According to a recent report from Zepol Corp, a company based in Minnesota that specializes in tracking trade activity, Mobile AL had a decent outcome for a generally slow year as far as container traffic is concerned.  Zepol Corp reported that overall shipments were up,  and TEUs (a standard industry measurement that shows container volume) were flat; though this is not too bad considering that other ports around the country have been struggling to come within 10 or 20 percent of last year’s totals.

This year marked the first full year of operation for the new Mobile Container Terminal, and it was the nation’s number 26 container destination in 2009, based on volume.  Although predictions do not expect that 2010 will show a total rebound of container traffic, Mobile AL is anticipated to be among the biggest and most significant ports in the country projected ten years out.

For more on economic conditions and community news in Mobile AL, visit the Press-Register online.

And keep Mobile AL realtor Barbara Reeves in mind for all your Mobile and West Mobile AL real estate endeavors this year.

Mobile AL’s Berg Spiral Pipe Corp.’s parent company Europipe GmbH has won a some $920 million contract (650 million euro) to supply pipe for a large project in Europe.  The project would involve supplying pipe for the construction of a second line of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline stretching from Russia to Germany.  The ordered 1 million metric tons of pipe will be needed for the beginning of constructed expected this spring starting under the Baltic Sea.

Europipe has a partnership between German steelmakers Salzgitter AG and Dillinger Hutte, and in 2008 Europipe opened a $96 million Berg mill north of downtown Mobile in Plateau.

For more information on this story visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate in Mobile or West Mobile AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

At the north Mobile County ThyssenKrup steel complex, the start of production is growing very near.  for this $4.65 billion steel complex in Calvert, the first slabs for the mill have been on their way from Germany and excepted to arrive by February 15th.  American steel mills on the whole have run at about 65 percent capacity during the second week of January, which is better than the utilization rate at the depths of the market last year, but the Mobile steel mill plans on avoiding producing more than the current market needs.  The German steelmaker did a major reorganization partially to control expenses so that past losses from cost overruns will be less likely.  The Mobile AL steel mill employs approximately 5,000 construction workers and continues to be an exciting addition to the area’s economy.

For more information on ThyssenKrupp in Mobile AL visit the Press Register online.

And for all your Mobile AL real estate endeavors keep local realtor Barbara Reeves in mind.

Get ready for the 2010 Mardi Gras Season in Mobile AL

The Mardi Gras season is coming for Mobile AL this new year.  The 2010 Carnival season will kick off with Krewe De La Dauphine’s parade in Dauphin Island AL on January 16 with the theme being “Games Children Play.”

This celebration in the Gulf Coast was first observed in Mobile AL in 1703 and has been a fabulous tradition ever since, marked by great regional treats and parades.  More activities are scheduled all across Mobile and Baldwin counties with new parade themes and celebrations.  Keep checking back at AL.com for more information on Mardi Gras activities this year.

For more information on property in Alabama’s Gulf coast, including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort, contact your friendly local agent Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent article in the Press-Register, municipal financial planners in Gulf Shores AL are predicting an increase in revenue for 2010.  Over this year, city officials have been cutting expenses and the preliminary budget proposal for 2010 should allow the city to put away nearly $1.1 million in reserve.

Differences in the budget from 2009 to next year include a decrease in funds from $3.64 million to $150,000 for the Police Department, an increase of $43,000 for special events and programs, and cost savings from restructuring the administrative functions of City Hall; the latter restructuring process should eliminate positions that will be replaced for more efficiency and these changes are expected to save money in the long run.  This new 2010 budget is expected to get the city back on schedule with street resurfacing and putting away a significant amount by the end of the year.

For more news on the economy on Alabama’s Gulf Coast visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

Mobile AL still working for US Air Force Tanker contract

With the U.S. Air Force tanker contract still open to one of several companies, the new boss at EADS North America is looking to make Mobile AL the winner.  Last Tuesday Sean O’Keefe was introduced at the next man to lead the company’s operations in the United States, replacing Ralph Crosby.  Mr. Crosby will remain the chairman and continue to overlook the tanker competition for EADS; Crosby successfully led negotiations that brought Northrop Grumman Corp as prime contractor on the tanker team and opted for the planned $600 million assembly plant to be in Mobile AL.  As the tanker contract is crucial to the company’s future, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions believes that with Crosby and O’Keefe’s leadership, both EADS and the Mobile community have a ‘great asset’ on their side.
For more information on the tanker contract efforts visit Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate in Mobile or West Mobile AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

Mobile middle and high schools will be seeing some changes soon as the Mobile County school board designated $33 million for construction purposes.  Within this $33 million are funds set aside to help Mobile schools as well as tear one down that has not been in use for years.  B.C. Rain High will be receiving the largest sum at $8.4 million for renovations including a new health and fitness wing.  Mobile middle schools including Scarborough and Semmes, as well as Morningside Elementary school, and Baker and Bryant high schools will be seeing funds coming their way for improvements as well.   Also the old Crichton Elementary School will be taken down as it is not been in use for years, giving the region a cleaner appearance.

For more information on buying or selling real estate in Mobile AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

image credit: sxc.hu

Gulf Shores Alabama was filled with athletes and tourists gathered to participate and watch the Wave Loch Flowrider National Championship.  This three day event last weekend concluded the Flow Tour which covered 16 sights nationwide.  Usually held in California, this relatively new sporting championship involves competitions for just about every age group and awards cash prizes to winners in expert standup and body board division.  The Gulf Coast of Alabama was deemed the perfect place to hold the last events of the Flow Tour due to the ideal coastal conditions and arena style atmosphere.

For information on buying or selling homes, condos or other properties in the beautiful Gulf Coast AL area including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

image credit: sxc.hu

The latest report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service field office is that Alabama farmers’ crop yields well be above the 10 year average.  These predictions are calculated on the amount produced per acre for such crops as corn, cotton, peanuts and soybeans.  This is a more positive outlook than what was expected with the obstacles to growers this year as heavy spring rains caused many to wait to plant while forcing others to re-plant.  The crop yield expectations are based on conditions on the first of August and project a bountiful harvest this year as long as rain continues to fall on a steady basis.

With the economy on the rise, now is the time to buy Alabama real estate.  Contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today for more information on Gulf Coast AL homes including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne Alabama.

image credit: sxc.hu

The planned ecological park in Foley AL is on its way to completion.  Although this Gulf Coast AL Graham Creek Preserve may be a few years from being the park that was envisioned in the multi-million dollar land purchase, a canoe launch has been finished.  The canoe launch is on the 483-acre tract and is tentatively scheduled to be opened by October; this launch is decked in benches on both sides of the landing area and the part that enters the water is a type of plastic material, according to a recent report from Baldwin County Now online.   The city had anticipated the opening of this canoe launch to be by January 2010, but if a road and a parking lot are completed it can open up as soon as October of this year.  Other developments for the Graham Creek Nature Preserve include roads, a pavilion, and hiking trails.

For more information on real estate in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope AL contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.