AGP Executive Report

Energy Costs & Equity in Alabama: A Sierra Club dashboard shows low-income Alabama households pay far more of their income toward utilities than the national average, with the tool mapping energy burden alongside health impacts and redlining history. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate is weighing the Protect College Sports Act, with Alabama’s Nick Saban among witnesses urging limits on transfers and eligibility to “bring order” to athletics. Workforce & Training: Alabama’s Academy of Craft Training Central Alabama is targeting an Aug. 10 opening, building hands-on pathways in construction, plumbing, HVAC and welding as local demand rises alongside data center growth. Local Infrastructure: ALDOT plans major weekend closures on U.S. 280 for the Pump House Road bridge project, adding capacity with a center turn lane and sidewalk. University Leadership: UA named retired Maj. Gen. Parker H. Wright as the inaugural dean of its new School of Leadership and Policy, starting Aug. 1. Small Business Relief: SBA announced low-interest disaster loans for drought-impacted small businesses and private nonprofits across Georgia and parts of Alabama. Energy Market Watch: GasBuddy reports the week ending May 30 saw Clarke County’s lowest regular at $4.07, while Shelby County’s lowest premium hit $4.35 and Butler County’s lowest diesel reached $4.99.

Workforce & Training: Alabama’s Academy of Craft Training Central Alabama is targeting an Aug. 10 opening for a new North Montgomery campus, feeding students from five counties into hands-on pathways in construction, plumbing, HVAC and welding—aimed at filling gaps as data centers and other major projects expand. Construction & Resilience: Super Roofers is rolling out Alabama FORTIFIED roof certification for Mobile and Baldwin homeowners, positioning wind-resistant upgrades as a way to manage both storm risk and rising insurance costs. Health & Biotech: New Phase 2 data on petrelintide—an amylin-based, once-weekly obesity drug—shows up to double-digit weight loss by week 42 with fewer GI issues than many GLP-1s, with Phase 3 planned for later in 2026. Energy & Infrastructure: Gadsden received a $690,000 Innovate Alabama grant to fund engineering and design for a pedestrian bridge over the Coosa River, part of a broader riverfront connectivity push. Local Business & Growth: Austal USA added senior leaders across surface ship and submarine programs, signaling continued momentum in Alabama’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. Economy Watch: An AP analysis says inflation is squeezing budgets nationwide, including Alabama, driven by higher gas, shipping and other cost pressures.

USDA Grants for Alabama Meat Processors: Alabama agriculture officials are urging eligible meat processors to apply for the USDA Rural Development Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP 4), offering $60M nationwide to expand beef processing capacity; Alabama’s application window runs through Aug. 7, 2026. Energy & Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel prices easing in Alabama—Clarke County’s low hit $5.29 (week ending May 30) and Lee County’s low was $4.49—while premium and regular prices also shifted across counties. Alabama Construction Impact: A new ABC of Alabama study says commercial construction drives more than $20B in economic activity statewide, supporting 223,000+ jobs and $13.5B in earnings. Defense & Advanced Manufacturing: PDW Holdings agreed to acquire Pittsford-based Vanteon Wireless Solutions to boost communications and software-defined radio capabilities for military drones, aligning with Alabama’s growing defense-tech footprint. Workforce & Infrastructure: The Alabama Public Service Commission will hold a natural gas rate case for Spire Alabama/Gulf, the first in decades, after rate negotiations stalled. Local Industry Development: Auburn’s economy gets another lift with a new auto supplier investment bringing 50 jobs and $9.2M. Missing Auburn Student Update (Japan): Kyoto police say it’s highly probable Weston Higginbotham left intentionally after a dispute over ChatGPT, but the search continues amid heavy rains.

College Sports Policy: A Senate hearing on the Protect College Sports Act featured major testimony from Nick Saban, Pac-12’s Teresa Gould, Notre Dame’s Pete Bevacqua and others, warning the system is broken and pushing to protect women’s and Olympic programs. Alabama Workforce & Manufacturing: Kamtec Auto USA plans a $9.2M Auburn facility and about 50 jobs to make hybrid-vehicle engine control and electric management components. Construction & Infrastructure: ALDOT is in the final stretch of a two-mile I-59/20 resurfacing in Fairfield, with brief striping disruptions, while a wider project is set for later. Housing Compliance: Alabama’s Home Builders Licensure Board is cracking down on unlicensed home builders and unlicensed advertising, warning consumers to verify license numbers. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas in Winston County at $3.89 (week ending May 30), with Alabama’s average regular price around $4.02. Public Health Watch: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners warns doctors to avoid non-FDA-approved peptides amid rising social-media demand. Local Economy & Growth: Barberitos earned Fast Casual’s Movers & Shakers nod, citing a Southeast footprint plus a pipeline that includes new Birmingham and Tuscaloosa openings. Tourism: Colbert County’s tourism economy topped $122M in 2025, supporting more than 1,000 direct jobs.

