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economic development

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Marsh to meet with Gov. Ivey to decide fate of economic developer bill

Senate President Del Marsh, R-Anniston, asked the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee to hold over a bill Wednesday to exempt economic developers from the state’s lobbying requirements until after he meets with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on the matter today. House Bill 317, titled The Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act, is sponsored by State … Continued
March 15, 2018

Bill to clarify the role of economic developers passes House

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a controversial bill that specified that economic developers are not lobbyists. The House Bill 317’s sponsor is state Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton. Johnson said that this bill is the Alabama Commerce Department’s. This bill has been widely panned in the media for … Continued
March 7, 2018

The Alabama House: Making Illegal Lobbying Legal Again

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter There they go again. Your Alabama Legislature, playing with the ethics laws. Loosening them. Giving themselves a little more wiggle room, because dammit, earning an easy $45,000-plus for putting in a three-day work week three months out of the year can really grind on a man, I reckon. Tuesday … Continued
March 7, 2018

Ivey announces 110 new jobs in Pike County at new lumber manufacturing facility

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Rex Lumber Co. is planning to build a state-of-the-art lumber manufacturing facility in Pike County. The new Rex Lumber Co. plant will create more than 110 jobs and provide a significant economic boost to the region’s forest products industry. “Rex Lumber’s new … Continued
March 1, 2018

The sketchiness of “economic development”

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Let’s be honest, governing well is hard. So hard, in fact, that sometime in the past, most Alabama politicians quit trying. And so, our people found an easier way to make taxpayers at least believe that they’re doing some good. Economic development. Essentially, the idea is this: We pay … Continued
February 13, 2018

Ivey announces grant to Calhoun College Huntsville Hospital Nursing lab

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a grant to assist Huntsville Hospital to build a nursing simulation lab at Calhoun College’s Huntsville campus on Friday. “Today, I was thrilled to announce that I have awarded a $1 million grant to [Huntsville Hospital] to partner with [Calhoun College] to construct a … Continued
February 13, 2018

Under guise of economic development, legislation would open door for public officials to lobby government

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter New legislation in the Alabama House of Representatives would alter the definition of lobbyist and lobbying in such a way as to open the floodgates for public officials to use their office for personal gain under the guise of economic development. Behind HB317 is Republican Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, … Continued
January 29, 2018

Toyota and Mazda to build massive new auto manufacturing plant in Limestone County

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, Toyota and Mazda announced that they were building a joint manufacturing plant at a site in Limestone County. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said, “Today is indeed a great day in the state of Alabama.” “Growing businesses and creating opportunities for the people of Alabama is a process. I … Continued
January 11, 2018

Kimber to open firearms manufacturing facility in Troy

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced during her Tuesday’s State of the State speech that Kimber Manufacturing Inc., a leading U.S. firearms manufacturer, has finalized plans to open a production facility in Troy, Alabama, where it will create 366 jobs and invest $38 million into the local economy over the … Continued
January 11, 2018

Rural prosperity: Key to Alabama’s future

By John McMillan Agriculture and Industries Commissioner “Rural Prosperity,” the title of a just-released report by the Trump Administration, comes at a most opportune time when more and more Americans and Alabamians are enjoying a rapidly growing economy. However, a segment of our nation and state are being left out of the rising economic tide, … Continued
January 10, 2018