Economic Development Partnership of Alabama

10/10/2025

🚀 EDPA, in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, today announced a comprehensive statewide strategy to recruit and support high-growth technology companies.

EDPA will use the Alabama Business Intelligence Center (AL Intel) to identify and target growth-stage companies in CatALyst priority sectors including defense technology, biotech, mobility, forestry and advanced manufacturing. Working alongside state and local partners, the organization will offer founders and their companies concierge-style support that ranges from funding and mentorship to workforce talent, incentives and direct customer access.

Read more about how we’re connecting founders, corporations, and statewide partners to grow Alabama’s innovation economy:

🔗 https://edpa.org/news-item/edpa-launches-statewide-technology-attraction-strategy-focused-on-founders/

Photo credit: Henry Busby

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - October 10, 2025 - The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in coordination with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Innovate Alabama, today announced a comprehensive statewide strategy to recruit and support high-growth technology companies.

09/02/2025

🚀 Big news for Alabama and our “Rocket City”!

We are thrilled about the official decision to re-locate U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama. This historic move will create over 1,500 direct jobs with potentially thousands more in indirect job opportunities of Alabama jobs and bring hundreds of billions in investment — another powerful example of Alabama remaining competitive on the global stage.

Huntsville already leads the way in aerospace and defense, home to U.S. Army Contracting Command–Redstone Arsenal, NASA, the Missile Defense Agency, the FBI, SpaceX, and Blue Origin. Adding Space Command cements its role as a true central command station for national security and innovation.

This decision has been a long time coming — and Alabama fought hard to make it happen. As House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers shared, the strategic benefits of locating Space Command in Huntsville are undeniable. 🎥 Watch the press conference here: https://lnkd.in/e8YzqH78

📖 Learn more:
➡️ Governor Ivey’s statement: https://governor.alabama.gov/newsroom/2025/09/governor-ivey-issues-statement-on-space-command-headquarters-coming-to-alabama/

➡️ Made in Alabama coverage: https://www.madeinalabama.com/2025/09/alabama-officials-praise-decision-to-locate-space-command-hq-in-huntsville/?utm_source=made+in+alabama&utm_medium=twitter,+facebook&utm_campaign=space_command_hq

➡️ CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-announce-space-command-headquarters-location/

President Trump announced U.S. Space Command headquarters will move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.

07/01/2025

Exciting news for Alabama’s economic landscape! 🌆 Applications for round 3 of the state's SEEDS grant program are officially LIVE and OPEN!

With $23 million in fresh funding dedicated to accelerating site development across our state, now is the time to position your community or industrial park for success.

🔹 What’s next?
✅ Review the program details
✅ Complete your application online
✅ Share with your networks

👉 Apply today at: https://edpa.org/programs-services/seeds/

📖 Learn more about the funding announcement here: https://www.madeinalabama.com/2025/06/23-million-in-new-seeds-funding-will-accelerate-site-development-across-alabama/

06/25/2025

We’re LIVE at our Investor Connector today! 🔥

Currently enjoying a special fireside chat over lunch—our heartfelt thanks to Endeavor and Malcolm McDonald for facilitating this conversation.

Meet our featured speakers:
Ian Hathaway
Co-founder & GP at Far Out VC • Founder/host of Outsider Inc. • Co-author of The Startup Community Way • Ex-Techstars SVP (creator of their pre-accelerator) • Advisor to Google, Goldman Sachs & more • Former Fed economist • UChicago grad, based in Santa Barbara

Shegun Otulana
Founder & CEO of Harmony Venture Labs (HVL) & Copysmith AI • Previously Founder & CEO of TheraNest & Therapy Brands (Ensora Health)

We’re honored to bring together companies shaping Alabama’s innovation economy and investors offering expertise, curiosity, and connections. Today isn’t just about capital—it’s about building pipelines and closing rounds.

Startups, we hope you leave with new partners and stronger deal flow. Investors, discover fresh opportunities and see why Alabama’s tech ecosystem is on the rise.

Thank you to our investors for empowering innovation, and to our founders for taking bold leaps.

