Made in Alabama: Sec. Canfield heads Alabama team in Tokyo for SEUS-Japan 45 summit

Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is leading an Alabama delegation at an international conference in Tokyo this week that seeks to enhance the robust economic and cultural ties between seven Southeastern states and Japan.

The 45th annual joint meeting of the Southeast U.S.-Japan and the Japan-Southeast associations, known as SEUS Japan, officially begins today and features a full agenda of speeches, high-level panel discussions and networking opportunities on Friday.

Secretary Canfield said the annual SEUS Japan gathering allows members of the Alabama delegation to reinforce bonds that have been established over decades and to explore pathways to future collaborations.

“The long-standing partnership between Japan and Alabama continues to spark economic growth, create opportunity, and foster deep friendships,” he said. “That’s why I am looking forward to seeing this relationship blossom for decades to come.”

Secretary Canfield, who will make remarks to the group on Friday, said Japan is one of Alabama’s most important global partners.

Today, an estimated 90 Japanese companies have established operations in Alabama, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The roster of Japanese companies includes global names such as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Daikin, Rheem and Dai-Ichi Life.

“The impact of Japanese investment in Alabama has been massive,” Secretary Canfield said. “Back in 1999, Honda announced plans to open an auto assembly plant in Alabama, and since that milestone, nearly $10 billion in Japanese investment has flowed into the state.”

‘CONTINUED SUCCESS’

The theme of the SEUS-Japan 45 joint meeting is “Continued Success through Partnership & Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”

Panel discussions on Friday will focus on the resiliency of the U.S.-Japanese economic partnership amid global turbulence and how to properly position workforces to support emerging technologies and new sustainability initiatives.

In addition, Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, will address attendees, as will two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato, the first Asian driver to win the celebrated race.

SEUS-Japan 45 also features a reception and gala dinner, as well as a networking event.

The Alabama delegation in Tokyo is composed of community leaders, company officials and economic development specialists from across the state. Ed Castile, director of AIDT and Alabama’s workforce development guru, and Christina Stimpson, Commerce’s international trade expert, also are on the trip.

“The SEUS-Japan summit is a valuable event for us,” said Don Smith, executive director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council, who is on the trip.

“It provides incredible data and networking opportunities as well as creating a base camp for us to visit the top leadership positions making decisions regarding our local Alabama companies.”

TIGHTENING BONDS

Stimpson, who serves as director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade, said the commercial ties with Japan have become an increasingly important economic driver for Alabama.

“The Japanese-Alabama relationship is stronger than ever. Not only do we have significant foreign direct investment from Japan, but for the first time ever Alabama exports to Japan last year reached over $1 billion,” Stimpson said.

“This is a 42% increase from 2021 and represents the largest percentage increase among our top trading partners.”

Besides Alabama, the states represented at SEUS-Japan are Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.

Many Alabamians are familiar with the word “Satsuma”, either as a reference to the City of Satsuma in Mobile County, or to its namesake, the Satsuma orange, which was grown in Alabama beginning in 1878 after Emperor Meiji of Japan presented a Satsuma tree as a gift. In fact, farming of Satsuma oranges in the Mobile area was a thriving business in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s until Satsuma trees were damaged by the combination of cold weather and a disease that affected fruit trees.

There is another type of Satsuma that originated long before Satsuma trees were introduced to Alabama. Around the year 1600 a type of clay pottery called “Satsuma” began production in the Satsuma Province in southern Kyushu, Japan. The original Satsuma pottery, which was plain and dark in color, was succeeded in the mid-1800’s by elaborately decorated Satsuma that was made in cities throughout Japan. It was made until around 1930, and during its 80 years of production was exported from Japan to countries around the world. Once the production of authentic Japanese Satsuma ended, because it had become so popular in export markets, other countries, including China, began making a lower quality version of Satsuma that continued until the 1960’s.

Earlier this year JASA was contacted by Mr. John Daane of Milton, Florida, who was searching for a Japanese organization that would be willing to own and care for the Satsuma pottery his parents had collected between the 1950’s and 2015 when they lived in The Netherlands, South Africa and New Zealand. On behalf of his family’s estate, it was Mr. Daane’s wish that a Japanese organization would care for and display his parents’ Satsuma, and with that commitment, JASA is now the proud owner of a 63-piece collection of authentic Satsuma, most of it now over 100 years old.

