BIRMINGHAM – The Huntsville-Madison County area is among 10 host communities for an Economic Development Partnership of Alabama college intern program.
Fuel Alabama, a talent attraction and retention program of the EDPA in partnership with Innovate Alabama, is designed to help college students build professional and community connections across Alabama, will expand its reach to include new and returning communities.
This summer, FuelAL will provide college interns with opportunities for professional development, mentorship, community engagement and networking. By immersing students in local industries and cultural experiences, FuelAL aims to showcase Alabama as an attractive place to launch a career and establish roots.
“Put simply, FuelAL is an investment in Alabama’s economic future,” said Estes Hughes, vice president of Innovation & Talent at EDPA. “By connecting students with industries, communities, and career opportunities, we’re ensuring they see Alabama as a place to build their lives. We’ve touched nearly 900 students since we started this program, and we plan on surpassing 1,000 this summer.
“FuelAL supports key industries like mobility, defense, life sciences, and IT while strengthening local businesses and communities. With continued collaboration, we can sustain this momentum and make Alabama a top destination for top talent.”
Along with the Huntsville-Madison County area, other host communities are Auburn, Bibb County, Calhoun County, Dothan, Greater Birmingham, Mobile, Opelika, the River Region and Tuscaloosa.
In addition to programming within host communities, EDPA will host two statewide FuelAL Summits this summer. The summits, set for June 13-15 and July 18-19, will bring together students from across Alabama for professional development and networking.
For more information about FuelAL and its 2025 programming, visit www.edpa.org/talent.
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