Business Council of Alabama, Author at Yellowhammer News

This month, the Business Council of Alabama announced Helena Duncan as president and CEO. As the state’s largest business advocacy organization, BCA’s stated purpose is to aggressively represent Alabama’s business community.

For more about Alabama’s newest CEO, her leadership philosophy and expectations for the future, here are “Four Questions with Helena Duncan.”

During your 30-plus-year career in the banking industry, you served in a variety of roles before becoming a top executive at a $22 billion asset bank. How has this experience influenced your approach to business advocacy?

From my early years as a bank teller all the way to my position as Regional President at Liberty Bank & Trust, I was able to see the struggles of main street businesses firsthand. Individuals would have a business opportunity and come to me for lending. Many of those main street businesses I worked with closely are impacted by the pro-jobs and pro-growth legislation that we advocate for here at BCA. Now, I am in a position to remove some of those obstacles I’ve seen throughout my career and help create more opportunity for businesses.

Part of the mission of BCA is to battle against well-funded, anti-business groups and fight expensive mandates and regulations. What is your leadership philosophy as you take the lead pursuing this mission?

Our newly developed strategic plan has been focused on fresh and innovative ways to advocate for the business community in Alabama, but our mission remains the same: work hard for pro-jobs and pro-growth legislation. When hired, I was tasked with building relationships, not only with our members, but with those within the branches of our state government. I will continue to grow existing relationships and cultivate new relationships as I lead BCA. I will do everything I can to continue building upon the firm foundation set, while protecting Alabama businesses from unnecessary mandates and costly regulations.

In your previous role in the organization, you led Investor Relations. What have you learned from your members that will shape BCA’s priorities moving into the 2023 legislative cycle?

Many businesses I spoke with in my Investor Relations role were trying to stretch a dollar a long way and get the most they could out of their BCA investment. We are going to prioritize legislation that grows our economy and prioritizes businesses. Our legislative agenda is first and foremost set by those same BCA members. We have a very extensive legislative process with our BCA policy committees that ensures we are listening to the needs of our members and effectively advocating on their behalf. BCA is strong and effective because of our members – and we will continue to make their needs our top priority.

How do you envision the future of BCA as far as the role it plays in Alabama’s political and economic climate?

BCA continues to serve as the voice for Alabama business. We have a talented, creative, and energetic staff and we continue to search for new and innovative ways to serve the business community daily. BCA has been fortunate to have dedicated leadership who work tirelessly to build a strong organization, and we are stronger than ever because of that commitment. BCA remains steadfast in our mission to give a voice to Alabama’s job creators in Montgomery and in Washington, D.C.

Watch “10 Questions with Helena” to learn more about BCA’s new leader and how she plans to continue the organization’s mission serving as the voice for Alabama businesses.

Recently the Business Council of Alabama announced Helena Duncan as president and CEO. As the state’s largest business advocacy organization, BCA’s stated purpose is to aggressively represent Alabama’s business community.

For more about Alabama’s newest CEO, her leadership philosophy and expectations for the future, here are “Four Questions with Helena Duncan.”

In your previous role in the organization, you led Investor Relations. What have you learned from your members that will shape BCA’s priorities moving into the 2023 legislative cycle?

How do you envision the future of BCA as far as the role it plays in Alabama’s political and economic climate?

Watch “10 Questions with Helena” to learn more about BCA’s new leader and how she plans to continue the organization’s mission serving as the voice for Alabama businesses.

Last week the Business Council of Alabama announced Helena Duncan as president and CEO. As the state’s largest business advocacy organization, BCA’s stated purpose is to aggressively represent Alabama’s business community.

For more about Alabama’s newest CEO, her leadership philosophy and expectations for the future, here are “Four Questions with Helena Duncan.”

In your previous role in the organization, you led Investor Relations. What have you learned from your members that will shape BCA’s priorities moving into the 2023 legislative cycle?

How do you envision the future of BCA as far as the role it plays in Alabama’s political and economic climate?

Watch “10 Questions with Helena” to learn more about BCA’s new leader and how she plans to continue the organization’s mission serving as the voice for Alabama businesses.

A clear message was delivered by the results of the 2022 primary and runoff elections. Alabama voters want political leaders who support a pro-jobs agenda for the Yellowhammer State.

