News
Find all our Ozark-Dale County news posts below. Stories are listed with most recent posts first.
News Articles
The United States is facing a shortage of aviation mechanics, the levels of which could become critical in the next decade. On Enterprise State Community College’s Ozark Campus, also known as the Alabama Aviation College, students are training in airframe, powerplant, and avionics maintenance.“It’s not unusual for a brand-new airframe technician...
The Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation (ODEDC) recently celebrated 15 years of progress during its annual Evening of Appreciation dinner. This event brings together ODEDC investors, board members, elected officials, community leaders, public partners, and news media who all play an essential role in growing the county.Holle Smith, president of...
City and county officials began converging on Vivian B. Adams School at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 25, joining key leaders of local organizations, the Carroll High School Jazz Band, cheerleaders from four of Dale County’s five high schools, area queens, United Way committee members, and VBAS students and staff...
Carroll High School, part of Ozark City Schools (OCS), will soon have a mobile welding unit that contributes to its career and technical education (CTE) programs. The new unit is made possible by a $350,000 grant as part of U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s approved congressional spending for economic development and...
Workforce readiness has become a defining factor in regional competitiveness and corporate success. Economic development professionals and corporate executives are facing unprecedented challenges, whether it’s demographic shifts, evolving immigration policies, or the rapid pace of technological innovation, all of which are reshaping the very foundation of the American workforce.Earlier this...
Wallace Community College (WCC) is one of the leading post-secondary schools supporting Dale County. It offers diverse programming to support different industries and students. Companies looking for training and individuals ready to start their careers can find what they need at WCC.“We cover everything from two-day trainings up to an...
Governor Kay Ivey recently allocated $25.9 million to support economic development projects in 15 communities as part of the Growing Alabama program. Ozark-Dale County will receive funding for two projects to create shovel-ready sites near the airport and in the Ozark Industrial Park.“These investments are paving the way for high-quality...
Rural America is having a moment. Policymakers and business leaders increasingly see the heartland as indispensable to the nation’s future health and prosperity.What are the unique strengths of rural communities? What are their most pressing needs? And how can rural communities across the U.S. position themselves as viable destinations for...
Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law a major expansion of Alabama’s entertainment tax incentive program, aimed at accelerating growth across the state’s film, television, and now music sectors.Senate Bill 177 modernizes the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act of 2009 by extending support to music productions, setting realistic thresholds and establishing...
Governor Kay Ivey announced today that more than $25.9 million in Growing Alabama funding has been allocated to support economic development projects across 15 communities in Alabama, reinforcing the state’s commitment to long-term job creation and site readiness.The announcement comes after Governor Ivey addressed professionals of the Economic Development Association...
The 2025 class of Ozark 101 recently celebrated graduation after completing an engaging eight-week program designed to educate residents on how their city government functions. Each week, for three hours, the participants explored different city departments, gaining firsthand insights into how municipal operations serve the community.“Participants range from high school...
In recognition of National “Made in the USA” Day, Governor Kay Ivey today signed a formal proclamation celebrating Alabama’s manufacturing community and its critical role in driving economic growth across the state.“On this ‘Made in the USA’ Day, we proudly salute the hardworking Alabamians who make our state a true...
What began with a full schedule of 21 pre-arranged meetings quickly evolved into a whirlwind of opportunity for the Alabama Department of Commerce team at last week’s 2025 Paris Air Show, where the state team engaged with executives from more than 36 aerospace companies — surpassing expectations and setting the...
2025 Workforce Guide
May 19 2025Workforce has been cited in Site Selection Magazine’s annual survey of corporate consultants as a top factor in site selection decisions for several years in a row. The 2025 Workforce Guide by Conway Data Inc. is a special report that offers insight and analysis into best workforce development practices and...
Culture vs. BrandCulture refers to the shared values, beliefs, behaviors, practices, traditions, and norms that define a group of people or an organization. It encompasses how people interact, make decisions, and approach work or life. In an organizational context, culture is often described as the "way we do things around...
