Alabama has been building its position as a regional center of auto industry investment for the past 25 years. Lately, thanks to major interest around Huntsville, the spotlight has shifted to the state's northern edge.
The 13-county area represented by the North Alabama Industrial Development Association is seeing automotive companies invest in plants to support the $2.3 billion Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA project in Huntsville, as well as to support ongoing expansions at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery.
Brooks Kracke, 59, CEO of the association, spoke with News Editor Lindsay Chappell about the surge in projects. Here are edited excerpts.