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA), working through its political affiliate ProgressPAC, endorsed more than 120 candidates leading up to the 2022 primary elections. All three branches of state government were represented in these bipartisan endorsements. The endorsements were based on a candidate’s history of or support for pro-growth, solution-oriented policies that will help grow our economy and move Alabama forward. More than 92% of these BCA-endorsed, pro-jobs candidates won their primary and runoff elections—an overwhelming success rate.

At the start of the 2022 election cycle, Alabama’s business community began working collaboratively to identify and select candidates that recognize the vital role of employers in improving the state’s economy. Those candidates were supported and highlighted by the creation of BCA’s comprehensive Pro-Jobs Candidate Guide and Voter Resource. This guide was then disseminated to BCA’s member companies and made available and promoted to all Alabama voters.

The 2022 primary election cycle saw the majority of voters turn out for candidates who supported Alabama’s employers and the jobs they create and sustain. Voters were drawn to candidates who support existing economic development tools, fair labor laws, policies that encourage innovation and job creation, and who oppose costly regulations and frivolous lawsuits against employers.

BCA and ProgressPAC will continue to support their slate of currently endorsed candidates as those candidates prepare for their general election. BCA is Alabama’s largest and most diverse organization advocating for business and industry in the state. As the voice for Alabama business, we will continue to advocate for an even better business climate and brighter future for Alabama.

A clear message was delivered by the results of the 2022 primary and runoff elections. Alabama voters want political leaders who support a pro-jobs agenda for the Yellowhammer State.

A clear message was delivered by the results of the 2022 primary and runoff elections: Alabama voters want political leaders who support a pro-jobs agenda for the Yellowhammer State.

Good public policy happens when the right people are elected, and that’s what this voter guide is all about — identifying the candidates who understand the critical issues and are not afraid to step up and lead Alabama in the right direction.

BCA has compiled a visual, user-friendly voter guide of endorsed candidates who have been given the “pro-jobs” stamp of approval. The voter guide lists endorsed candidates for Alabama’s statewide and legislative races.

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and its political affiliate, ProgressPAC, remain committed to fighting for Alabama by endorsing pro-jobs candidates who will help lead Alabama into a bright economic future. These pro-jobs candidates understand what it takes to create an environment that allows businesses to grow and expand which results in good, high-paying jobs for hardworking Alabamians.

A few highlights from the list include:

Kay Ivey who has already overseen over $32 billion in new capital investment in the state, as well as over 65,000 new jobs created. Alabama has also been recognized as the best business climate in the nation during this time, recorded the lowest unemployment rate in state history and received numerous economic development honors. Governor Ivey has tackled the state’s toughest issues head-on, from infrastructure to education.
Wes Allen for Secretary of State who was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018 where he represented House District 89. Prior to his service in the Legislature, Allen served as probate judge of Pike County where he oversaw 18 elections.
Greg Cook for Supreme Court is a partner at the law firm of Balch & Bingham, where he serves as chair of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice. Cook received his JD from Harvard Law School and his undergraduate degree from Duke University.

A full list of endorsed, pro-job candidates as well as additional election resources can be found on the Vote for Alabama Jobs website.

A few highlights from the list include:

Kay Ivey who has already overseen over $32 billion in new capital investment in the state, as well as over 65,000 new jobs created. Alabama has also been recognized as the best business climate in the nation during this time, recorded the lowest unemployment rate in state history and received numerous economic development honors. Governor Ivey has tackled the state’s toughest issues head-on, from infrastructure to education.
Wes Allen for Secretary of State who was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018 where he represented House District 89. Prior to his service in the Legislature, Allen served as probate judge of Pike County where he oversaw 18 elections.
Greg Cook for Supreme Court is a partner at the law firm of Balch & Bingham, where he serves as chair of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice. Cook received his JD from Harvard Law School and his undergraduate degree from Duke University.

A full list of endorsed, pro-job candidates as well as additional election resources can be found on the Vote for Alabama Jobs website.

A few highlights from the list include:

Kay Ivey who has already overseen over $32 billion in new capital investment in the state, as well as over 65,000 new jobs created. Alabama has also been recognized as the best business climate in the nation during this time, recorded the lowest unemployment rate in state history and received numerous economic development honors. Governor Ivey has tackled the state’s toughest issues head-on, from infrastructure to education.
Wes Allen for Secretary of State who was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018 where he represented House District 89. Prior to his service in the Legislature, Allen served as probate judge of Pike County where he oversaw 18 elections.
Greg Cook for Supreme Court is a partner at the law firm of Balch & Bingham, where he serves as chair of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice. Cook received his JD from Harvard Law School and his undergraduate degree from Duke University.