Corrections & Health Care: NaphCare pushed back on recent coverage of its Alabama Department of Corrections healthcare work, saying it’s built to handle the tough realities of inmate medicine. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel and regular gas deals vary sharply across Alabama counties in the week ending May 30, with the lowest regular in Hale County at $3.99 and diesel lows as low as $4.49 in Shelby County. Housing Stability: A new look at court eviction practices highlights how landlord-tenant cases can destabilize families even when evictions don’t end in moves. IVF Legal Risk: Lawsuits challenging embryo disposal could complicate IVF in states including Alabama, where fetal personhood and wrongful-death claims may collide. Rare Earths & Mining: REalloys signed a Letter of Intent with Patriot Exploration & Mining to pursue priority access to rare earth production tied to magnet metals. Economic Development: Foley secured nearly $3.33M in SEEDS funding for a new 121-acre industrial site. Defense & Industry: Lockheed Martin is expanding next-generation interceptor production in Alabama, reinforcing the state’s defense manufacturing momentum. Medical Cannabis: Alabama’s first medical cannabis store opened in Montgomery, with patients buying approved products after years of delays. Local STEM: Foothill students won a national Lockheed Martin Mars Challenge for a power concept aimed at a sustainable human presence on Mars.

Defense & Manufacturing: Anniston Army Depot marked completion of a $44M combat vehicle welding facility, part of Organic Industrial Base modernization to keep production ready in Alabama. Space & Engineering: UAH won NASA’s 2026 Student Launch competition, with Auburn also placing, highlighting Huntsville’s growing aerospace talent pipeline. College Sports Policy: Former Alabama coach Nick Saban testified in Congress urging a national framework for NIL and the transfer portal, warning the current system is pushing schools toward a pro model. Utilities & Infrastructure: Phenix City is moving to a $7.5M Advanced Metering Infrastructure upgrade, replacing aging water meters with AMI for better data and lower operating costs. Public Safety Tech: Washington National Guard showcased counter-drone training and partnerships, signaling how unmanned threats are shaping readiness programs. Healthcare Access: Alabama’s first medical cannabis dispensary opened in Montgomery, with the first patient receiving treatment for MS. Workforce Transition: Appalachian Regional Commission awarded Accelerate MS a $100K POWER grant to connect coal communities to advanced manufacturing careers. Local Economy: Riverchase Galleria in Hoover was listed for sale after 40 years, a major retail real-estate moment for the Birmingham metro.

Energy Infrastructure: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is expanding its Lowman Energy Center in Leroy, adding a second advanced-class gas turbine from Mitsubishi Power (M501JAC) with EPC services by Burns & McDonnell—aimed at meeting rising demand tied to reshoring, electrification and AI. Defense Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin opened an 88,000-sq-ft Next-Generation Interceptor production facility in Courtland, Alabama, as it gears up for a key design review and all-up-round test for the Missile Defense Agency program. Transportation Planning: A $5M federal earmark was secured for engineering and environmental studies for the Haleyville bypass/Interstate 22 connector, with studies expected to take about a year. Broadband Buildout: Kinetic surpassed 2 million fiber premises passed across its 18-state footprint, highlighting continued rural and suburban fiber expansion. Public Works & Local Government: Jackson County appointed Margaret Turner as county administrator and discussed vehicle maintenance budget needs during recent meetings. Agriculture Politics: Alabama’s agriculture commissioner runoff remains volatile, with a new poll showing Corey Hill leading Christina Woerner McInnis but with nearly 40% undecided ahead of the June 16 runoff. Workforce/Economic Development: DeKalb County adopted “Elevate DeKalb,” a countywide strategy to guide growth, workforce readiness and industry development. Health & Safety: FDA and CDC reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa leaf powder supplements after additional illnesses were reported, prompting fresh consumer warnings.

Workforce & Retail Growth: Huntsville’s unemployment held at a very low 2.1% in April, reinforcing the North Alabama job-market momentum tied to aerospace, defense, tech, manufacturing, healthcare, and research. Construction Training: Mobile City Council is weighing a $20 building-permit fee to fund the South Alabama Homebuilding Academy, aiming to boost home-construction skills and place trainees into jobs. Forestry Risk: Auburn researchers warn brown spot needle blight is spreading across Alabama pine forests, with cases reported in 58 of 67 counties and a major threat to loblolly pine. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA/CDC reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa leaf powder supplements after additional illnesses, bringing totals to 119 sick across 36 states. Local Industry Spotlight: Autauga Farming Company earned a national Beef Improvement Federation Commercial Producer of the Year award. Defense & Research: Alabama A&M hosted U.S. Space Command officials, highlighting AI/ML sensing research as SPACECOM builds its Redstone Arsenal presence. Community & Infrastructure: Fort Payne leaders discussed how to regulate future data centers and large energy projects.

