Dear Mobile Chamber Members,

From celebrating local business excellence to welcoming major investments in our region – it’s been another banner week, Mobile continues to demonstrate why we’re a premier destination for business growth and innovation.

Mobile Chamber Celebrates 28th Annual Eagle Awards

Last week, we honored outstanding minority-owned businesses at the 28th Annual Eagle Awards luncheon, presented by the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System. The sold-out event celebrated local businesses making significant contributions to our economy and community.

Rice & Reese Funeral Home has served the Prichard community with compassion for nearly 50 years. Since 1975, the family-owned business has provided funeral services, memorial services, military honors, cremation options and grief support. Beyond their professional services, Rice & Reese gives back through Thanksgiving meals, school supply drives, college tour support for students and partnerships with the Sickle Cell Center for blood drives.

Corporate Environmental Risk Management (CERM) has grown from its 1995 founding by two friends from Prichard into a nationally recognized firm delivering engineering, environmental and program management solutions across the Southeast. CERM’s work spans transportation, water systems, environmental compliance and federal facilities. The firm invests in the community through internships, mentoring, scholarships, toy drives, neighborhood cleanups and local partnerships.

The Soaring Eagle Legacy Award honored Major General Jerome Gary Cooper, USMC (Ret.) (1936-2024) posthumously for his extraordinary legacy of service. A University of Notre Dame graduate, he became the first Black officer in Marine Corps history to lead an infantry company into combat during the Vietnam War, earning the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry three times. His distinguished career included serving as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, and chairman of Commonwealth National Bank, Alabama’s first minority-owned national bank.

University of South Alabama and Airbus Announce Strategic Partnership

The University of South Alabama and Airbus are partnering to develop the next generation of aerospace professionals. USA President Jo Bonner and Airbus North America Chairman and CEO Robin Hayes announced the collaboration at USA’s fourth annual Research and Technology Showcase.

Airbus plans to relocate its growing Mobile-based U.S. Engineering Center to USA’s Research and Technology Park, creating expanded opportunities for internships, research collaboration and curriculum development. The partnership will provide students with hands-on experience working on real aerospace projects while giving Airbus access to exceptional talent from USA’s College of Engineering and Mitchell College of Business.

The move strengthens Mobile’s position as a major aerospace hub and demonstrates the power of collaboration between higher education and industry to drive regional economic growth.

Gulf Distributing Opens State-of-the-Art Headquarters in Downtown Mobile

Gulf Distributing celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters at the historic Press-Register building on Thursday. The milestone represents a more than $60 million investment in our community and marks the company’s return to downtown Mobile after nearly 50 years.

The 243,000-square-foot state-of-the-art warehouse facility at 401 N. Water Street will house Gulf’s corporate offices, employee training spaces and advanced distribution operations. The project relocates 257 existing employees to the downtown location and adds 65 new jobs to the local economy.

This significant investment underscores Gulf Distributing’s continued commitment to its workforce, cutting-edge technology and the Mobile community. The new central hub positions the company for continued growth while revitalizing a landmark downtown building.

These announcements reflect the strength and momentum of Mobile’s business community. From honoring established local businesses to welcoming transformative new partnerships and investments, our region continues to grow and thrive.

At yesterday’s board meeting, the Mobile Chamber Board of Directors voted to approve Teresa Williamson of Roberts Brothers Inc. as the 2026 chairman and Tyrone Fenderson of Synovus Bank as the chair-elect. We look forward to their leadership as we continue advancing Mobile’s economic vitality and business community.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant business community.

Until next week,

Originally published Friday, October 23.