05/27/2025

🚀 Powering Growth in Alabama
From bold ideas to thriving industries, Alabama is where innovation and opportunity meet.

We’re proud to be part of the momentum—watch how we’re powering growth across the state:

05/26/2025

Today, we pause to remember the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their dedication to protecting our freedoms is the foundation on which strong communities and lasting opportunities are built.

At the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, we are deeply grateful for these heroes—and for the families who carry their legacy forward.

This Memorial Day, we honor their memory, reflect on their sacrifice, and give thanks for the freedoms they secured for us all.

05/15/2025

🌟 Big news from EDPA! 🌟

We’re excited to share that our fourth HBCU Innovation Internship cohort is officially underway! This program connects students from Alabama’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities with high-growth startups and innovation hubs across the state—giving them hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, technology, and investment.

Thanks to support from partners like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., and
Innovate Alabama, this internship continues to grow—nearly doubling in size from last year!

We’re proud to help build pathways for talented students to thrive in Alabama’s innovation economy. The future is bright—and it’s being shaped right here in our state. 💼🌱

📖 Read the full story:
https://edpa.org/news-item/edpa-builds-innovation-pathways-for-hbcu-students-with-launch-of-fourth-hbcu-innovation-internship-cohort/

01/28/2025

📢 Exciting News for Alabama! 📢

We’re proud to announce that EDPA has acquired Birmingham Bound to expand its success statewide! This move strengthens our efforts to attract, retain, and grow businesses across Alabama, ensuring companies have the support and connections they need to thrive.

And that’s not all—we’re hiring! If you’re passionate about economic development and want to make an impact in Alabama, now is the time to join our team.

🔹 Learn more: https://edpa.org/news-item/edpa-acquires-birmingham-bound-to-expand-its-proven-success-statewide/
🔹 We’re actively hiring a Director of Technology Company Business Attraction:https://edpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Job-Description_Director-Tech-Company-BA-1.pdf

Together, we’re shaping Alabama’s future!

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) is proud to announce the acquisition of Birmingham Bound, a pioneering initiative that has successfully attracted over 20 technology companies to the Birmingham area since its founding in 2018. Originally launched by Shipt to support Birmingham....

01/27/2025

🚀 Welcome, Jordan Howard! 🚀
We’re excited to announce that Jordan Howard has joined the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama as Vice President of Strategic Alliances.

In this role, Jordan will collaborate with economic development partners across the state to align efforts and drive Alabama’s growth. Jordan also serves as the Administrative Officer for the Alabama Growth Alliance, a key initiative bringing together public and private leaders to strengthen Alabama’s economic development success. With his extensive experience in public policy and economic development, Jordan is poised to make a significant impact on our state’s future.

📲Learn more about Jordan and his new role here: https://edpa.org/news-item/jordan-howard-joins-economic-development-partnership-of-alabama-as-vice-president-of-strategic-alliances/

Join us in welcoming Jordan to the EDPA team! Together, we’re building a stronger Alabama.

Birmingham, AL (January 27, 2025) – The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) is pleased to announce the addition of Jordan Howard as Vice President of Strategic Alliances. In this role, Jordan will work to foster collaboration and alignment among Alabama’s economic development orga...

01/27/2025

10/16/2024

📣 Exciting Leadership Announcement from EDPA!

We are thrilled to share that Miller Girvin has been named the next President of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, effective January 1, 2025.

Miller, currently our Chief Operations Officer, brings a wealth of experience in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth across Alabama. With her strong track record of driving growth initiatives and her strategic vision for the state’s innovation ecosystem, Girvin is seen as the ideal leader to continue advancing EDPA’s mission.

She will be succeeding Greg Barker, who will retire at the end of 2024 after four years of remarkable leadership. We are incredibly grateful for Greg’s dedication and the legacy he leaves behind.

Join us in congratulating Miller Girvin on her new role!

Read more here:

Birmingham, Ala. – October 16, 2024 - The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Miller Girvin as its next President, effective January 1, 2025. This transition follows the retirement of Greg Barker, who will step down as President of EDPA on D...