Defense Manufacturing: L3Harris is investing $25M to expand solid rocket motor production in Huntsville, adding 130,000 sq. ft. and hiring for engineering, manufacturing, and skilled trades. Missile Defense Buildout: Lockheed Martin opened a new Next Generation Interceptor facility in Courtland, with an 88,000-sq.-ft. missile assembly building aimed at higher production efficiency. Shipyard & Construction: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic awarded a $156.1M contract to BL Harbert International for recruit training barracks at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, with work through 2030. Energy & Utilities Governance: Alabama GOP leaders recommended candidates for Ivey’s expanded Public Service Commission, now growing from 3 to 7 members. Cybersecurity for Finance: BIO-key partnered with BlueAlly to deploy phishing-resistant biometric access for AOD Federal Credit Union. Workforce & Growth Funding: Alabama’s new Development Fund launches June 1, targeting faster site readiness to win jobs, especially for rural communities. Healthcare Fraud Watch: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week runs June 1–5, with Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol urging beneficiaries and caregivers to spot scams. HVAC Distribution Deal: Watsco closed its acquisition of Jackson Supply, expanding contractor reach across Alabama and the Sunbelt.

Defense & Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin cut the ribbon on an 88,000-square-foot Next Generation Interceptor facility in Courtland, aiming to boost missile-defense production and grow its Lawrence County workforce. Energy & Infrastructure Policy: A new Alabama Public Service Commission overhaul takes effect, expanding the regulator from 3 to 7 members and creating a Secretary of Energy role, with a lawsuit still in play. Data Centers & Power Costs: Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Phillip Ensler is calling for a data center construction moratorium, arguing for more transparency and public input as projects raise concerns about energy, water, and environmental impacts. Workforce & Jobs: A national nonprofit honored Jim Click Automotive for expanding disability employment opportunities through the AbilityOne program. Local Governance & Community: Carroll County schools named new principals for Temple Middle and the College & Career Academy South Campus. Retail Restructuring: Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 and plans to close multiple stores, including an Alabama location, as it streamlines luxury retail and digital operations.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Pencco opened a new $20M manufacturing facility in Gadsden, aiming to expand water/wastewater and corrosion-control production and create 40 jobs. Industrial Services: ISG is buying R.E. Warner & Associates, a 75-year engineering and consulting firm with a Birmingham presence, to deepen power and industrial expertise. Retail Development: Irondale is set to land Alabama’s sixth Costco with a $100M+ project expected to bring 200+ jobs. Energy Costs: A new map shows residential electricity prices jumped sharply in parts of the U.S., with Maryland up 89% year over year and grid investment/demand pressures cited. Workforce & Skills: A Washtenaw Community College student won a spot to represent the U.S. in welding at WorldSkills after qualifying through trials held in Huntsville, highlighting Alabama’s skilled-trades pipeline. Healthcare Compliance: Alabama’s medical board warned providers not to prescribe “research-grade” peptides, stressing FDA approval and safety oversight. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Uniti Group announced a major fiber-network notes offering tied to assets including Alabama, signaling continued connectivity investment.

Retail Expansion in Alabama: Irondale is set for its sixth Costco store, a $100M+ project at Grants Mill Rd. and I-459 expected to create 200+ jobs, though some residents question whether the location is right. Defense & Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin won a $879M order tied to keeping F-35 jets armed and ready, with armament work planned in Fort Worth through 2030. Space & Tech Jobs: NASA’s Moon Base plans put Huntsville and Blue Origin in the spotlight as the agency lays out robotic lunar infrastructure missions. Healthcare Tech: Signos raised $20M to expand continuous glucose monitoring beyond diabetes into weight-loss and lifestyle coaching. Public Safety Infrastructure: Foley is moving toward a new fourth fire station on the north side, aiming to finalize design this year and start construction next. Local Governance & Infrastructure: ALDOT plans an overnight northbound I-65 closure near Lacon in Morgan County for bridge deck repairs, with detours for passenger and commercial traffic. Energy & Cultural Consultation: The Poarch Creek Indians say they’re engaging on proposed solar projects in Baldwin and Escambia Counties and want cultural and historical considerations included. Workforce & Education: Alabama’s teacher pay push continues, with Gov. Kay Ivey highlighting pay raises, stipends, and paid parental leave for educators. Sports Recruiting: Nigel Newkirk committed to Alabama, shutting down his recruitment after an official visit. STEM/Leadership: A JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge is underway for 265 cadets across Georgia and Alabama, with robotics, drones, and medical training tracks.

