Alabama Department of Commerce

What Alabama Department of Commerce does

The Alabama Department of Commerce is the State of Alabama's primary economic and workforce development agency, headquartered at 401 Adams Avenue in Montgomery. Founded in 1969 and operating under the executive branch of state government with 11–50 staff, the department functions as a one-stop site-selection and incentive-negotiation platform for domestic and foreign companies evaluating U.S. locations. Its Business Development Division runs proactive field-sales-style outreach, supplemented by permanent international representative offices in Tokyo (via Tractus), Seoul (via Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers), and Stuttgart (led by Director Christoph Dörr). It maintains a network of local economic development partners across all 67 Alabama counties and participates in flagship global industry events including SelectUSA, BIO International, Battery Show Europe, Singapore Airshow, and the Paris Air Show.

The agency's service portfolio spans tax incentives (Job Creation Tax Credit, Apprenticeship Tax Credit, Port Credit), workforce training via AIDT, site selection assistance, export support, rural development, and grant administration. Beyond recruitment, it co-builds state-level infrastructure, including the Be Linked broadband middle-mile network (deployed through Alabama Fiber Network, eight electric cooperatives, and an Alabama Power fiber lease using $200M+ in federal Treasury grants) and the Alabama Mobility and Power (AMP) Center for EV battery R&D with the University of Alabama, Alabama Power, and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. Its "Made in Alabama" brand (madeinalabama.com) is the marketing front end, supported by multi-platform social channels and the Governor's Trade Excellence Awards.

The department is funded through state appropriations and federal grant pass-throughs rather than commercial revenue; services are provided free of charge to qualifying businesses. It does not sell products and has no traditional customers in the commercial sense—its "clients" are enterprises it recruits and supports, with cumulative outcomes including $19B+ in FDI since 2020, $23.7B in 2025 exports, 53,000+ direct automotive jobs, and designation as the nation's No. 1 auto-exporting state in 2023. Leadership includes Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair, Deputy Secretary Angela Till, and Deputy Secretary/Director of AIDT Ed Castile.

Name

Alabama Department of Commerce

Legal name

Alabama Department of Commerce

Website

https://madeinalabama.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alabama Department of Commerce is the State of Alabama's primary economic and workforce development agency, recruiting domestic and foreign businesses via tax incentives, site-selection services, and AIDT workforce training, supported by international offices in Japan, South Korea, and Germany and a network of 67-county local partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (926), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Labor & Employment Administration (Workforce Regulation & Programs) (BPAIAAAM), Administrative, Clerical & Office Support Direct Hire (BPACAFAF), Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Workforce development training
• Business recruitment
• Tax incentive administration
• Foreign direct investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grant Administration: The department administers federal grant programs including $203.4 million in rural health and workforce grants distributed through ADECA, and over $200 million in U.S. Department of Treasury grant funds for broadband deployment.
2. Economic Development Incentives: Provides tax incentives, job creation tax credits, workforce development services, apprenticeship tax credits, and port credits to attract business investment to the state.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Alabama Department of Commerce is the state's lead economic and workforce development agency. It recruits businesses to locate or expand in Alabama, administers tax incentive and grant programs, delivers no-cost workforce training through AIDT, operates international business development offices in Japan, South Korea, and Germany to attract foreign direct investment, and supports existing Alabama businesses through export promotion and small business advocacy.

