Target Industries Benefit from Low Costs and Specialized Assistance in Dale County

Alabama is extensively involved in virtually every segment of the aerospace and aviation industry sector — and Dale County is a leader, home to 25 percent of South Alabama’s Aerospace Industry.

Fort Novosel - U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence is a major asset for our region, providing year-round helicopter pilot training to 1,400+ pilots from 27 countries and work for defense contractors and technicians. Fort Novosel — as the fifth largest employer in Alabama, and the largest employer south of Montgomery — produces a total economic impact of around $9 billion. 

Additionally, the Alabama Aviation College, part of Enterprise State Community College, is the only training facility in the southeastern United States with the primary mission of preparing technicians to work in the aviation industry. Courses in industrial maintenance, welding, and other technical aviation skills are offered, as well as dual enrollment for high school juniors and seniors. 

In addition to maintenance, the region is prime for aerospace and aviation supporting industries ranging from manufacturing to systems production. Aviation simulators are a significant industry in Dale County, with billions of dollars invested in equipment at Fort Novosel and in Daleville, Dothan, and Ozark by companies such as CATI Training Systems, Concord XXI USA, DynaLantic Corporation, and FlightSafety International. Both fixed wing and rotary training simulators are active in the aviation simulation industry of Dale County.

Sampling of Dale County Aerospace and Aviation Companies:

Manufacturers help drive Alabama’s economy, accounting for 16.83 percent of the total output in the state, which translated to $38.40 billion in 2019. There are an average of 266,000 manufacturing employees in Alabama, making up 13 percent of the workforce. 

Advanced manufacturing has remained one of Dale County’s top industries due in part to a recent influx of manufacturing jobs created by expansions and relocations. Products from flooring and farm equipment to skincare are made in Dale County. Companies benefit from our strategic location and extensive workforce training offerings.

Sampling of Dale County Manufacturers:

• Ecore
• Brittanie’s Thyme
• MAHA USA
• Brown Manufacturing

Due to an abundant skilled workforce, best-in-class cooperative training, and an enviable business-friendly economic climate, Alabama has grown to become a leading global center for automotive production and associated equipment manufacturing. Dale County is well positioned for distribution since approximately 50 percent of the U.S. population is within a 24-hour shipping distance.

Sampling of Dale County Automotive Equipment Manufacturers:

• Motobilt
• Michelin North America, Inc.

Dale County is equipped to quickly ship your products anywhere in the world at a competitive price. Centrally located in the heart of the U.S.'s fastest growing economy, our region’s superior air, rail, port, and highway access reduce the cost and time of shipping products. Some 50 percent of the U.S. population is within a 24-hour shipping distance. No inventory tax and the benefits of a Free Trade Zone add to the cost benefits.

Sampling of Dale County Distributors:

• Covan World-Wide Moving Company

In Dale County, the food processing sector is a natural complement to our agriculture industry. Alabama has over 38,000 farms on 8.3 million acres, ranking second among the states in freshwater fish production, third in poultry production, third in peanut production, and in the top 10 for cotton production. Agricultural cash receipts totaled an estimated $4.7 billion in 2020, with the top commodities being broilers and chicken eggs.

In the Dale County Wiregrass Region, peanuts and poultry are among our most significant agricultural products. Pilgrim’s Pride and Wayne Farms are two of the largest employers in the agriculture sector, and more than half of the peanuts in the U.S. are grown within a hundred miles. For distribution, Dale County is only a day’s drive from half of the U.S. population.

Sampling of Dale County Food Processors and Manufacturers:

• Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts
• Pilgrim’s Pride
• Wayne Farms

Metal manufactured goods exports from Alabama were valued at over $1.3 billion in 2021. In Dale County, this high-tech sector is thriving. Services and products include 3D CAD design, laser cutting, plate forming on CNC-controlled press brakes, tube bending, building structures, welding, stainless steel work, sheet metal forming, and more. Dale County’s location, only a day’s drive from half of the U.S. population, is advantageous for distribution.

Sampling of Dale County Metal Fabricators:

• Quality Fab
• Anvil
• E & H Steel

Dale County's rich forestry heritage and abundant timber resources position it as a prime location for the forestry and wood products industry. With approximately 69.9% of the county's land area covered in timberland, the region offers ample raw materials for various wood-based enterprises. The forestry sector significantly contributes to the local economy, generating substantial employment and revenue. As part of the Grow Southeast Alabama alliance, Dale County collaborates with neighboring counties to promote and advance industrial growth in forestry and related sectors. Companies in this industry benefit from a skilled workforce, strategic location, and supportive infrastructure, making Dale County an ideal destination for growth and innovation in forestry and wood products.

Sampling of Forestry and Wood Product Manufacturers:

• Trailer World Alabama
• Southern Installations Cabinet Shop