Survey: Confidence of Huntsville business community at lowest in two years
Huntsville Times – Sept. 30
The confidence of the local business community is at its lowest level in more than two years and is likely linked to the political contentiousness in Washington, according to a survey of Huntsville business executives for the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama. For the third straight quarter, the Huntsville Business Confidence Index has dropped…”It really does have to do with Huntsville’s close ties with the federal government,” said Carolyn Trent, socioeconomic analyst with the center. “Continued uncertainty about federal spending and struggling U.S. and global markets have affected business sentiment in the Huntsville area more than the rest of the state. “Close connections between the local economy and the federal government will require improvement on this front to reduce uncertainty, restore job growth and encourage business investment.”…
Alabama business confidence measure flashes recession warning
Mobile Press-Register – Sept. 30
…Still, the decline in the University of Alabama’s quarterly business confidence survey is troubling, considering it correctly signaled the coming of recession at the start of 2008. “We’re hoping this time it’s not a good predictor,” said Ahmad Ijaz, an economist with UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research, which took the survey of 288 business leaders. The overall confidence index for 2010’s fourth quarter tumbled to 45.5 statewide, falling below the midpoint of 50 that divides predictions of expansion and contraction. That’s down from 51.4 in the third quarter and a post-recession high of 55.8 in the second quarter…Ijaz said that a weak job picture continues to weigh on the economy. But asked if the economy was headed for recession, he said, “Probably not,” sticking to a prediction of weak growth. “This time around, if you look at the underlying indicators, they’re a lot better than they were in 2007.” Ijaz forecasts the state’s overall economy will grow 1.6 percent this year compared to 2 percent last year. He did say that historically, chances of a recession become elevated when national growth slows below 2 percent. He said that there is some chance that the economy could back into a shallow recession, what he called “slowing down into a slowdown.”
Critics of tough Alabama immigration law appeal
Reuters – Sept. 30
A coalition of civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups filed an appeal on Thursday of a federal judge’s ruling that let stand much of Alabama’s tough new immigration law. …University of Alabama constitutional law professor Bryan Fair said he thinks opponents have a shot at getting some of the more controversial provisions of the law overturned by a higher court, specifically those involving schools and police. “I think those provisions invite racial profiling, and I think racial profiling violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment,” Fair told Reuters…
Greeks raise $10K for tornado relief
Independence Alligator (University of Florida Student Newspaper) – Sept. 30
UF will show that compassion trumps rivalry at the University of Alabama football game Saturday when the UF Greek community presents a $10,000 check for tornado relief in Tuscaloosa, Ala. After Tuscaloosa was devastated by a series of tornadoes in April, UF’s four Greek councils decided to start a fundraising effort titled “Florida Greeks for ‘Bama Relief.” “When we get a call that Alabama needs help, we immediately don’t think about the football rivalry,” said IFC President Rajiv Asnani, 23. “We think, ‘These guys are our peers; let’s reach out and help.'”…
Gators helping those at UA affected by April tornadoes
Gainesville (Fla.) – Sept. 30
…Friday marks the final day to help members of Eta Sigma Gamma, a health education honorary, sell T-shirts to raise money for students, faculty and staff of the University of Alabama who have been impacted by the series of tornadoes that hit Alabama on April 27. The front of the T-shirt reads “Gators helping the Tide” and the back features an elephant and a gator holding hands with the words “Champions helping Champions” below. During halftime of Saturday’s Florida-Alabama game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, members in charge of the fundraiser will present the rival school with a check for an estimated $5,000…The idea for the “Champions Helping Champions” campaign came from UF professor and UA alumna Dr. Beth Chaney…
Potential suppliers learn more about GE Aviation
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 30
…Richard Howell, program manager for the Alabama Procurement Technical Assistance Center, which has an office at Bidgood Hall at the University of Alabama, said he came to the conference to let businesses know that the state-financed center provides free assistance in getting the required government approvals and certifications often needed to be a supplier in the aerospace industry.