Business Alabama - May 2011

Who’s on First in Hard Times?

The recession has been a tricky changeup for Alabama’s minor league baseball franchises. But a day at the ballpark is still a winner in the price-driven family entertainment game.

By Cary Estes

Back in the Game with a Splash

Former chief of Time Inc. Don Logan has set aside retirement leisure for a more active plan—taking over, from ESPN, the Alabama-born, outdoor/publishing legend BASS and—just maybe—luring it back to Alabama from the swamps of Disney.

By Cary Estes

Advocate for Alabama Cities

Born in the Great Depression, the Alabama League of Municipalities continues to offer support for Alabama cities as they strive to overcome the challenges of the Great Recession.

By William H. Stevenson III

Space Center’s New Captain’s New Tack

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s new commander has a new business plan, based on sending more and more of the nation’s children (and corporate leaders) into Space Camp.

Interview by Chris McFadyen

Resort Evolution

The real estate development history of Alabama’s barrier island begins in Babbitt boosterism and extends—through natural and man-made disaster—into enlightened ecotourism and preservation zoning.

By Kelli M. Dugan

Transforming Big Industry Incentives for Small Biz

New incentives allow Alabama Power Co. to give small and medium-sized businesses a break on their power bills.

By Chris McFadyen

Coming Soon to an Economy Near You

Mannington Mills Inc., a major U.S. flooring manufacturer that would like to go viral with some good noise—about a U.S. firm that is committed to making quality products in the U.S. with U.S. workers.

By Chris McFadyen

Huntsville Legend Skips City Tax on a Technicality

The Alabama Supreme Court, in April, gave Huntsville missile defense contractor Colsa Corp. a pass on $932,934 in city of Huntsville use taxes.

By Chris McFadyen

Big Retailers Loom Large As Tax Avoiders

In the wake of nationwide budget cuts, a national movement decrying corporate tax avoiders has arisen, with GE as their poster child.

By Chris McFadyen

Luring Conventions to the Magic City

A new Westin hotel will anchor an entertainment complex that Birmingham hopes will put it on the map for large conventions.

By Cara D. Clark

Alabama’s Favorite Mayors

Elections being most fundamentally a test of popularity, meet nine mayors who are at the top of the list of Alabama’s favorite city leaders.

By Kelli M. Dugan

Alabama's Best - And First Cut

First and deepest cuts in the state budget went to what are clearly some of the state’s best resources—the natural kind. As an exercise in remembering who we are, take a look again at Alabama’s most popular 10 parks and natural destinations.

By Nancy Mann Jackson

	Who’s on First in Hard Times? The recession has been a tricky changeup for Alabama’s minor league baseball franchises. But a day at the ballpark is still a winner in the price-driven family entertainment game. By Cary Estes
	Back in the Game with a Splash Former chief of Time Inc. Don Logan has set aside retirement leisure for a more active plan—taking over, from ESPN, the Alabama-born, outdoor/publishing legend BASS and—just maybe—luring it back to Alabama from the swamps of Disney. By Cary Estes
	Advocate for Alabama Cities Born in the Great Depression, the Alabama League of Municipalities continues to offer support for Alabama cities as they strive to overcome the challenges of the Great Recession. By William H. Stevenson III
	Space Center’s New Captain’s New Tack The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s new commander has a new business plan, based on sending more and more of the nation’s children (and corporate leaders) into Space Camp. Interview by Chris McFadyen
	Resort Evolution The real estate development history of Alabama’s barrier island begins in Babbitt boosterism and extends—through natural and man-made disaster—into enlightened ecotourism and preservation zoning. By Kelli M. Dugan
	Transforming Big Industry Incentives for Small Biz New incentives allow Alabama Power Co. to give small and medium-sized businesses a break on their power bills. By Chris McFadyen
	Coming Soon to an Economy Near You Mannington Mills Inc., a major U.S. flooring manufacturer that would like to go viral with some good noise—about a U.S. firm that is committed to making quality products in the U.S. with U.S. workers. By Chris McFadyen
	Huntsville Legend Skips City Tax on a Technicality The Alabama Supreme Court, in April, gave Huntsville missile defense contractor Colsa Corp. a pass on $932,934 in city of Huntsville use taxes. By Chris McFadyen
	Big Retailers Loom Large As Tax Avoiders In the wake of nationwide budget cuts, a national movement decrying corporate tax avoiders has arisen, with GE as their poster child. By Chris McFadyen
	Luring Conventions to the Magic City A new Westin hotel will anchor an entertainment complex that Birmingham hopes will put it on the map for large conventions. By Cara D. Clark
	Alabama’s Favorite Mayors Elections being most fundamentally a test of popularity, meet nine mayors who are at the top of the list of Alabama’s favorite city leaders. By Kelli M. Dugan
	Alabama's Best - And First Cut First and deepest cuts in the state budget went to what are clearly some of the state’s best resources—the natural kind. As an exercise in remembering who we are, take a look again at Alabama’s most popular 10 parks and natural destinations. By Nancy Mann Jackson

May 2011

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