JASA first introduced the collection at a recent Board of Directors meeting, and it has since been displayed at other JASA events. The plan is for it to be on temporary display at JASA member companies, universities or other organizations. Anyone interested in hosting all or part of the collection should contact JASA President Mark Brown or Honorary Consul General Mark Jackson.

JASA is grateful to the Daane family for their donation, and we look forward to many years of JASA members and friends being able to see and appreciate the incredible beauty and quality of authentic Satsuma!

AL. com: Toyota donating $6.7 million to Huntsville schools

Toyota USA is donating up to $6.7 million to Huntsville City Schools with the goal of boosting the industrial workforce through STEM education programs as well as providing career support for young classroom teachers.

It’s part of a national educational Driving Possibilities program by Toyota in areas where its plants are located. The announcement Thursday took place at Jemison High School – just four miles south of Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s sprawling facility in north Huntsville where as many as 900,000 engines are produced annually.

“It’s a unique program in that we are not necessarily going wide with our funding and doing things district wide,” said Bekah Schmidt, a corporate communications analyst for Toyota. “We’re going very deep in a few schools and kind of getting to the root of how can we best serve the students and make an impact. And so we have been working on this project for over a year and working with Huntsville City Schools to identify some opportunities where we could have collective impact.”

Specifically, the funding will help support a new industrial tech program at the planned Career Tech Center to be built in north Huntsville on the same campus as a new central office for the school system off Memorial Parkway between Sparkman Drive and Max Luther Drive.

“Toyota understands the importance of training and preparing our students to fill high-tech, 21st Century jobs by the time they graduate,” Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said in a press release announcing the donation. “Alabama consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders in economic development and industrial recruitment, and thanks to generous corporate partners like Toyota, we have the tools necessary to maintain that top ranking for many years to come.”

Read the whole article here

A new restaurant has opened on 280– Ippin Ramen is celebrating its grand opening at 3000 Meadow Lake Drive. The new spot is now serving up all kinds of Chinese specialties, ramen and bubble tea.

Ippin Ramen is not exactly new in town. The restaurant, which was formerly called Golden City 2, has been completed renovated and rebranded to feature all new menu items and ambiance.

In a recent Facebook post by Friends of 280, the restaurant’s owners expressed their excitement about the new and improved location.

View full article on Bham Now!

Congratulations to Steve Ammons, JASA Board member!

Birmingham's 60 Most Influential Business Leaders

We are proud to share that our President & CEO, Steve Ammons, has been recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal in their prestigious Power 60 list for 2023. This impressive list includes over 40 of our valued investors, further affirming Birmingham Business Alliance’s influence in the business community. Congratulations to all the honorees! Read more about this recognition here.

by Birmingham Business Alliance

Job Posting: Japanese-Speaking Translator/Interpreter

Company: TS Tech Alabama, LLC.

Location: Boaz, Alabama, USA

Job description

Located in Boaz, Alabama and part of the TS Tech Americas group, a global supplier of automobile seats and interiors, with operations in 72 locations in 14 countries. TS Tech Alabama has a unique opportunity for a Japanese-speaking Interpreter to support Japanese team members including Plant President with day to day communication between local and Japanese team members and visitors. The selected candidate will work closely with Japanese team members.

Although no manufacturing experience is required, the selected candidate will be exposed to production processes, control systems, as well as many functional areas of the plant. This is not a remote position.

Essential Functions

• Speak, read, and written (including emails) in English (Business/Professional level) and Japanese (Native level).
• Translate Japanese and English online and written materials accurately to maintain tone, style,
• and original meaning.
• Interpret Japanese and English verbal meetings and document accurately.
• Work with HR Staff to coordinate travel arrangements for Japanese guests and their families.
• Work with the HR Group to provide meeting assistance; may include travel, lunches, etc.
• Support doctor visit, and other various procedures for Japanese staff.
• Other tasks as required by Management.

