AGP Executive Report

Medical Cannabis Licensing: A Russellville-based applicant says it’s optimistic Alabama approval could come in 2027 after years of stalled licensing and court-ordered restarts. Workforce & Immigration: Alabama employers in Educational Services filed 400 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 97.3% approval rate, led by UAB and Auburn. Energy & Infrastructure: State and federal leaders broke ground on Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project Phase 1, a $3.2B, six-lane effort expected to take about five years. Transportation & Growth: Birmingham Northern Beltline’s first 1.88-mile stretch opened, with ALDOT moving to the next eight miles toward U.S. 31. Agriculture & Food: Gov. Ivey proclaimed October as Beef Month in Alabama, highlighting statewide promotions and youth programs. Public Health & Safety: Venison Provisions asks hunters to “Donate a Doe” to help feed Alabama families, while a Gatorade recall expanded to multiple states due to undeclared colorings. Community & Industry Talent: A young farmers placement spotlighted new doors in Alabama’s agri sector, from poultry genetics to production careers.

Mobile River Bridge: Alabama and U.S. officials broke ground on the $3.2B Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, with Trump suggesting the span could carry his name—aimed at easing heavy I-10 congestion and improving truck access. Defense & Manufacturing: A production agreement between Sikorsky and the U.S. Army targets faster fielding of Black Hawk helicopters, with Alabama tied to THAAD missile assembly and supplier ramp-ups. Workforce & Corrections: J.F. Ingram State Technical College opened a Perry County PREP Center training facility for welding, electrical, carpentry, and heavy equipment, pairing credentials with reentry job pathways. Energy & Fuel Costs: The national gas average fell nearly 7 cents to about $4.41, while G7 countries agreed to release diesel and oil reserves after U.S. pressure—moves tied to ongoing price pressure for farmers and truckers. Food Safety: FDA expanded a frozen berry recall (Walmart/Trader Joe’s brands) over possible E. coli contamination, including distribution to Alabama. Drought Watch: U.S. Drought Monitor data shows nearly all of Perry County in severe drought, with statewide dryness worsening. Campus Safety: Three University of South Alabama students were arrested on federal charges for alleged social-media threats ahead of Trump’s Mobile rally.

Fuel & Energy Policy: G7 nations agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and oil from emergency reserves after U.S. pressure, with diesel releases starting quickly—aimed at cooling surging fuel prices ahead of November. Drought & Agriculture: Alabama’s Perry County is nearly all in severe drought, with Hale County also hit hard, as heat and dry conditions persist. Workforce & Corrections: Ingram State Technical College and the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles opened a new Perry County workforce training facility for reentry, offering hands-on trades training and industry credentials. Major Infrastructure: Mobile broke ground on the $3.2B Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, a major I-10 crossing meant to cut long-running congestion. Public Safety & Local Industry: Opelika is investigating a sewer leak after dead fish appeared in Halawakee Creek. Defense Manufacturing: Sikorsky and the U.S. Army reached a flexible production agreement to accelerate Black Hawk helicopter buys and sustain the industrial base. Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded a frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak that sickened 17 people. Education & Security: Three University of South Alabama students were arrested on federal charges for alleged social media threats ahead of Trump’s Mobile rally.

Diesel & Iran Pressure: Trump said Iran is “not in good shape” and argued Americans should “endure” high fuel prices as the Iran war drags on, while the G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of diesel and crude from emergency reserves—helping cool the threat of a U.S. diesel export ban. Mobile River Bridge: After nearly 30 years, officials broke ground on Alabama’s $3.2B Mobile River Bridge and Bayway, the state’s biggest transportation project, with Trump using the moment to tout federal funding and even float naming rights. Fuel Pain for Truckers: Diesel costs are crushing owner-operators, with some drivers facing $1,000 fill-ups and delaying trips as they try to “hang on.” Alabama Business Climate: Alabama moved up to No. 7 in Area Development’s 2026 Top States for Doing Business, scoring top marks in cost of doing business, property tax environment, and labor cost competitiveness. Local Growth & Planning: Cordova approved rezoning for industrial growth and set up voluntary fire donations via water bills; Bartow County’s planning panel recommended denial of a large Hwy. 113 residential development near the Hyundai-SK battery area. Workforce & Inclusion: A guest commentary highlighted disability employment as a talent strategy for Alabama employers.

