Our state is facing a situation that has the potential to destroy Alabama jobs, Alabama companies and Alabama communities. The UAW is selling snake oil to hardworking Alabamians employed at auto manufacturing plants in an attempt to fleece money from the pockets of good people. None of this is new to me. I was raised […]

Right now, Alabama lawmakers are deciding whether to let you vote on constitutional amendments that would result in millions in revenue to the state, improved customer protections, and safeguards placed on the state’s currently unregulated gaming industry. But while we wait on the Legislature to act, an estimated $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot won this […]

Alabama has a historic opportunity to expand access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to everyone in the state, no matter where they live or their circumstances. Access, however, depends on more than wires, poles, and other pieces of infrastructure. It also depends on making sure that internet service is affordable, and that all Alabamians have […]

United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain took his war of words against Alabama Governor Kay to new heights on Tuesday during a rally in North Carolina. Fain’s heated comments directed toward the Yellowhammer State come during a time the UAW is closer than ever to unionizing Alabama’s automotive manufacturing industry via the Mercedes-Benz plant […]

Australian shipbuilder, Austal, has rejected a substantial takeover offer from a large multi-profile business conglomerate headquartered in South Korea. Austal, which operates AustalUSA in Mobile, reportedly received an offer from Hanwha Ocean worth approximately $662 million. Leadership at Austal said that the transaction wouldn’t likely gain regulatory approval. “The Austal board, together with its advisers, […]

Alabama Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston addressed the Business Council of Alabama on Tuesday morning to discuss Working for Alabama, the Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, and the thirteen days remaining in the 2024 legislative session. In his first session as Majority Leader, Livingston (R-Scottsboro), said now the Senate has passed legislation addressing of some of […]

Regions Bank is marking Financial Literacy Month this year with its 15th annual Share the Good Initiative. The company-wide volunteer effort benefits communities served by Regions throughout the Southeast, the Midwest, and Texas. The Alabama-based company’s 2024 Share the Good theme revolves around helping students build financial confidence. “The Share the Good program is an […]

Across Alabama, businesses of all sizes are facing a crucial challenge: Finding skilled workers. More than 5,000 businesses who collaborate with the Alabama Community College System to train workers know this fact: Every in-demand position within the state of Alabama can be started with training from one of Alabama’s community and technical colleges.  Amy Price, […]

Four years running: The Ōnin Group, a Birmingham-based staffing company, has been once again recognized by the Staffing Industry Analyst (SIA) as one of the ‘Best Staffing Firms to Work For in North America.’ This is the fourth consecutive year Ōnin has earned this award. “Our ability to consistently win this award — one that is […]

As an entrepreneur who started a humble, two-man business nearly 55 years ago that today employs more than 2,000, I am well aware that the backbone of any enterprise is its workforce. No business, big or small, has any chance of success if it doesn’t have good workers. The same is true for our state. […]

Childcare is an essential resource for Alabama’s working parents, yet the supply of quality, affordable, and accessible childcare is not keeping up with the growing demand. Currently, parents in Alabama make up 35% of the workforce. When parents have access to high-quality and affordable childcare, our employers benefit from reduced absenteeism and productivity loss, increased […]

Governor Kay Ivey announced some exciting economic news for the state on Tuesday. Ivey revealed that in 2023, companies from across the globe invested over $6.4 billion into the Yellowhammer State. She also said that the investments primarily came from companies launching operations in Alabama or expanding existing facilities. “We continue to make significant progress […]

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain showed up in Coaling, Alabama on Sunday to rally supporters and pitch union membership in an ongoing effort by his group to unionize Mercedes-Benz U.S. International employees in Alabama. As the first major automotive manufacturing facility to break ground in the state, the 1993 Mercedes-Benz development began a catalyst […]

Now over halfway into the 2024 state legislative session, Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed visited with Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal last week and shared excitement for efforts coming to fruition that address workforce development in Alabama. As lawmakers seek to streamline the state’s approach as a whole, they’ve proposed a range of solutions to […]

Every parent knows that raising a family comes with important decisions: where to send your child to school, what after-school activities they will participate in, or where you’ll take them to daycare. These decisions come at a significant cost, especially in an economy marked by Joe Biden’s soaring inflation rates. As inflation continues its upward […]

Global venture firm and accelerator network, gener8tor, selected 15 Alabama based startup businesses to participate in the company’s gBETA program. The program will last for seven weeks, designed to set a path for startups to pursue investment opportunities. Startup founders will also receive intensive concierge coaching and access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, […]

A facility to educate and train prospective energy sector professionals is set to be built in Jasper, Alabama. Beyond a new state-of-the-art building, a comprehensive program will also provide aid to employees and job seekers all the way through their pathway into a strong, lifelong career. The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network will […]

Uniti Fiber, a provider of infrastructure solutions, is installing nearly 65 miles of “middle mile” broadband in Alabama’s Black Belt region. The project is funded by a $4.2 million grant. Middle-mile projects, according to Uniti, reduce the costs and labor for providers to extend services to unserved businesses and households. This broadband project will serve […]

On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth were joined by all legislative leaders from both the Alabama House and Senate to announce a comprehensive plan to tackle Alabama’s workforce challenges, enhance the state’s economic competitiveness, streamline government, and remove barriers to employment for Alabamians. The package is entitled Working for Alabama.  It […]

According to a study by Stacker, an internet news source, Alabama is home to three of the top 50 cities in the U.S. in which houses stay on the market longest. “Many homeowners are reluctant to surrender their current, locked-in, lower mortgage rates in order to purchase a new home with the current higher rates,” […]

Bud Light has announced a collaboration with the University of Alabama for March Madness.  The beer company is releasing special edition 12-packs featuring the iconic script “A” logo with Crimson bottles. The cans will also feature a special QR code for fans to scan and qualify for a chance to win a trip to Las […]

House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels is attempting to solve a growing issue within the state that is affecting some of Alabama’s poorest residents. At a Business Council of Alabama gathering Tuesday, Daniels discussed a way forward regarding childcare tax credits and to incentivize industry to get involved in the process. “I’ll be dropping the childcare […]

The Alabama Department of Labor reported that the state labor force participation rate remained constant at 57.4% for the month of January. The national rate was 62.5%, placing Alabama among the five lowest-ranking states in terms of residents either working or actively looking for work. However, the agency did say that the job count in […]

Lauderdale County homes and small businesses are receiving a major upgrade in their internet connection thanks to a new fiber-optic network being installed by Spectrum, a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving over 32 million customers in 41 states. The project has been made possible through the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, two […]