University of Alabama Education Policy Center

Infrastructure

U of A EPC releases report on transportation infrastructure in the Black Belt

Researchers detailed how inadequate rural roadways isolated workers and fueled political tensions over state infrastructure funding priorities.

Alex Jobin

March 31, 2026

Black Belt lags behind Alabama’s broadband expansion success

The Ivey administration invested $2.5 billion in expansion funds since 2018, but persistent coverage gaps remain, especially in rural areas.

Alex Jobin

December 9, 2025

Alabama hits record employment, but deep disparities in Black Belt Region persist

While the state revels in historic job numbers, nearly 50,000 Alabamians have stopped looking for jobs altogether.

October 20, 2023

Report notes strengths, challenges in Alabama’s Black Belt

The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center report, the last in the series, focuses on local leaders in the Black Belt.

Eddie Burkhalter

April 26, 2022

Report: All 25 Black Belt counties are among 35 counties with the highest poverty

Alabama’s average poverty rate is 17.6 percent. The Black Belt’s average is 24 percent.

Eddie Burkhalter

March 29, 2022

Alabama Education Policy Center releases report on COVID in the Black Belt

Researchers noted the Black Belt's lack of access to medical care likely resulted in more COVID deaths in those counties.

Eddie Burkhalter

March 1, 2022

Alabama Office of Apprenticeship launches interactive dashboard

This dashboard is one of the first in the country to provide a one-stop shop to explore current registered apprenticeships.

October 26, 2021

Report: Lottery could help pay for college for thousands

A report recommends legislators put an estimated $280 million in annual revenues from a state lottery toward education.

Eddie Burkhalter

December 16, 2020

Report: Alabama’s Black Belt lags behind state in economic prospects

Black Belt counties lag behind others in economic prospects and investments in businesses.

Eddie Burkhalter

October 28, 2020

Alabama’s Black Belt lacks quality internet access, report finds

Twenty-two of 24 Black Belt counties are below the statewide average of 86 percent of the population who have access to high-speed internet, and two Black Belt Counties — Perry and Chocktaw — have no access at all.

Eddie Burkhalter

October 20, 2020