Competencies

• Must be able to accurately interpret verbal and written communications
• Be detail oriented
• Ability to analyze information and make sound judgements
• Confidentiality and work ethics
• Must be reliable in attendance and work successfully in a team environment.

Work Environment

• Open office area with constant activity and interaction with cross-functional departments.
• Minimal exposure to shop elements such as noise, dust, odors, fumes. The performance of this position normally requires exposure similar to general office work, with a few minimal exceptions.
• There are areas that require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety shoes and safety glasses (provided by TS Tech Alabama).

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full Time

Salary: $20 - $23.29 per hour

Email resume: Julie.Kirsch@tstech.com

Business Alabama: PowerSouth lights the way from Prattville to the Florida Panhandle

In the 1960s, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative’s electrical generation was regulated by two clocks: one mechanical, the other electric. The mechanical device displayed perfect time and served as the setpoint for the electric clock. If the electric clock ran fast, operators reduced power generation, slowing it down until its time matched the mechanical device. If the electric unit ran slow, operators increased power generation until both clocks matched.

Humans watched both clocks, making adjustments accordingly. Today the clocks are mostly for show. The electric grid is managed primarily by computers that monitor and make corrections on a continuous basis.

“We still have those clocks in a control room,” says Gary Smith, PowerSouth’s president and CEO. “We keep them for demonstrations. They are part of our history.”

Headquartered in Andalusia, the company was formed in 1941. Its mission then is the same as now — to generate and provide reliable and affordable electricity to its members.

Today, the company’s 500-plus employees accomplish its goals via 2,100 miles of high-voltage transmission lines running through South Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Andalusia’s electricity powerhouse distributes energy to cooperative and municipal members who serve end-users in 39 Alabama and 10 Florida counties.

- Sponsor -

But the company started with humble beginnings.

“In the early days, electrification was urban,” adds Smith, who joined PowerSouth in 1989. “In the 1940s, Andalusia, Troy, Evergreen, Opp and other towns had some semblance of electricity, but not much. Power was often produced by in-town generators that ran power to small downtown grids.”

Smith also notes that in the 1920s the Horseshoe Lumber Company built two dams on the Conecuh River. “It is a small insignificant river, but it was big enough to run two hydro projects to generate power in our area. After the lumber company cut down most of the trees, it sold power to small nearby municipalities.”

He continues, “Those municipalities became the nexus for the Alabama Electric Cooperative in 1941.”

Those two dams built by the lumber company, about five miles north of Andalusia, became the catalyst for PowerSouth.

Back then, the duo of dams produced about 9 megawatts of power. Today the company’s new natural gas combined cycle power plant alone produces 693 megawatts.

PowerSouth has grown into an electric cooperative serving the wholesale power needs of 20 distribution members, including 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and Northwest Florida.

“We are a wholesaler, not a retailer,” notes the company president. “We sell our product to our members who in turn, sell it to their members and customers. We are a true cooperative. We do not have shareholders, like investor-owned utilities. We are owned by the same people/cooperatives we serve.”

The entities served in Alabama include: Baldwin EMC in Summerdale, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative in Prattville, Clarke-Washington EMC in Jackson, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative in Talladega, Dixie Electric Cooperative in Montgomery, Pea River Electric Cooperative in Ozark, Pioneer Electric Cooperative in Greenville, South Alabama Electric Cooperative in Troy, Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in Brewton, Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative in Tallapoosa and Wiregrass Electric Cooperative in Hartford.

Other Alabama distribution members include Utilities Board of the City of Andalusia, City of Brundidge, Water Works & Electric Board of the City of Elba, and Utilities Board of the City of Opp.

Florida members are CHELCO in DeFuniak Springs, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in Wewahitchka, Escambia River Electric Cooperative in Jay and West Florida Electric Cooperative in Graceville.

PowerSouth COO Damon Morgan (left), Gary Smith and other employees at Lowman Coal Plant, which is being converted to the natural gas-fired Lowman Energy Center.

Meeting the power needs of a diverse cooperative group has its challenges. Many of these trials stem from nature, government regulations and, most importantly, fuel costs.

