December 2021 Group Watch: Merry Christmas & Happy 2022 to You

It’s been a whirlwind year, and we at The Bloom Group are ready for a short slowdown to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones before we hop back into things come January. We hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year. Session begins almost as soon as 2022 begins, and we’re ready to monitor all the action and report to you. Watch for weekly editions of Group Watch, and as always, reach out to our team with any governmental relations needs. We are here to advocate for you.

November 2021 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

The second special legislative session ended earlier this month and succeeded in getting a good bit done.

Several major economic development wins for the state came to light this month too. Amazon delivered some great news, announcing three new facilities in three cities that mark major investment from the company.

UAB earned some top marks in an international ranking, and other state higher ed institutions scored too, with Governor Ivey announcing a wave of grant money soon to flow their way.

All combined, there’s plenty to be thankful for this month. And at The Bloom Group, we’re extremely grateful for our clients. Thank you for letting us represent you, and we hope you and your families have a Thanksgiving holiday filled with good food, fellowship and fun.

November 2021 Group Watch: Tweet of the Month

@egmackey Nov 17 Thank you teachers for all that you do — we sincerely appreciate your hard work and dedication to our students and our state! #ThankALTeachers Week is a way for Alabamians to show gratitude for our teachers. Learn more about#ThankALTeachers Week at http://weteachalabama.com.

November 2021 Group Watch: Results of Second 2021 Special Legislative Session

The Alabama Legislature adjourned its second special session after approving new district lines for state House and Senate seats, congressional seats and state school board posts. Following the U.S. census that is conducted every 10 years, states are required to reapportion districts based upon population changes and current demographic data, which prompted the governor to call the session. The special session call also included legislation authorizing $80 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to be distributed to Alabama hospitals and nursing homes. Many nursing homes and hospitals across the state, particularly in rural areas, are experiencing financial distress heightened by the pandemic. Though not in the call, the legislature also approved two bills designed to address presidential executive order mandates. One of the bills provides exemptions to COVID vaccination mandates for individuals with religious or medical objections, and the other allows the attorney general to seek injunctive relief from the courts as a remedy for violations.

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November 2021 Group Watch: Gov Ivey Awards $4.8 Million Grants

• University of Alabama in Huntsville: $603,206 to train students on advanced manufacturing processes.
• HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology: $968,365 for the development of better agriculture seed varieties.
• University of North Alabama: $10,353 to research the development of an ultra-sensitive biosensor aimed at improvements in the food and healthcare industries.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham: $700,000 for the development of a process to improve the effectiveness of a procedure used to assist amputees.
• Auburn University: $727,677 to research the production of certain jet and diesel fuels: $2,994,008 to research converting organic waste into bioplastics; $268,353 to research polymer smart machines; and $300,432 to develop expanded application of soybean hulls.
• University of Alabama: $341,679 to conduct research to improve building and transportation infrastructure.

November 2021 Group Watch: Jo Bonnor Named President of University of South Alabama

Jo Bonner, the former Alabama congressman who more recently has served as chief of staff to Governor Kay Ivey, will be the fourth president to lead the University of South Alabama. The Board of Trustees voted 11-2 in favor of Bonner’s selection at a special meeting. Bonner has decades of service to the state of Alabama in governmental and educational capacities. He was elected to congress in 2002, where he served on the influential House Appropriations Committee. From 2013-2018 Bonner served as vice chancellor for economic development at the University of Alabama System. During his final year with the university, he also served as interim director of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority. He assumed the role of chief of staff for the Ivey administration in 2019. According to the University of South Alabama, the board will formally introduce Bonner as president at its next regular board meeting on December 2.

November 2021 Group Watch: Rep. Patrice McClammy Sworn Into Father’s Seat

Representative Patrice McClammy was sworn in as representative for the Alabama Legislature’s House District 76 on November 17. The seat became vacant when her father, longtime state lawmaker Thad McClammy, passed away in August. McClammy said she’s ready to get right to work and called the day a “joyous occasion,” while also saying it made her think of her dad.

November 2021 Group Watch: Telemedicine Startup Establishing Headquarters in Birmingham

Florida-based telemedicine startup MomentMD is establishing a headquarters in Birmingham after receiving an investment from the Alabama Futures Fund (AFF), a seed-stage venture capital fund created to support entrepreneurial activity in the state. MomentMD has developed a comprehensive telemedicine platform designed to optimize personal healthcare, with an initial emphasis on serving uninsured and high-deductible health plan patients, as well as college students. The company also offers pet care through a network of veterinarians. Birmingham is believed to be a natural fit for the company because the city is home to one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, UAB, and a dynamic health startup community. The MomentMD platform will include access to participating healthcare specialists all over the nation, which allows patients to locate specialists with a particular expertise. Participating healthcare practitioners can order labs or issue prescriptions online through the MomentMD platform.

November 2021 Group Watch: Amazon Expands in AL

• Birmingham Delivery Station: This new station will employ approximately 150 people and create indirect job opportunities for hundreds of people through the empowerment of the Delivery Service Partner program.
• Huntsville XL Fulfilment Center: The XL Non -Sortable facility is designed to receive, store and package heavy or bulky items like home appliances. This facility will provide more than 250 full-time jobs and will utilize innovative technologies and energy-efficient, zero-emission power industrialized truck equipment.
• Montgomery Receive Center: In 2022, Amazon will open an Inbound Cross Dock facility that will receive and consolidate items from vendors and facilitate shipment to fulfillment centers.

November 2021 Group Watch: Gov Ivey Staff Updates

Governor Ivey has made additions and changes in her executive staff. She named two new deputy chiefs of staff, Brooks McClendon and Nathan Lindsay. She also added to finance director Bill Poole’s duties. He will serve as senior advisor in addition to his current role. These announcements come on the heels of Ivey appointing Liz Dowe Filmore to fill the chief of staff vacancy left by Jo Bonner, who is now the President of the University of South Alabama. Read more here.