The future of live entertainment in Mobile rose to new heights today as city leaders and project partners gathered to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of Mobile Arena. A March 3 “topping out” ceremony marked the placement of the final steel beam and the completion of the 10,000-seat arena’s structural framework. Scheduled to open in early 2027, Mobile Arena will be a state-of-the-art venue providing a new home for live sports, major concerts and touring events on the Gulf Coast. The $300 million facility will serve as the foundation for continued investment and a new entertainment district on the 22-acre site of the former Mobile Civic Center.

The Mobile Area Chamber Foundation has named Liz Freeman, president of Long’s Human Resource Services, as chairman of its board of directors for 2026, positioning her to lead the organization’s work advancing economic and community development initiatives across the region. Three new board members have been appointed to the Foundation: Kim Garrett of 68 Ventures, Mike Jordan of the Alabama Power Foundation and Laura O’Connor of the Mobile Chamber.

In this episode of Mobile Matters, Mobile Chamber President & CEO Bradley Byrne celebrates the winners of the 2025 Eagle Awards, honoring minority-owned businesses that exemplify excellence, innovation and impact across our community.Mobile Matters is powered by the Mobile Chamber.

Episode Sponsor: Visit Mobile

The Mobile Chamber has named RS Moving & Warehousing as a Small Business of the Month. From one truck and a single crew to a growing operation serving customers across the Gulf Coast and beyond, RS Moving & Warehousing has spent the past 15 years building a reputation for dependable service and straightforward pricing.

New platform and logo reinforces Port’s role as a statewide economic driver and Alabama’s strategic position in the global supply chain. MOBILE, Ala. February 23, 2026 — The Alabama Read More >>>

Mobile, Ala. — In just 90 days, Mobile’s bus system has gone from canceling roughly 20% of scheduled routes to nearly zero missed runs — all Read More >>>

As part of Black History Month, the Mobile Chamber’s Growth Alliance Task Force (GATF) welcomed Jessica Fairley, manager of the Africatown Heritage House and representative of the History Museum of Mobile, for an in-depth update on Africatown’s history, ongoing preservation efforts and future developments.

Fairley’s presentation, “Africatown U.S.A.: The History, Community & Key Players,” provided members with a powerful look at the story of Africatown — the community founded by survivors of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to enter the United States.

Mobile, Ala. – Austal USA President Michelle Kruger has announced her plans to retire effective June 1, 2026.  Kruger was promoted to president in April Read More >>>

MONTGOMERY, AL — Manufacture Alabama announces the return of Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in Alabama, a statewide competition now entering its second year. Read More >>>

Early performance data from the Southern Rail Commission shows strong demand and customer satisfaction for Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service connecting the central Gulf Coast, underscoring continued interest in restored passenger rail along the corridor.