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Economy

Labor force participation in Alabama’s Black Belt lags behind state, nation

Looking at the area over time, it’s clear that the Black Belt lags behind the rest of the state and country.
September 15, 2020

Governor announces reallocation of $300 million to prevent larger tax increases for state businesses

Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the reallocation of $300 million in federal CARES Act funds to prevent businesses from having to pay exorbitant unemployment insurance tax rates. The $300 million is to be transferred to the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and used to offset “shared costs” which are distributed to tax-paying employers, according … Continued
September 11, 2020

New unemployment claims increased last week

There were 8,902 new unemployment claims filed in Alabama last week, up from 7,823 the previous week, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Of the claims filed between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5, 4,528, or 51 percent, were related to COVID-19. That compares to 56 percent the previous week and 53 percent the week … Continued
September 10, 2020

Alabama to begin additional $300 in weekly unemployment benefits

Alabama on Sept. 3 will begin paying an additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits to those who qualify, Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced Thursday. Alabama has been approved to pay for four weeks of benefits retroactively, beginning on Aug. 1 and running through August 22. Future weeks … Continued
September 3, 2020

Alabama timber groups applaud $10 million in coronavirus relief

The Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association on Monday expressed gratitude to Gov. Kay Ivey for awarding $10 million in federal coronavirus relief to help forest owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jimmy Parnell, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, thanked Ivey and State Forester Rick Oates for the relief for landowners who … Continued
August 31, 2020

New unemployment claims declined last week

There were 8,676 new unemployment claims filed in Alabama last week, down from 11,048 the previous week, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Of the claims filed between Aug. 16 and Aug. 22, 4,588, or 53 percent, were related to COVID-19. That compares to 56 percent the previous week and 65 percent the week … Continued
August 28, 2020

PR firm urges businesses to adapt marketing strategies to crisis

The COVID-19 crisis has been hard on businesses, but it also presents new opportunities that can be taken advantage of, according to a Birmingham-based public relations firm that spoke at the Business Council of Alabama’s Engage Alabama conference. Louise Oliver, president and founder of Peritus Public Relations, headed a virtual presentation that exemplified what it … Continued
August 28, 2020

Despite COVID, Ivey administration aims to build a stronger workforce

From record-high employment in February to today’s economic downturn, things have changed dramatically for the state’s workforce, but there is also some good news. One thing that hasn’t faltered due to the pandemic’s ravages is Gov. Kay Ivey’s commitment to preparing Alabama’s workforce for the 21st-century job market. The innovation and forward-thinking efforts of the … Continued
August 26, 2020