July 2024 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

The heat of legislative politics has cooled off for summer, but it’s the only thing not burning up. The outside temps and the state’s business climate are high, with new companies coming to Alabama, existing companies continuing to expand and state government awarding grants to aid communities in adding the local business infrastructure they need to compete. 

The drama surrounding Alabama’s medical cannabis industry is also still a hot topic, with the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals giving the green light to a lawsuit challenging the licensing process. 

Find more details and info on other important #alpolitics news below.

July 2024 Group Watch: Post of the Month

July 2024 Group Watch: Alabama Medical Cannabis Lawsuit Gets “Go Ahead”

Alabama Always, one of the firms denied a license in three attempts, can now proceed with its lawsuit challenging Alabama’s medical cannabis licensing process, according to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The judges unanimously denied a request from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to overturn the Montgomery Circuit Court order. The commission first awarded licenses in June of last year, but scoring inconsistencies led the commission to void the awards and reevaluate the applications. A lawsuit alleging the commission violated the Open Meetings Act stalled the process again in August. That prompted the commission to rescind the awards again and negotiate with litigants. Although licenses for cultivators, processors and transporter have been issued, doctors can not recommend medical cannabis until dispensary licenses are issued.

July 2024 Group Watch: 3M Puts More Money in Decatur

3M’s work on its plant in Decatur now tops $35 million invested in two years after a building permit was issued last week for the facility off the Tennessee River. The newest project is a $10 million alteration at the plant, and is the site’s third project since 2022. The multiple capital upgrade projects at 3M’s two-million-square-foot Decatur site — originally built in 1961 — include upgrades to facility and utility infrastructure, safety improvements, ventilation system improvements and process upgrades. These investments contribute to the facility’s safe working environment while supporting its ability to serve its customers with the products the plant provides. Previous expansions included work on the plant’s wastewater treatment facility to help the company reach its goal of reducing water usage globally by 25 percent by 2030, and also to return higher quality water to the environment after it is used in manufacturing operations. The facility in Decatur’s industrial park employs 859 and produces two-thirds of the company’s products.

July 2024 Group Watch: Second Round of SEEDS Grants Available

Thanks to the new Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act, communities across Alabama can soon apply for state grants that could help them develop industrial sites capable of competing for high-impact economic development projects and the jobs that come with them. SEEDS has already been a success, with the first-round of grants steering $30 million into critically needed site development activities across the state and being matched by $38.4 million in local funds at 29 different Alabama industrial sites encompassing nearly 8,400 acres. The second round of SEEDS funding, also potentially totaling $30 million, is available for communities that meet the program’s criteria and are selected to receive grants from the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA). The application portal for SEEDS site assessment and site development grants opened on July 1 and closes on September 30. SIDA will evaluate the applications and announce results early next year.

July 2024 Group Watch: AL High-Speed Internet Access Growing Fast

In 2019, Alabama was ranked 47^th in the U.S. for broadband connectivity on BroadbandNow’s list. Fast forward to 2024, and the state ranks 24^th on that same list. The index of internet availability takes into account internet coverage, speed and availability in each individual state. While its an impressive improvement, the data accompanying the rankings showed that still, roughly 1 in 10 Alabamians are not able to purchase an internet plan of at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds. Additionally, almost 6 in 10 residents are not able to purchase broadband at a price of $60 a month or less. In Alabama, 85.4 percent of people have access to 100Mbps broadband, ranking 41^st among all states. The five counties with the highest rates of residents with access to broadband speeds of at least 100Mbps are in metropolitan areas, including Jefferson, Shelby, Madison, Montgomery and Lee. Perry County, the state’s least populous, has the lowest rate of access to high-speed broadband.

July 2024 Group Watch: Governor Awards Grants to Expand EV Charging in AL

Electric vehicles on Alabama’s interstates are about to receive a big boost thanks to $11.2 million in grant funding awarded by Governor Kay Ivey. The money has been divided into 14 individual grants. Thirteen will go towards installing electric vehicle charging stations at fueling locations found across Alabama’s interstate system. The remaining grant will be given to Bevill State Community College in Jasper to help train students on installation and the upkeep of electric chargers. Grant awards and project locations are Falkville off I-65; Gadsden near I-59; Hamilton adjacent to I-22; Jasper near I-22; Heflin adjacent to I-20; Tuscaloosa near I-20/59; Eutaw adjacent to I-20/59; Clanton near I-65; Montgomery adjacent to I-65; Evergreen near I-65; Atmore near I-65; and Irvington near I-10.

July 2024 Group Watch: Gov Ivey Touts AL Manufacturers on “Made in USA Day”

On July’s “Made in the USA Day,” Governor Ivey praised Alabama’s robust manufacturing sector and highlighted its role in driving economic growth statewide through high-quality jobs and products in demand worldwide. Ivey emphasized Alabama’s status as a powerhouse in U.S. manufacturing, ranking in the top five states for manufacturing job concentration. With over 270,000 people employed at more than 4,000 enterprises, Alabama’s manufacturing landscape is both diverse and dynamic. The sector contributes approximately 17 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product, with an economic output exceeding $40 billion annually. The Ivey administration continues to prioritize initiatives that support and expand the manufacturing sector, including workforce development programs, investment in infrastructure and fostering a pro-business climate. These efforts have resulted in significant job creation and economic development the state.

June 2024 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

While gambling legislation failed to make it through the 2024 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, those in favor of putting the issue to a statewide vote may get another bite at that apple. RSA’s Dr. Bronner says a special session on the topic is in order.

Despite licensing delays, Alabama’s medical cannabis industry is still growing, with the first legal medical cannabis crop soon to be ready for harvest. And, speaking of growing, amid positive economic development announcements, the state’s Innovate Alabama initiative just launched SEEK AL, a campaign highlighting and promoting the state’s diverse outdoor recreation opportunities, all in an effort to recruit more businesses and entrepreneurs to Alabama.

Find more details and info on other important #alpolitics news below.

June 2024 Group Watch: RSA’s Bronner Calls for Gambling Special Session 

Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner said he would like to see Gov. Kay Ivey call a special session to try again to pass a proposed constitutional amendment on gambling that failed by one vote during the annual session that ended in May. Bronner said he is concerned that leaner times are coming, and the state will need revenue to sustain progress in education and other areas. Bronner said the revenue from a gambling package could help offset tax cuts passed the last couple of years and the cost of a new school choice program, the CHOOSE Act, which will allow parents to use $7,000 in tax dollars to pay for private school, money that would otherwise support public education. Bronner said that could be a problem in a state that already lags behind other states in school funding. Lawmakers spent more than a year developing a plan for a lottery, casinos and sports betting that in its initial form would have generated more than $900 million a year in net revenue for the state. The House passed the plan, then later passed a compromise version with no sports betting. The compromise plan fell one vote short in the Senate. Approval is required to put it on the ballot for voters, who have the final say. Governor Ivey has advocated for a statewide vote on the gambling issue, including during her state of the State of the State address in February. She supported the plan that passed the House during this regular session.