Gov. Kay Ivey today announced the release of the 2024 New & Expanding Industry Announcements Report, highlighting another banner year for Alabama’s economy. The report reveals that economic development efforts last year secured $7 billion in new capital investment across 224 projects, generating more than 8,500 career opportunities for Alabamians.

Ivey said these results reinforce Alabama’s position as a premier destination for business growth, innovation and job creation.

“Alabama’s economy is on the move, and this report proves it,” Ivey said. “With more than $7 billion in new investments and thousands of jobs created, we are building a future filled with opportunity. Companies around the world see Alabama as the place to invest, grow and succeed — and we’re just getting started.”

The 2024 report spotlights key industry expansions across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, aerospace, technology and logistics. Among the high-impact projects announced last year:

• Novelis is investing an additional $1.6 billion in its integrated aluminum mill in Baldwin County, pushing the total investment in the project to more than $4 billion.
• Meta Platforms launched plans for an $800 million data center in Montgomery, supporting 100 operational jobs and building on the company’s earlier $1 billion-plus investments in Alabama.
• Coca-Cola Bottling United is investing $330 million in a new headquarters and production/distribution facility in Birmingham, creating 50 jobs and preserving 750 existing positions.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United is investing $330 million to build a new Birmingham Coca-Cola facility in the city’s Kingston community. (Coca-Cola United)

Ivey also underscored the state’s commitment to rural economic growth. The report shows that Alabama’s rural counties attracted $1.2 billion in investment in 2024, creating nearly 1,700 jobs.

A breakout project landing in rural Alabama last year came from Republic Airways’ LIFT Academy, which is establishing a flight training center at historic Moton Field in Macon County. LIFT (Leadership in Flight Training) is creating 35 jobs and bringing 57 flight instructors to train the next generation of aviators in Tuskegee.

“We are making sure economic prosperity reaches every corner of our state,” Ivey said. “From advanced manufacturing to aviation training and auto parts production, rural Alabama is on the rise. These investment projects are transforming communities and creating lasting opportunities.”

LIFT Academy is teaming with Tuskegee University and the City of Tuskegee to base a flight training center at storied Moton Field, where the Tuskegee Airmen received flight training. (Hal Yeager / Governor’s Office)

Ellen McNair, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the state’s economic momentum is being fueled by targeted strategies and forward-thinking initiatives. In 2024, Alabama launched Catalyst, a strategic economic growth plan aimed at driving innovation, attracting talent and ensuring long-term prosperity.

McNair highlighted the importance of these initiatives in sustaining Alabama’s economic expansion.

“Through Catalyst, SEEDS (Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy) and the Growing Alabama programs, we’re taking a proactive approach to growth,” she said. “These programs are not only bringing investment and jobs but also strengthening our communities and positioning Alabama as a leader in global industry.”

With continued support from the Alabama Legislature and statewide economic development partners, Ivey expressed confidence in the state’s future.

“Alabama’s best days are ahead,” she said. “We will keep building on this momentum, creating jobs and ensuring that Alabama remains a powerhouse for economic growth.”

Download the report.

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.