Fuel Alabama, a program of Innovate Alabama and EDPA, Expands Statewide Talent Programming for Summer of 2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 1, 2024) – Fuel Alabama (FuelAL), a talent attraction and retention program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), in partnership with Innovate Alabama, is proud to announce its collaboration with 10 select communities to offer summer programming for college students. Partnering communities will offer professional development, service opportunities, mentorship and social events to summer interns throughout the state, focusing on their experience outside the workplace.

Begun in 2021, FuelAL has connected undergraduate and graduate students to a region and its employers through community-building activities that showcase Alabama’s unique assets. Through this summer’s activities, interns will broaden their networks and socialize with peers through professional workshops, team-building exercises and more. With this program, FuelAL will deepen connections and position Alabama as an attractive place for students to grow roots and start their lives as young professionals.

FuelAL programming will be hosted within the following 10 communities across Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Baldwin County, Calhoun County, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika and Tuscaloosa.

“Each city’s lineup is a testament to Alabama’s commitment to cultivating a supportive and dynamic environment for our future leaders,” said Miller Girvin, Chief Operating Officer at EDPA. “This summer will serve as a full-spectrum experience—professionally enriching and personally unforgettable.”

To supplement the incredible experiences in interns’ host cities, EDPA will also host two Summer Summits, designed to engage and fuel relationships among community-oriented young professionals in disparate regions. Interns who have participated in events in their community will be given the opportunity to sign up for a fun-filled weekend with 40 fellow interns based throughout Alabama.  Details are forthcoming, but the summits are scheduled for June 28-30, 2024, and July 19-21, 2024.

“Innovate Alabama is honored to partner with EDPA to bring these incredible experiences to young professionals across the state,” said Shannon Allen, Program Director at Innovate Alabama. “The highlighted communities have so much to offer, and we know that they will showcase the very best of Alabama.”

For more information and updates to come, please see the EDPA website.

To learn more about unique programming within communities and intern applications, please see FuelAL Host City links and contact information below:

• Auburn + Opelika: Amy Brabham and Griffin O’Connor
  • abrabham@auburnalabama.organd goconnor@opelika-al.gov
• Birmingham: Trevor Sutton
  • tsutton@birminghambusinessalliance.com
• Baldwin County: McCall Lugo
  • mlugo@baldwineda.com
• Calhoun County: Linda Hearn, Laurel Harp and Savannah Dempsey
  • lindah@calhounchamber.com, LHarp@calhouncountyedc.org and savannahd@calhounchamber.com
• Dothan: Jessica Steltenpohl
  • jessicas@dothan.com
• Huntsville: Annie Davis
  • adavis@hsvchamber.org
• Mobile: Abbey Huguley
  • ahuguley@mobilechamber.com
• Montgomery: Kenneth (Kenny) Ward
  • kward@montgomerychamber.com
• Tuscaloosa: Kelsey Rush and Justice Smyth
  • krush@visittuscaloosa.comand smyth@tcoeda.com

About Fuel Alabama (FuelAL)

FuelAL helps university students understand the range of opportunities available across Alabama by connecting them to communities and community employers. Through interactive events, such as industry treks, community service projects, social mixers and more, FuelAL helps young talent explore beyond the 9-to-5. With FuelAL, young professionals can make connections across the entire state and reap the benefits of living and working in Alabama. We believe that connecting talented students with communities and employers in every corner of the state is key to the success of Alabama’s economic future. We are committed to providing a platform for students to discover the many opportunities available to them and creating meaningful connections between students and employers throughout the state.

About Innovate Alabama

Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama is also made up of a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology and facilitate an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Learn more about Innovate Alabama at www.innovatealabama.org.