Major Infrastructure: Alabama broke ground on the $3.2B Mobile River Bridge and Bayway (I-10), a six-lane cable-stayed crossing expected to open in late 2031 after a five-year build. Workforce & Training: ACCS and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association opened $400,000 in scholarships for in-state students in automotive manufacturing programs, up to $4,000 per student. Local Roads & Safety: ALDOT switched left turns at the Pinson intersection to protected-only after years of crash complaints, including a spike in 2025. Public Health & Environment: ABC Coke’s expired air permit fight moved forward after a lawsuit pushed Jefferson County regulators to act on renewing the facility’s Title V permit. Healthcare Costs: Alabama’s Department of Insurance approved 2027 ACA individual-market premium rates, with average increases ranging from about 11% to nearly 34% by carrier. Community & Business: The Alabama National Fair returns to Montgomery Oct. 8–18 with new foods and lower ticket prices, while Babas expanded in Charleston with a bigger King Street location. Energy & Industry Watch: A federal judge ruled Century Surety doesn’t have to defend/indemnify a smoke shop in a vape battery injury case tied to an off-site incident.

Applied Digital Data Center in Brookwood: The company says its $3.2B AI data center campus is effectively set, pending a Brookwood council resolution tied to the Tuscaloosa County EDC approval, with officials pointing to power infrastructure and promising construction jobs and community benefits. Power & Courts: Alabama Power has appealed a Shelby County judge’s order blocking entry onto a Calera man’s property for a proposed 74-mile transmission line, arguing the injunction improperly limits constitutionally protected condemnation rights. Rail Disruptions Across Alabama: Norfolk Southern derailments triggered traffic control and evacuations in Maplesville (Chilton County) and Springville (St. Clair County); officials reported no hazardous materials and later lifted evacuation orders. Hyundai Manufacturing Momentum: Hyundai unveiled the all-new 2027 Tucson, built in Montgomery, highlighting record sales and continued production plans that keep Alabama’s auto supply chain humming. Alabama’s New Laws Oct. 1: Lawmakers passed hundreds of bills, and more than 150 new measures take effect Oct. 1, including major changes to child sex-crime laws and expanded biometric background-check rules. Fuel Cost Pressure: Alabama’s broader energy-cost debate continues as states move to ease diesel and gas burdens, with attention on how relief policies could affect local trucking and farm operations.

Fuel Relief & Logistics: States are moving to curb soaring diesel and gasoline costs tied to the Iran war, including Alabama halting enforcement of red-dyed diesel restrictions for 120 days, while other states add gas tax holidays or temporary rules for farmers and haulers. Construction & Infrastructure: ALDOT says Interstate 85 widening in Montgomery starts Monday, adding a third lane each direction and bringing bridge replacements and interchange changes. Manufacturing & Defense Supply Chains: The SBA announced $18M in non-dilutive awards to critical suppliers, including Alabama Shipyard, to expand capacity for defense, aerospace, and advanced materials. Workforce Visas (H-2B): USCIS data show Alabama approved 1,603 H-2B workers for Administrative/Support and Waste Management roles in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 100% approval rate. Agriculture: Alabama’s catfish industry gets a federal boost via Sen. Katie Britt’s Cormorant Relief Act aimed at reducing predatory bird losses. Public Safety: Alabama and ALEA are warning shoppers about unlabeled kratom products found in gas stations and vape shops. Trade & Industry: Alabama’s congressional delegation renews pressure on Mexico over the Vulcan Materials dispute, citing impacts on U.S. infrastructure and Gulf/Atlantic supply needs.

Manufacturing & Energy: Hyundai says it will invest $500 million in Alabama to build the Tucson Hybrid and later an extended-range electric Santa Fe, aiming to cut tariff exposure and grow U.S. hybrid output. Infrastructure: The first phase of Birmingham’s Northern Beltline opened to traffic, creating a new four-lane corridor between SR-79 and SR-75 and setting up the next stretch. Local Development & Cleanup: Saraland won a $2.6 million EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant to address contamination tied to a planned 100-acre sports and recreation complex. Tech & Power Costs: A new Alabama data center law takes effect Oct. 1, with residents pushing for clarity on how contracts could affect utility bills. Public Safety & Health Tech: Tanner Health rolled out an AI ECG platform across west Georgia and east Alabama for faster heart-attack assessment. Policy & Consumer Protection: Alabama’s AG announced a landmark TikTok settlement requiring at least $100 million for the state and new teen safety limits. Business Climate: Alabama’s Rebuild Alabama grants continue funding road resurfacing, including Walker County projects. Energy Markets: Fuel prices stayed volatile, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest midgrade and premium deals across multiple counties.