Product overview

The Alabama Department of Commerce operates as the state's primary economic development agency, managing the Made in Alabama portal (madeinalabama.com) as a marketing and information platform to attract businesses and investors to the state. The organization does not offer commercial products in the traditional sense; instead, it provides government services including business recruitment, workforce development, sector-specific initiatives (aerospace, automotive, bioscience, technology), export assistance, and rural development programs. The department facilitates economic growth through initiatives such as SEEDS grants, the Alabama Fiber Network broadband infrastructure, and the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) for EV innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Recruitment and Site Selection Core service assisting companies in evaluating Alabama for new or expanded operations, including site identification, incentive coordination, and project management support. Targeted at domestic and international companies in automotive, aerospace, bioscience, advanced manufacturing, and technology.
• AIDT Workforce Development Training Customized no-cost workforce training delivered through AIDT training centers across Alabama, providing pre-employment and skill-upgrade training to new and expanding companies.
• International Business Development Foreign direct investment promotion and trade support delivered through offices in Japan, South Korea, and Germany, targeting companies in those markets considering U.S. operations and supporting Alabama exporters.
• Job Creation Tax Credit State income tax credit awarded to qualifying companies that create new jobs in Alabama.
• Apprenticeship Tax Credit State tax credit incentivizing Alabama employers to establish and operate apprenticeship programs.
• Port Tax Credit State tax credit tied to port-related business activity, encouraging logistics and port-using industries to invest in Alabama.
• SEEDS Grants Grant funding program administered by the Alabama Department of Commerce to support small businesses, rural communities, and economic development projects across the state.
• Export Alabama Export promotion initiative that helps Alabama-based businesses identify and enter international markets, providing guidance and access to international trade resources.
• Be Linked Plan Statewide broadband expansion initiative aimed at extending high-speed internet access to Alabama communities to support economic development.
• AMP Center Advanced prototyping, electric vehicle testing, and battery R&D facility supporting automotive and advanced manufacturing companies operating in or considering Alabama.
• Innovate Alabama Statewide innovation and entrepreneurship initiative supporting technology-based startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs across Alabama.
• Alabama Fiber Network Statewide fiber-optic backbone infrastructure supporting broadband access for Alabama businesses and communities.
• Small Business Advocacy Advocacy and resource navigation service supporting Alabama small business owners in accessing state programs, grants, and support services.
• Rural Development Services Targeted economic development support for Alabama's rural counties and communities, helping them access state programs, grants, and economic development resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.6 billion in foreign investments (2025) and $19 billion+ since 2020
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Republic Airways Holdings / LIFT AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Advanced flight training program partnership at Tuskegee University's Moton Field, creating 35 aviation-related jobs with average annual salary of nearly $75,000. Senator Katie Britt supported with $6.7 million federal allocation.
• Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research and development hub for EV and mobility innovation created through partnership among The University of Alabama, Alabama Power and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. Represented at Battery Show Europe by consortium development manager Brad Whisenant.
• EDGE PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecticut-based advisory firm collaborating with Alabama Department of Commerce to conduct senior-led investor meetings at SelectUSA Investment Summit targeting automotive, aerospace, defense, technology, and bioscience sectors.
• TractuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory firm representing Alabama's economic development interests in Japan, managing the Tokyo-based business development office to promote investment opportunities.
• Samil PricewaterhouseCooperscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and advisory firm serving as Alabama's representative in South Korea, managing the Seoul-based business development office.
• Alabama Fiber NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization deploying middle-mile broadband infrastructure across all 67 Alabama counties, received over $200 million in U.S. Department of Treasury grant funds administered through ADECA and Alabama Digital Expansion Authority.
• Alabama Digital Expansion AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState authority administering federal broadband grant funds for the Be Linked plan, partnering with Alabama Fiber Network and electric cooperatives.
• Eight Electric CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric cooperatives and their subsidiaries collaborating with fiber lease partner Alabama Power Company to deliver middle-mile network targeting unserved and underserved rural Alabama areas.
• Alabama Power CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP Center) at University of Alabama and fiber lease partner for middle-mile broadband deployment. Part of Alabama's bioscience delegation to BIO International.
• Alabama Industrial Development and Training (AIDT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState's primary workforce development agency providing job training and employee recruitment incentives. Partner in EV Technology Training Center at Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur.
• BIO AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide bioscience trade association chaired by Dr. Karim Budhwani, collaborating with Alabama Department of Commerce on bioscience industry promotion and BIO International conference delegation.
• NIH-sponsored CureGN NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Institutes of Health-sponsored research network collaborating with Alabama-based Reliant Glycosciences on IgAN kidney disease study using the GalD Assay biomarker tool.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Department of Economic Development: State-level economic development agency with overlapping mandate to attract FDI, automotive manufacturing (Kia, Hyundai Metaplant), and EV/battery investment. Directly competes with Alabama for the same Southern auto OEM and supplier projects.
• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development: State economic development agency actively recruiting automotive (VW, GM, Nissan), EV, and FDI projects in direct competition with Alabama. Operates similar incentive framework, site-selection services, and international business development.
• South Carolina Department of Commerce: Southern state economic development agency with strong automotive (BMW, Volvo) and aerospace (Boeing) recruitment focus. Competes directly with Alabama for OEM site selection and Tier-1 supplier investment.
• Mississippi Development Authority: Neighboring Southern state's economic development agency pursuing the same automotive supplier, aerospace, and FDI projects as Alabama, frequently head-to-head on incentive packages and workforce training offerings.
• Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development: State economic development authority with comparable automotive (Toyota Georgetown), aerospace, and EV/battery recruitment mandate. Competes with Alabama for FDI and OEM expansion projects in the Southeast/Mid-South region.
• Louisiana Economic Development: State economic development agency with overlapping focus on industrial recruitment, foreign direct investment, and workforce development programs. Targets similar petrochemical, manufacturing, and emerging-energy sectors as Alabama.
• North Carolina Department of Commerce: State economic development division with parallel mandate around business recruitment, workforce training, and international trade. Competes for advanced manufacturing, biotech, and FDI projects in the broader Southeast.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership: Commonwealth economic development authority offering similar site selection, incentive negotiation, and FDI services. Competes with Alabama in aerospace/defense and advanced manufacturing recruitment, particularly in coastal/mid-Atlantic regions.
• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: State-level economic development agency with broader portfolio but overlapping function in business recruitment, workforce development, and international trade promotion. Competes for FDI and corporate relocation projects.

Broad incumbents

• Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office: Larger state economic development operation with substantially bigger budget and headcount, competing for the same automotive, aerospace, and FDI projects. While not a like-for-like match on scale, it represents the dominant Southern competitor for marquee capital investment projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MadeInAL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/madeinalabamaDOC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlabamaDepartmentofCommerce
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/made-in-alabama-alabama-department-of-commerce
• Instagraminstagram.com/alabamacommerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alabama Department of Commerce