Study shows pension fund creates 5,800 jobs in state
MSNBC (Associated Press) – Jan. 29
A study of state government’s pension fund says its investments in Alabama companies helped provide more than 5,800 jobs and $245 mil¬lion in payroll…The study of the Retirement Systems of Alaba¬ma was done by the Center for Business and Eco¬nomic Research at the University of Alabama. The study said the 5,836 people employed by Alabama companies where the Retirement Sys¬tems made investments had an average payroll of $42,046. That was more than 14 percent above the state average of $36,751 in 2007…
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 29
WAKA (Montgomery) – Jan. 28
WAFF (Huntsville) – Jan. 28
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 28
FOX6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 28
Economic summit touts cooperation
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 29
…Grayson Glaze, director of the University of Alabama’s Center for Real Estate, said the Tuscaloosa area’s real estate market — covering Tuscaloosa, Greene, Bibb, Hale, Pickens and Fayette counties — is down but is not as bad as the national market. Building permits for new homes in the Tuscaloosa market will remain down this year because too many newly constructed homes remain unsold, he said.
It also is taking longer to sell existing homes because home sellers outnumber home buyers. In the near term, home prices will go down, he said. The economic summit was a collaborative effort of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 28
Alabama places 45 athletes on SEC honor roll
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 29
A total of 45 University of Alabama student-athletes, representing football, soccer and volleyball, were named to the 2008-09 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, the SEC Office announced today. The Crimson Tide football team had 22 players earn the conference honor…The academic honor roll is based on grades from the 2008 spring, summer and fall terms.
Housing starts hold their own
Huntsville Times – Jan. 29
…Statewide, home construction dropped nearly 45 percent in 2008, with 11,692 permits issued, compared to 21,077 in 2007, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Alabama.
UA hosts annual high school physics contest
Crimson White – Jan. 29
More than 100 students from at least six high schools will be coming to the University Friday to partake in the 33rd annual high school physics contest. This contest does not just consist of physics competitions but also programs for teachers, an open house on research in physics, a physics show and a way for high school students to experience the University. “Once a year and high schools register their students and form them in teams of four. They come and compete for scholarships,” said Nancy Pekera, who is part of the physics and astronomy department. From Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., students will be taking exams throughout the day that will test their physics and math skills. At the end of the day, there will be a 30-minute awards ceremony to honor the winners…
UA invites public to see Venus, moon
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 29
The University of Alabama will open its observatory in Gallalee Hall to the public for a viewing of Venus and the moon at 7 tonight…Phillip Hardee, a professor in Alabama’s physics and astronomy department, will host the event. He said that even though only one quarter of the moon’s surface would be visible, a crescent moon is actually better for viewing than a full moon. “You’re either looking at the sunrise or sunset line, which creates shadows that reveal the topography better,” Hardee said. “We are going to be seeing Venus in a crescent, like the moon, but it’s going to be cloud-covered so no features are visible.”…
Business briefs
Birmingham News – Jan. 29
Grayson Glaze, executive director of the Alabama Center for Real Estate at The University of Alabama, has been awarded the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation by the CCIM Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.