“When a hurricane threatens, we deploy our line crews to prepare to restore the system,” says Smith. “Linemen are stationed in safe strategic locations that we believe can reach damaged areas in the quickest time.” But he adds, “Hurricanes are of course, always unpredictable, and when the storm strikes, I like to quote Mike Tyson: ‘Everybody has a plan until you get hit in the mouth.’”

Smith recalls, “The worse storm I have seen was Hurricane Michael (October 2018). We lost 264 high voltage transmission structures. Our areas around Panama City, Florida, and south were completely destroyed.”

In addition to natural disasters, there are the man-made hurricanes of government regulations. “It is a challenge, building a plant and the government comes in saying, ‘You need to shut this down in 13 years for environmental reasons.’ There is no way we can pay off the investment in that plant. If the plant is taken out of operation our members are left with a stranded investment.”

Federal regulations are becoming stringent for anything fueled by coal or fossil fuels — from power plants to cars to natural gas stoves. “The only coal generation we have now is our 8% interest in Alabama Power Co.’s Miller Units, near Birmingham,” says Smith. “I hope that plant site is not phased out. It is a very efficient unit. The costs are very good. A lot of investment has been made in environmental controls.”

Smith notes, “At one time we were completely a coal utility. Now we are almost completely a natural gas utility.” With change comes challenges.

PowerSouth emphasizes that operations are much more automated now than they were 20 years ago. Systems are more computerized and less labor-intensive. “Not too long ago, when the power failed, we sent a team out to patrol the line until they found the problem,” says Smith. “Today when we have an outage, the electronic systems identify the location of the outage.”

But he adds, “What really keeps you awake at night is worrying about fuel costs. Last winter natural gas was about $8 to $10 per million BTUs. Today (May 15, 2023) it is just over $2.35 per million BTUS. Last week it was $2.05.

“With so much variation day by day, trying to balance and manage natural gas costs is troublesome. It makes our costs to members difficult to predict,” Smith says.

As for the future, PowerSouth is faced with the challenge of building and operating a new electrical generation plant while complying with environmental rules. Some question Power South’s operations.

“Yes, we run coal plants and we burn fossil fuels,” Smith adds. “But we are trying to save the world in a different way. We are saving the world with affordable and reliable electricity for people who are economically challenged. If we can provide them a better and a more affordable way of life, we have done our job.”

This article appears in the July 2023 issue of Business Alabama.

The University of Alabama envisions being known as the university of choice for the best and brightest students who seek exceptional educational opportunities to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the state, the nation and the world. UA provides a premier undergraduate and graduate education that offers a global perspective and is characterized by outstanding teaching, high-quality scholarship and distinctive curricular and co-curricular programs.

The Capstone International Center (CIC), led by the Associate Provost for International Education and Global Outreach, coordinates programs and opportunities on and off campus that have an international focus. Dr. Teresa E. Wise currently directs the CIC and currently sits on the 2023 JASA Executive Committee. The CIC also offers advising and support for prestigious international scholarships such as the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and Boren Awards to name a few. The CIC fosters partnerships with various universities worldwide and participates in student exchange programs at 29 different universities in 14 countries including Japan. These campuses include Hiroshima University, Kansai Gaidai University, Meiji University, Ritsumeikan University and Chiba University which has been a partner for over 25 years.

Dr. Wise and fellow CIC staff, Sonya Harwood-Johnson and Ruzanna Yolyan, pose for a photo with international students and fellow volunteers on United Way’s Day of Action. The CIC provides opportunities for international students and scholars to interact with the community in a positive light.

Many international students at UA also participate in the accreditedIntensive English Program coordinated by CIC’s English Language Institute (ELI). The institute provides top quality instruction to non-native speakers of English while providing students with orientation to U.S. culture. ELI enrolls approximately 75 students per session from 16 different countries mostly from Japan, China, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Some students participate in customized group programs such as Chiba University’s English + Nursing Program where students attend English language sessions with a focus on medical terminology and observe UA nursing classes, attend clinical immersion and tour local medical facilities. Serving as a “Gateway to UA”, the specialized Intensive English Program provides an opportunity for international students to matriculate into UA degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate degree levels. The ELI plays a major role in international student recruitment at UA.

