Major business leaders say Alabama’s workforce, partnerships and business environment continue to attract major investments across the state.
Huntsville Stands Out to Eli Lilly
According to online reports, Eli Lilly considered hundreds of potential locations before selecting four states for new pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, including Alabama.
The company plans to invest more than $6 billion in a Huntsville facility. Dan Wahby, Eli Lilly’s director of state government affairs, said cooperation between government agencies, education leaders and economic development groups helped put Huntsville on the company’s radar.
Huntsville also offered another major advantage: available land. The planned project will use about 260 acres, while local and state officials worked together on infrastructure, workforce development and other requirements.
Wahby said that collaboration played a major role in the company’s decision to locate in the Rocket City.
Workforce and Partnerships Drive Growth
Executives from Mercedes-Benz, Airbus, Marzetti and Eli Lilly discussed Alabama’s business environment during a panel at the Business Council of Alabama’s 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference.
Although the companies arrived in Alabama at different times, the executives pointed to several common factors. Competitive incentives, strong logistics and cooperation between businesses and government all played a role.
Airbus Senior Vice President Daryl Taylor said Alabama brought together the infrastructure, workforce and partnerships the company needed. He also emphasized the importance of having government and business leaders work together.
Marzetti Vice President Clarence Mingo praised the state’s business relationships. He said those partnerships help companies grow while also helping employees establish roots in their communities.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz President and CEO Federico Kochlowski highlighted the importance of showing younger workers that manufacturing offers stable, long-term careers.
Alabama Looks to Build on Its Momentum
The executives also identified areas where Alabama can improve. Childcare, healthcare and education could help the state attract and retain more workers.
Workforce development remains especially important as manufacturers adopt new technology. Taylor said Airbus will need continued investment in STEM education, two-year colleges and technical training.
The state has already expanded career and technical education programs. These efforts can help students develop skills that local manufacturers need.
At the same time, companies continue to focus on emerging technologies. Taylor said strengthening STEM education and preparing workers for artificial intelligence will become increasingly important.
Despite those challenges, business leaders said Alabama has built a stronger national reputation.
Helena Duncan, president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, pointed to the state’s economic growth as evidence of that momentum. She encouraged companies with new ideas, factories and investment plans to consider Alabama.
For Huntsville, that message could carry even more weight as major projects reshape the local economy. Eli Lilly’s planned pharmaceutical facility adds another major name to the region’s growing business and manufacturing landscape.
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