In an effort to tackle the nation’s largest carbon pollution source, U.S. President Joe Biden has signed an executive order calling for all-electric cars to make up 50% of new sales in the country by 2030 and more stringent fuel-economy standards for gasoline-driven cars and light-duty trucks for the model years 2023-2026.

With the recent $271 million investment by Westover Resources into an advanced graphite processing plant, the Lake Martin Area has reached a critical mass in momentum for industries in the graphite processing and battery manufacturing industry. The graphite plant in Kellyton is expected to employ at least 100 full-time, permanent workers. The plant’s processing of graphite is a strength as graphite a key component in lithium-ion batteries, as well as a conductivity enhancer for all types of batteries, including the common lead-acid batteries in traditional vehicles.

“This plant not only will make Alabama the U.S. leader in graphite production, the go-to place for this important resource in battery manufacturing, it also will elevate our standing even more as a major player in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector.”

-Governor Kay Ivey

The most innovative technologies are emerging from medical device manufacturers. As new developments and advancements are made in instrumentation, biotechnology, microelectronics, microsurgery, and other emerging fields, it becomes more important than ever to continue investing in medical industry innovation. With first-class industry training in precision machining, plastic injection molding, instrumentation, and electrical wiring provided locally at Central Alabama Community College, the Lake Martin area can provide the Medical and Pharmaceutical industries with the workforce they need.

The Lake Martin area is home to a concentration of premiere healthcare facilities that support the medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The region is home to two major medical centers, one community hospital, seven home health care agencies, five assisted living centers and nine nursing home facilities, for a total of 885 patient rooms, 1 24-hour emergency room, and over 31 medical specialties, covered by over 28,000 healthcare employees.

Alabama's forests cover over 23 million acres, almost 70 percent of the state. These forests not only contribute to the state's rich biodiversity, but they play an important economic role as well. Alabama forests are comprised of 47% softwood stands (mostly pine), 41% hardwood stands, and 12% mixed hardwood/pine stands. Values are trending toward increased softwood acreage. Of the 20 Alabama ranked in the Northeast portion of the State by the Alabama Forestry Commission, Tallapoosa County is the second highest in forested acreage, at 392,050 acres and Coosa County is fourth at 375,694 acres. The Lake Martin Area currently has a skilled and growing workforce in the wood products industry. In addition, wood products companies currently located in Lake Martin have seen momentum in recent years. With a concentrated network of procurement companies and loggers, as well as a workforce trained in many aspects of the wood product’s industry processes, your company can be highly successful in the Lake Martin area.

Today’s manufacturing environments look a little different than in years’ past. Manufacturing technology is more advanced than ever before, and more global than ever before. Located in the heart of Alabama, the Lake Martin area is in close proximity to world-renowned research university, Auburn University. With access to US Hwy 280- and first-class transportation infrastructure, your products can reach multiple markets easily and efficiently. With a community college dedicated to providing local companies with a highly skilled workforce, it makes sense that our advanced manufacturing partners are very successful. Central Alabama Community College provides academic and technical degree programs for jobs in high-paying industries, including machinery manufacturing. Industry-specific workforce training programs such as: Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic, Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal