Alabama’s universities and colleges contribute significantly to the economic development of the State of Alabama. In 2015/16 International students alone brought over US$220.6 million to the Alabama economy, nationally this aspect of higher education’s global engagement efforts contributed over US$32 billion to the US economy. The State of Alabama foreign direct investments in 2015 topped US$3.5 billion by foreign companies from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom to name a few.

Alabama’s business sectors include Aerospace/Defense, Automotive, Agricultural Products/Food Production, Health, Steel/Metal, Forestry Products, Chemicals, Manufacturing and a wide range of service sectors. Research and Development is key to all of t

hese sectors and is supported through the efforts of the many research parks and centers of innovation located on or adjacent to the

many higher education institutions in the state.

Global Alabama – Map of Foreign Direct Investment businesses in Alabama (2018) (2014 version) and listing of companies.

For a listing of all employers across the US and in Alabama who hire foreign nationals, the data is provided annually by the United States Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) generates program data that is essential both for internal assessment of program effectiveness and for providing the Department’s external stakeholders with useful information about the immigration programs administered by OFLC. This site provides downloadable Excel files for each year on H-1b employers, etc.

Below are some of the key economic development partnerships and resources located in Alabama. For additions, corrections please contact studyalabama.us@gmail.com.

• Alabama Department of Commerce Made in Alabama and US Dept of Commerce Birmingham U.S. Export Assistance Center – US Commercial Service
• The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)
• Alabama International Trade Center (University of Alabama)
• Alabama Launchpad is a program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The EDPA Foundation partners with seven research universities in Alabama to promote and reward high-growth, innovative start-ups from across the state.
• Alabama Germany Partnership
• The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) consists of Chambers of Commerce, their executives and staff, and members of business and community organizations that directly serve chamber of commerce work in the State of Alabama.
• The Export Alabama Alliance (EAA) is a seamless network of international trade agencies with the fundamental objective to help Alabama companies grow their business internationally.
• The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama EDPA is a private, non-profitorganization supported by more than 70 Corporate Partners – EDPA Resource Room
• Japan America Society of Alabama
• The North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA) is a business-driven organization with the mission to promote economic growth through international trade education, training and networking. NAITA is a non-profit membership organization.
• Southwest Alabama Manufacturing Community Designation by the US Dept of Commerce, the partnership includes: Workforce and higher education institutions: Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council, Mobile Works, AIDT Maritime Training Center, Bishop State Community College, Faulkner Community College, Mobile Area Education Foundation; Supply Chain: Alabama Technology Network, Partners for Growth, Coastal Innovation Hub, Central Gulf Industrial Alliance; Research: University of South Alabama; Infrastructure: Alabama State Port Authority, Alabama Power Company; Others: Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Gulf State Shipbuilding Consortium, MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, Alabama District Export Council, Austal, Ingalls