Economy

Sewell announces new grants for airports

Thursday, U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, announced today $21,549,052 in funding for airports throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, as part of the funding allocated by the CARES Act. “While we must continue to prioritize health care and safety initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must also do everything possible to mitigate the economic … Continued

April 21, 2020

“Expect a second wave:” What lifting restrictions too soon could look like

Public health experts in Alabama are urging caution and restraint as discussions abound about lifting the state’s stay-at-home order and relaxing other restrictions on the economy in the days and weeks ahead. Two experts dealing closely with the outbreak warn that reopening will almost certainly lead to a second wave of infections but reopening too … Continued

April 20, 2020

Reopening the state will require effort from everyone

I am tired of sitting at home. I miss sports. I miss going out to eat — there might not be enough salsa at the Mexican restaurants when this coronavirus quarantine is over. And I miss just doing normal things. But I don’t miss them enough that I’m OK with large numbers of people dying … Continued

April 17, 2020

Utility workers and service providers continue to power Alabama

Vast amounts of normal services have been interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation evolves and uncertainty remains, one thing that Alabamians can count on is for the lights to come on when they flip the switch. With many in our state working remotely, children engaging in virtual learning or caring for loved ones … Continued

April 17, 2020

Sewell pushes tool for Alabamians who don’t ordinarily file tax returns to get coronavirus direct payment

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell, D-Montgomery, announced tools Thursday to help Alabamians who do not normally file income tax returns the ability to still receive their coronavirus crisis direct payment. “The IRS has released important new information for Alabamians to access their coronavirus direct payments,” Sewell said in a statement. “Over 80 million Americans have received … Continued

April 17, 2020

Small Business Commission to announce recommendations for reopening the Alabama economy

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will hold a news conference Friday to announce a series of recommended steps for reopening Alabama’s economy, which were formulated at the request of Gov. Kay Ivey. According to the statement, the COVID-19 infection rate indicates that a downward trend has begun last week. … Continued

April 17, 2020

Ivey participates in call with President Trump to discuss economic restart

Earlier this afternoon, Gov. Kay Ivey participated in the conference call led by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to further discuss the federal government and states’ efforts to combat COVID-19, according to Ivey’s press secretary Gina Maiola. The conversation specifically focused on how to restart the economy. “The governor is grateful to … Continued

April 16, 2020

How to track the status of your unemployment claim

Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced Thursday that the agency has launched a new online tool to enable claimants to see the status of their unemployment claim, tell them what the next steps are and what to expect from the department. The tool includes the following information: What is My Claim Status? Tells … Continued

April 16, 2020

280,000 Alabamians filed unemployment claims over the last month

The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to add Alabamians to the state’s unemployment rolls. Another 77,515 Alabamians filed an initial jobless claim last week, bringing the total since the week ending March 14 up to 279,431, or about 12.5 percent of the state’s total labor force in February 2020. The number of … Continued

April 16, 2020

Alabama Power’s Mark Crosswhite to serve on president’s economic advisory panel

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the leadership of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups. The team represents a “bipartisan groups of American leaders who will work together with the White House to chart the path forward toward a future of unparalleled American prosperity,” according to the White House statement. Alabama Power Company President … Continued

April 15, 2020