrally located in the fastest growing region of the United States, the
Southeast. Substantial economic development expansion in recent years indicates that
Alabama is becoming a center of economic development in the Southeast. According to a
research report by Dun & Bradstreet, Alabama recorded the highest growth of new businesses
in the nation for 1997. According to the report, 16 per cent more businesses started
in Alabama in 1997 over 1996. The report states that 2,480 new businesses started in Alabama
in 1997, compared with 2,138 in 1996. Total announced capital investment for 1997
was US $2.7 billion representing more than 22,000 new jobs.
Among the manufacturing facilities under construction or in service in recent months are
Trico Steel Company, LLC, a joint venture among three leading integrated steel producers
from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan; Briggs & Stratton, Mercedes
Benz USA, Boeing, Tuscaloosa Steel, Mead Corporation and Hoerbiger Drivetech USA.
Service and tourism activity continues to contribute to economic development in Alabama.
The famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has contributed significantly to economic
development at the seven sites throughout the state and has a resulted in a substantial
increase in tourism.
According to Site Selection Magazine, based on population, Alabama was first in the
nation in industrial development during 1988–1991. In 1990, Alabama tied with California
for first in the nation in new research and development facilities. Later in this decade,
when Americans voyage to space in a permanent orbiting space platform, Space Station
Freedom, the trip will take place in a platform manufactured in Alabama at Boeing
Huntsville. Alabamians also take pride in knowing that 10 per cent of the anti-cancer
drugs used in the world today were invented at the Southern Research Institute in
Birmingham.
Alabama’s international business activity has grown immensely during the past 10 years,
now counting about 280 foreign companies that have made investments here, with 201 of
the companies investing in manufacturing facilities. Alabama’s foreign export trade also
has grown with more and more Alabama companies finding and expanding overseas
markets.
