Tine Hoffmeister

Alabama ranked No. 9 among the states in job-creating economic development projects per capita, a measurement that places smaller states on a more level playing field in the analysis. The state’s per capita ranking in 2019 was No. 6. In addition, Huntsville, Decatur, Auburn-Opelika and Cullman all earned high rankings in the 2020 “Site Selection” […]

At the start of the year, many Germans were complaining about a shortage of coronavirus vaccines that could free them from onerous lockdowns and limited social lives. Just weeks later, many are now upset that they’re not getting the vaccine they want. As people around the world clamor for inoculations, and many countries have seen severe shortages,

The chancellor reportedly told a closed-door meeting of conservative lawmakers that Germany is already in a “third wave,” and warned against a hasty reopening. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that Germany will need to re-open cautiously and step-by-step in order to avoid a sudden return to lockdown if COVID infections pick up again. “We cannot

Strong exports and solid construction activity helped the German economy to grow by a better-than-expected 0.3% in the final quarter of last year, but stricter lockdown measures at home and abroad are clouding the outlook for Europe’s largest economy. The data, published by the Federal Statistics Office on Wednesday, marked an upward revision to its

Auburn University has opened the doors to a sophisticated new autonomous vehicle research facility at Auburn’s National Center for Asphalt Technology, or NCAT, test track—one of the few facilities of its kind in the nation attached to a test track. The addition will aid researchers in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s GPS and Vehicle Dynamics

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier announced a slew of planned improvements to Germany’s shutdown that would support businesses and self-employed people following a consultation with more than 40 business associations on Tuesday. The minister, a member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), revealed plans for a one-off payment of €7,500 ($9,080) to self-employed workers who have been hit

The exterior of the highly anticipated 600,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc. (MBUSI) battery plant in Bibb County has been completed. That sets the stage for equipment installation needed to build electric batteries for a new lineup of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. Two new warehouses are also now in full operation at the Bibb County site. MBUSI

The city of Cullman has received a $350,000 grant that will help a manufacturer add 125 new jobs. Cullman will use the Community Development Block Grant to provide road improvements and improve traffic safety to a main thoroughfare to REHAU Inc., which produces plastic-injection products that are used in the manufacturing of Alabama-built vehicles, including

A $258,000 grant will lead to an estimated 162 immediate new jobs in Tuscaloosa County, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office has announced. Ivey announced that Tuscaloosa County, which is providing a $64,500 match to receive the funds, will use the Community Development Block Grant to provide infrastructure improvements and upgrades needed by Schnellecke Logistics Alabama to

The Alabama Legislature has approved plans to renew and expand economic incentives for businesses in Alabama. House Bill 192 (HB 192) was delivered to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Thursday after unanimously passing the Senate Wednesday and the House last week. Sponsored by Rep. Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa and Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper, the bill renews