Entries Tagged 'Business' ↓

Alabama’s Gulf Coast experienced a record-breaking spring for retail sales this year as it continues recovering from hurricane damage in 2005 – and the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau expects strong sales to continue into summer.

This spring, the taxable retail sales in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area rose more than 33 percent, compared to spring 2004, the year before Hurricanes Rita and Katrina damaged Alabama’s coast and prompted years of storm recovery and unprecedented new construction, the bureau said.

The nearby Foley area experienced a more than 13 percent increase in taxable retail sales and a more than 31 percent increase in taxable lodging rentals

Alabama Gulf Coast reports record 33% rise in retail sales

Record spending reported at beach

Here’s an update on the Bama Bayou marine park.

Bama Bayou marine park taking shape

Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and one of the nation’s largest warehouse clubs, will open a new facility in Daphne. Grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremonies will begin at 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

Sam’s Club opens Thursday

The crews of the Mobile, Ala.-based White-Spunner Construction Co. turned the finished project over to the retail giant, finishing a $20 million enterprise that began in August 2006.

Wal-Mart is paying for a southbound, right-turn lane on Alabama l8l at County Route 44; a northbound left-turn lane and a southbound left-turn lane at County Route 32 and l8l.

White-Spunner Wraps Up Fairhope Wal-Mart Project

Baldwin County’s unemployment rate for May was 2.2 percent, only .1% higher than the lowest rate, which was in Shelby County. The state rate rose to 3.5 percent.

State unemployment rate rises to 3.5 percent in May

In tourist-centered south Baldwin County, the minimum wage increase will have little effect, said Herb Malone, president and chief executive officer of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Our businesses have been paying quite a bit over minimum wage for a number of years based on supply and demand,” Malone said, adding that one Gulf Shores fast food restaurant was recently offering $9.50 an hour.

Observers: Little change expected from minimum wage increase

Baldwin County was fourth with 26 companies announcing 1,502 jobs.

New jobs in state

The city is looking to expand its borders as far west as Alabama 225 by taking in the Pinnacle Ridge subdivision at the request of developers.

City seeks to expand its borders

• American Carpets – Foley
• United Rentals (equipment rentals) – Foley
• Pizza Hut – Orange Beach
• Century 21 Professional Services – Montrose
• LongHorn Steakhouse – Gulf Shores

Alabama Carpets store set for Foley

The P-R has an article about new retails activity in Baldwin Co. The following stores have opened recently or will soon:

• At The Wharf in Orange Beach:
  • a Pensacola-based dinner theater
  • Gulf Coast Hatteras
  • Surfer Girl, a clothing store
  • Twisted Whisker, a pet boutique
  • Coastal Couture, featuring designer clothes
  • The Big Easy Daiquiri Factory
  • Mientje’s 501 Club will be opened by the former owners of Tipitina’s in New Orleans
  • Live Bait restaurant
  • Bushido’s Japanese Steak House with a sushi bar
• At the Foley Tanger Outlet:
  • Rent-A-Center
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Payless Shoe Source
  • Dollar Tree
  • Cato
• Eastern Shore Center
  • Jack’s Music
  • La Te Due Maternity & Baby Boutique
• Colonial Pinnacle Alabama 59 in Gulf Shores
  • Bed, Bath & Beyond
  • Bama Fever
  • Mattress Gallery
  • Claire’s Boutique
  • Kay Jewelers
  • Mikato Japan
  • Planet Smoothie
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Books-A-Million

Spring Forward

A judge’s order to release documents involving the Spanish Fort Bass Pro shop development shows that city incentives were key to landing the development.

Documents: Incentives key for Bass Pro

The Birmingham-based bookseller announced plans to open two additional locations in Alabama, one in Fultondale and the other at Colonial Pinnacle Craft Farms in Gulf Shores.

Books-A-Million to add stores in Fultondale, Gulf Shores

The City Council on Monday night agreed to a third contract in two years with the developers of a massive retail center, clearing the way for construction to restart in about a month.
Stores that are coming to the center:

• Bass Pro
• La-Z-Boy
• JC Penney
• Circuit City
• Kohls
• Chevy dealer
• hotel
• apartments

Spanish Fort OKs further deal with Bass Pro developer

The town will start collecting money in May. Total sales tax will now be 8% since the state collects 4% and the county gets 2%.

Town’s first sales tax postponed

Each year Site Selection ranks states and cities according to the number of corporate projects they have landed in the most recent year.

Daphne-Fairhope was ranked No. 4 with 19 projects.

Alabama cities rank high for industrial projects