Over half of Alabamians now live in just eight counties
Alabama's 20 smallest counties have all lost population since 2010, according to population estimates.
economic incentives
House committee advances COVID liability bill
The sponsor said the legislation would give businesses, churches, schools and others immunity from civil liability resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.
Proposed beach express toll road is in an Opportunity Zone
Baldwin County voters are going to be able to go to the polls to vote on whether to approve a constitutional amendment allowing the construction of a toll road extending the Baldwin Beach Express from Interstate 10 to Interstate 65. The new 24 miles of road will go from Loxley where the existing Beach Express … Continued
Houses passes bill intended to improve use of economic incentives
The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Alabama Incentives Modernization Act on Thursday to improve the way that the state uses economic incentives. More specifically, this bill would add new tools for the attraction and expansion of businesses in rural Alabama as well as in federally designated Opportunity Zones. It also targets attracting technology companies. … Continued
U.S. Steel will restart construction on new electric arc furnace at Fairfield Works
Monday, U.S. Steel announced that it will restart construction of an electric arc furnace steelmaking plant at its Fairfield Works facility in Jefferson County. The new electric arc furnace replaces the aging blast furnace that is already there. Construction will begin immediately; and the furnace will come online in the second half of 2020. The … Continued
Economic developers want to expand ethics law exemptions
The Alabama Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission met in Montgomery for a public hearing on proposed “reforms” to the Alabama Ethics Law Tuesday. Many people in the economic development community were present to express their support for efforts to reform the state ethics law. They supported pending legislation to protect economic developers and … Continued
Canfield: Alabama Jobs Act will help grow payroll by $10.7 billion over the next 10 years
Monday the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee on Economic Incentives met in Montgomery to hear the annual required report on the performance of economic incentives that the state has offered under the Alabama Jobs Act. The joint committee holds a minimum of two meeting a year. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield reported that from July 2, … Continued
House votes to raise cap on incentives
By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, May 9, 2017, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to pass the Alabama Jobs Act, sponsored by State Representative Alan Baker. Rep. Baker said that HB574 is a follow up bill to 2015 Legislation. That earlier bill capped the amount of economic incentives that it can offer between … Continued
Governor Bentley Optimistic About His Tax Plan
By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, March 31, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) addressed the members of the Capital Press Corps, including the Alabama Political Reporter, in an informal press conference at the Alabama State House regarding his legislative priorities during the 2015 Legislative session. Governor Bentley spoke individually with legislators on the floor … Continued
Economic Incentives Package Passes House
By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, March 10, the Alabama Jobs Act sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton) was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate. This bill is reportedly designed to improve the state’s economic development efforts by revamping the incentives offered to companies … Continued