United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for a busy schedule of rocket launches after completing a $300 million-plus expansion project that made its Alabama rocket factory the largest facility of its kind in the world. The growth in Decatur will allow ULA to nearly double its launch rate. “We are grateful for the partnerships that […]

Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Lee Lawson believes that the 2024 legislative session is going to be of great benefit for Alabama's workforce going into the future.

As former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn once said, and I’ll paraphrase, “Any fool can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.” In our political landscape today, from Washington, D.C. down, we have plenty of folks kicking down barns, but not nearly enough carpenters building […]

Innovate Alabama plays a crucial role in fostering small business growth within the Yellowhammer State. To continue its invaluable efforts, the organization is set to receive close to $98 million in additional funding.

Fresh off his unsuccessful attempt to unionize the Mercedes Benz Plant in Vance, Alabama, United Auto Worker's President Shawn Fain is now under investigation for allegedly contributing to significant corruption within the organization.

Auburn University is initiating a project aimed at extending its support for the state’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the school announced in Monday’s Board of Trustees June recap. Late last week, the Board approved the construction of an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. According to the release, the lab […]

Jason Pickering of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing has been named Chair of North AlabamaWorks (NAW), the Regional Workforce Council of North Alabama. He’ll assume leadership following the recent retirement of Melinda Weaver of Alabama Power as Chair. North AlabamaWorks is a nonprofit serving Region 1 of Alabama’s Regional Workforce Councils, dedicated to facilitating a comprehensive, coordinated […]

After a landmark legislative effort across both the Alabama House and Senate, identified as a top priority in Governor Kay Ivey’s 2024 State of the State address, leaders celebrated the signing of six bills that make up the “Working for Alabama” plan. The package is set to address a major vulnerability in Alabama’s workforce and […]

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair joined Capitol Journal's Todd Stacy last week to discuss her economic professional background, approach to crafting policy, and also the ongoing unionization efforts within the state by the UAW.

As the Working for Alabama legislative package moves through the process, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter addressed the wide range of Alabamians the bills stand to serve. “Session after session, the men and women of the Legislature come together and pass pro-business legislation that helps Alabamians thrive,” Ledbetter said. “We’re not hanging our hats […]

One component to the seven-bill Working for Alabama legislative package awaits a vote from the Alabama Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education related to an aspect of the state’s low workforce participation rate that hits close to home: Childcare. Champions of the bill, including Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, State Sen. Garlan Gudger, […]

The Alabama Community College System introduced three new programs designed to address employment, child care, and recidivism. Supported by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Youth Summer Employment Program, Child Care Training Program, and Transition to Employment Program were announced on Tuesday, April 23, at Trenholm State Community College. Each program will serve to […]

As the Working for Alabama legislative package moves through the legislature to address a range of workforce and economic development opportunities currently faced by the state, the Business Council of Alabama is rolling out a statewide campaign complete with digital advertising, billboards and video endorsements from leaders. The first video features a leader who has […]

This week, both chambers of the Alabama Legislature advanced bills to address a vulnerability in Alabama’s workforce and economy: Almost half of the state’s working-age individuals are neither employed nor seeking to participate in the workforce, reflected by one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the nation.  A seven-bill package entitled “Working for […]

A new state of the art sawmill is coming to Coosa County thanks to a recent $115 million investment from Demopolis based Two Rivers Lumber Company. The new operation in Kellyton will be the business' second location in Alabama and will reportedly create 130 jobs.

Alabama House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen addressed the Business Council of Alabama on Tuesday regarding the looming UAW threat to Alabama's "crown jewel" industry. During his remarks, Stadthagen drew on personal experience to illustrate the severity of the situation.

The business community is united in its belief that expanding access to quality affordable childcare is essential to alleviating some of the burden caused by the skilled labor shortage we experience today. Currently, parents in Alabama make up 35% of the workforce. We know that when parents have access to high-quality, affordable childcare, employers benefit […]

As Mayor of Mobile, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges Alabama faces in attracting and retaining a strong workforce. Local businesses are eager to expand, and others are interested in locating to Alabama. However, our state’s critical shortage of affordable housing often stands in the way. In the Mobile area alone, 6,362 new jobs are […]

The growing disagreement between Governor Kay Ivey and UAW President Shawn Fain reached new heights Tuesday when the union boss once again attacked the Governor during a rally in North Carolina.

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 […]

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, […]

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 of Alabama today. Ivey revealed that in 2023, companies from across the globe invested over $6.4 billion into the Yellowhammer State.