Energy & Housing Relief: Alabama homeowners are scrambling after the Trump EPA canceled grants meant to cut utility bills, leaving families facing higher summer cooling costs and more shutoffs. Severe Weather Watch: The National Weather Service says scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible through Monday, with damaging winds up to 60 mph and large hail possible. Hospitality & State Parks: Alabama State Parks is partnering with Guest Services Inc. under a 10-year concession to run lodging and hospitality at Lake Guntersville and Cheaha State Park, including Bald Rock Lodge. Auto Manufacturing Policy Risk: A new House bill targeting foreign-adversary ownership could effectively block Mercedes-Benz from selling or producing vehicles in the U.S., putting Alabama jobs tied to its Tuscaloosa plant at risk. Local Public Safety Growth: Foley is moving ahead with plans for a new Fire Station No. 4, seeking design firms after a donated parcel on East Fern Avenue. AI & Data Privacy: A multistate legal push is raising concerns about financial data privacy, while another debate spotlights how AI-driven data collection can reach students through classroom tech. Alabama Industry Events: Sloss Tech returns to Birmingham June 24-26, bringing 1,400+ founders and industry leaders for hands-on tech and networking.

Defense & Manufacturing: GDELS and KNDS are teaming up to build a wheeled 155mm NATO howitzer by combining the PIRANHA 10x10 carrier with the AGM gun module—another sign Alabama’s defense supply chain keeps expanding. Auto & Industrial Jobs: Korea-based DUCK IL USA plans about a $21M Auburn expansion, adding a clean-room PCB manufacturing process and 21 jobs. Local Economic Development: Cullman approved a tax abatement for “Project Panel,” a $5.3M investment expected to add 18 jobs in phase one and 75–100 later. Public Safety Infrastructure: Foley is moving toward a fourth fire station, with design in 2026 and construction targeted for 2027. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Alabama confirmed an invasive Asian longhorned tick in DeKalb County, urging pet owners to use tick prevention and watch for unusual bites. Energy & Data Centers: A new look at how states are responding to data center growth highlights Alabama’s push to make large facilities cover added grid costs. STEM & Workforce: Birmingham engineering students were recognized by the Links and Society of Women Engineers, while Auburn-area nonprofit staffer Jade Kennedy earned Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year.

Defense & Drones: The U.S. Army and industry partners tested the TRV-150 cargo drone armed with a three-shot APKWS rocket launcher at Fort Rucker, pointing to more precision strike capability at battalion level. AI & Data Centers: Oxmoor Valley residents expanded their lawsuit over the Nebius AI “factory,” alleging a rapid land-flip scheme to inflate the Milan Parkway site’s cost and challenging how Birmingham handled permits. Energy & Power: Alabama’s TVA is defending its ability to keep electricity affordable as data centers drive demand, with TVA emphasizing its nuclear-heavy generation mix. State Parks & Hospitality: Alabama State Parks signed a 10-year lodging and hospitality concession with Guest Services Inc. for Lake Guntersville and Cheaha, including operations and food service. Agriculture & Trade: USDA rolled out the Great American Cotton Plan to boost domestic textile demand and protect cotton growers, while Alabama reported $23.7B in exports in 2025 across 190 countries. Infrastructure & Construction: ALDOT is tracking a major slate of central Alabama road projects, including I-59 and Highway 280 widening/resurfacing, plus Homewood’s diverging diamond work. Public Health: UAB researchers published findings in Nature showing pregnant women have worse cardiovascular health than non-pregnant peers, driven by activity, cholesterol, and BMI gaps. Local Economy: Alabama construction jobs hit an 18-year high with record wages, signaling continued momentum in building and trades.

Data Centers & Water Stress: A new map flags AI data center construction moving into drought-hit areas, raising fresh questions about water use as more than 5,000 facilities expand nationwide. AI Policy in Alabama: Alabama lawmakers heard experts say AI rules for children should start with clear definitions, warning against blanket bans while weighing real classroom and homework impacts. Construction & Labor Scrutiny: Reuters reports Italian authorities investigating Caddell Construction’s Milan consulate project over alleged worker exploitation, including underpaid shifts and safety gaps. Energy & Grid Watch: Alabama’s shrimping season kicks off June 1 in state waters, while AAA says gas prices are falling nationally—good news for summer travel budgets. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Alabama construction jobs hit an 18-year high with record wages, and Alabama Power rolled out a new online tool to track summer energy use. Workforce & Education: Gov. Kay Ivey argues strong teachers drive a strong Alabama, citing pay increases and paid parental leave for educators. Food & Agriculture: Sylacauga’s Farmers Market opens for the season Friday, supporting local growers and cottage producers.