A full list of endorsed, pro-job candidates as well as additional election resources can be found on the Vote for Alabama Jobs website.

“When we invest in our roads and bridges, we are investing in our people and our future”

When Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the most recent round of local projects, that’s how she described their importance to communities across Alabama.

Tens of millions of dollars have already contributed to prepping our infrastructure for the 21st century.

Cities such as as Trussville, Tuscaloosa and Slocomb, and counties from Autauga to Jefferson to Etowah, are seeing road and bridge projects which will make life easier for residents of the Yellowhammer State.

In 2020, 43 local projects received grant money from the Rebuild Alabama program, with an average award of nearly $333,000. The program is on pace to surpass those totals in 2021, with an average award of more than $357,000.

Better roads. Stronger bridges.

More jobs. Less headaches.

Rebuild Alabama is delivering for us.

“When we invest in our roads and bridges, we are investing in our people and our future”

When Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the most recent round of local projects, that’s how she described their importance to communities across Alabama.

Tens of millions of dollars have already contributed to prepping our infrastructure for the 21st century.

Better roads. Stronger bridges.

More jobs. Less headaches.

Rebuild Alabama is delivering for us.

“When we invest in our roads and bridges, we are investing in our people and our future”

When Gov. Kay Ivey awarded the most recent round of local projects, that’s how she described their importance to communities across Alabama.

Tens of millions of dollars have already contributed to prepping our infrastructure for the 21st century.

Better roads. Stronger bridges.

More jobs. Less headaches.

Rebuild Alabama is delivering for us.

Small businesses have been the heartbeat of our hometowns for generations, and over the past year and a half, they’ve held us up more than ever. It hasn’t been easy, but they’ve fought mightily to keep their doors open and support our communities.

Here at the Business Council of Alabama, we want to say a heartfelt “Thank you.” We couldn’t have gotten through this without you. You’re not just a business. You’re our neighbors and our friends. You were there for us, and we at the Business Council are here for you.

(more…)

Not only is light at the end of the tunnel, but the sun is shining on Alabama’s business community.

Alabama businesses are actively hiring as the unemployment rate continues to drop and economic optimism rebounds. Our state is poised for a robust recovery from the pandemic — with the best days ahead.

The state’s unemployment rate has fallen each month this year and is quickly approaching the historic lows enjoyed before the COVID-19 pandemic shook the nation last spring.

“Not only is the unemployment rate dropping, but businesses are actively hiring,” said Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt. “Alabama truly is open for business, and we have a lot of reason for optimism moving forward.” (more…)

Friday marked the final day of National Small Business Week, a week dedicated to recognizing the important and critical contributions to America’s success by small business owners and entrepreneurs.

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, which create about two of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

Whether it’s a young couple that started a house painting-lawn service-spray wash business and now has grown enough to hire two employees, to a locally owned pizza parlor that for decades has provided full or part-time jobs for 15 or more people, to the local paint store or auto parts store, small businesses are the institutional backbone of communities, and state and national economies.

Who at one time has not worked for a small business, maybe in the summer, when attending high school or college, and then as an adult in the work force either as an employee or ultimately an owner?

Every year since 1963, the president of the Untied States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week.

“Our small businesses represent what is best about our Nation – the idea that with determination and responsibility, anyone can build a better life for themselves and their loved ones,” states the proclamation. “This week, we recognize the role small businesses play as pillars of our communities and engines of our growing economy, and we rededicate ourselves to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit that has forged the strongest economy the world has ever known.”

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Alabama in 2012 had 386,661 small businesses that employed 764,207 men and women, or about half of the state’s private workforce. Virtually all firms with employees are small, making up 96.8 percent of all employers in the state. In Alabama, small businesses created 24,890 net new jobs in 2012.

“Small businesses provide the majority of jobs for Alabamians, and protecting their entrepreneurial efforts sustains job growth and is essential to Alabama’s continued economic development,” said Business Council of Alabama President and CEO William J. Canary. “Small businesses from Waterloo to the Wiregrass and from Bridgeport to Bayou La Batre are the backbone of our economy.”

During National Small Business Week, the SBA has highlighted the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories, to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness, the SBA said.

SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet has hosted events in Los Angeles, San Antonio, New York City, and Washington, D.C. The event concluded Friday with the recognition of national award winners and the selection of the national Small Business Person of the Year.