In the Fall of 2022, the CIC’s International Student & Scholar Services served 1,118 active, enrolled international students, including 246 new international students from 88 countries, territories and regions. Of the 246 new international students, there were 188 first-time and internal transfer graduate students, 50 first-time freshmen, and eight first-time undergraduate transfer students. The university is also currently sponsoring 175 recent graduates who are working on Optional Practical Training (OPT). UA also employs 277 non-immigrant scholars, faculty and staff representing 44 countries and territories.

While UA welcomed many international students last year, the CIC’s Education Abroad (EA) program sent 1,115 students to more than 55 countries to participate in over 235 unique programs internationally in 2022. After a pause from in-person programs worldwide, the EA office saw a heightened demand for studying abroad as the world emerged from the pandemic. When international borders opened once more, 40% of the students who participated in an EA program had never been abroad before and 36 students travelled on a Gilman Scholarship Award.

The CIC provides many opportunities for cultural exchange on and off campus through the Global and Cultural Perspectives Minor, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), and community outreach. In 2018, UA received an American Council on Education grant to initiate COIL activities with a partner institution in Japan, Chiba University, with support from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. This partnership allows the Chiba nursing students to collaborate online with UA students prior to their arrival for the English + Nursing Program.

Kansai Gaidai and UA students excited to eat Japanese curry and get to know one another at the Japanese themed Multicultural Coffee Hour last spring.

In 1987, the CIC held Tuscaloosa’s first Annual Sakura Festival in collaboration with Tuscaloosa’s Sister Cities International and has continued the tradition each spring to engage the local community with Japanese culture. This year, Consul General Mio Maeda gave a speech to the community and students from UA and Kansai Gaidai University held demonstrations and matsuri games for the all ages. The CIC supports international groups and events such as the weekly Multi-Cultural Coffee Hour that invites all international and domestic students, scholars, faculty and staff to enjoy a culturally themed snack over great conversation with new and old friends from around the world. In an effort to internationalize the campus and community, the CIC coordinates these programs and opportunities with a worldwide focus.

Consul General Maeda speaks to everyone at the beginning of the 37th Annual Sakura Festival.

Kansai Gaidai students demonstrate the Morning Taiso Stretch routine at the 37th Annual Sakura Festival.

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing has awarded its second round of grant funding totaling $150,000 to 12 nonprofits. Grantees also took a tour of the Huntsville manufacturing facility.

“MTM is grateful to the organizations that support our community, and our MTM Grant Fund is one way that we can show that commitment to North Alabama,” said Mark Brazeal, vice president of administration at MTM.

The 2023 MTM Grant Fund received more than 80 applications. Of those, the following 12 nonprofits received funding this round: Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Family Services Center, NCAC, Heals Inc., KTECH/Kids to Love, ELM Foundation, Girls Inc., Kid One Transport, The Care Center, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Still Serving Veterans and Cap & Gown Project.

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville hosts MTM’s fund on its platform and is integral in facilitating MTM’s corporate grantmaking.

MTM will launch a third round of funding later this year. Interested applicants can visit the Community Foundation’s website or follow MTM on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for the announcement of the third round.

Read the article by Business Alabama

2023-2024 Japanese Language Grants by The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA)

Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Events for Learners

Japanese Language Learners Event Grant

(Examples: Speech Contest, Quiz Contest, Japan-themed Festival for Learners, etc.)

Deadlines: September 1, 2023

More info

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Grant for Nationwide/Statewide/Region-wide Projects for Teachers

Japanese-Language Education Project Grant

(Examples: Conferences/Seminars/Workshops for Teachers, Teaching Material Development, Research Projects, etc.)

Deadline: 2 months before the project start date

More info

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Grants for Individual Japanese Language Programs

Japanese Teaching Material Purchase Grant

Deadlines: September 15, 2023

More info

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Advocacy Support Letter

If your Japanese language program is in danger of being cut due to COVID-19, we will send a support letter to stakeholders (Superintendent, Principal, Dean, etc.).

Please contact JFLA for details.