Skilled Trades Jobs: Alabama ranked No. 6 nationally for skilled trades employment growth, adding 11.3% from 2019-2025 and reaching 366,240 workers, outpacing Texas, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Business Climate: Alabama also moved up to No. 7 in Area Development’s 2026 “Top States for Doing Business,” including No. 1 marks for property tax environment, overall cost, and labor cost competitiveness. Transportation & Growth: The first 1.88-mile segment of the Birmingham Northern Beltline opened to traffic in Jefferson County, a key step toward the future I-422 corridor. Workforce & Training: America Makes is launching a “3D Printing for Drones” initiative for high school students, with Alabama included among participating states. Public Safety (Kratom): Gov. Ivey and ALEA warned consumers that kratom products are illegal in Alabama and may be disguised as drinks or shots. Health Care Refunds: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million people in 30 states, including Alabama, for alleged excess exchange user fees. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, aiming to reshape NIL rules, transfers, and antitrust protections. Immigration (H-1B): Alabama employers filed 2 H-1B petitions in 2025 under Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, with both approved.

Auto & Manufacturing: Hyundai says it will invest about $500M in Alabama to bring Tucson Hybrid production to Montgomery and expand engines, hybrid parts, and an extended-range EV powertrain—aimed at reducing tariff exposure and boosting North American output. Transportation Infrastructure: Gov. Kay Ivey authorized construction of the $3.2B Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, with a groundbreaking set for Oct. 2. Local Planning: Birmingham City Council approved nearly $700K to plan eight walkable “urban villages,” building on the city’s historic neighborhood centers. Workforce & Industry Training: The Manufacturing Institute and Alabama Community College System launched statewide AI training for manufacturing, starting with no-cost courses for factory-floor skills. Healthcare Policy: CMS will expand its Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Review demonstration to all IRFs billing in the Alabama/Georgia/Tennessee jurisdiction, with choices due by Nov. 13 and the demo starting Dec. 14. Consumer & Data Privacy: Alabama’s TikTok settlement adds teen-safety limits, but critics are raising concerns about what data is collected and how it’s handled. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain volatile across Alabama, with multiple counties reporting midgrade and premium lows in the week ending Sept. 19.

Transportation & Growth: Alabama’s Birmingham Northern Beltline took a major step forward Tuesday, with the first 1.88-mile segment opening to traffic between Bradford and Palmerdale, setting up the next push toward US-31 in Gardendale and future phases that could boost jobs and emergency response times. Workforce & Training: The Manufacturing Institute and the Alabama Community College System launched a new AI Skills for Manufacturing Training partnership, rolling out the program through Calhoun and 23 other Alabama colleges. Energy & Agriculture Costs: Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson urged an economic emergency to cut fuel costs, including suspending the state fuel tax and expanding off-road diesel options for farmers and loggers. Tech & Consumer Protection: Alabama’s TikTok settlement is now in place, requiring teen safety limits like nighttime restrictions and a default nonpersonalized feed, with Alabama set to receive at least $100 million. Infrastructure Funding: ALDOT cleared the way for construction to begin on the initial phase of Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project after a $2.52B TIFIA loan notice to proceed. Local Business & Tourism: Red Bay Museum earned North Alabama’s Lasting Impression Award, highlighting the region’s tourism momentum.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act (77-22), aiming to rein in NIL and transfer “chaos” with a limited NCAA antitrust exemption and a national standard—next stop is the House. Labor & Construction: Alabama-based Caddell Construction agreed to a nearly $35M settlement tied to alleged worker exploitation at the U.S. consulate project in Milan, with about 300 workers set to share in back pay and damages. Fuel Prices & Regulation: The White House is weighing broader sales of red-dyed diesel to ease soaring costs, as states also move to cut taxes or adjust fuel rules. Energy Infrastructure: Kinder Morgan’s planned Southeast Connector natural gas pipeline would cross western DeKalb County, with studies and land work underway and service targeted for 2029. Alabama Agriculture Politics: Former AG Troy King endorsed Democrat Ron Sparks for Alabama agriculture commissioner, arguing for stronger oversight of gas pump inspections and help for farmers facing rising costs. Tech & Power Costs: Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s ratepayer protections for data centers face pushback, with reports that Schumer is trying to kill the measure. Local Growth & Community: Guntersville’s mayor highlighted managing growth responsibly in her State of the City remarks.

Data Privacy & Enforcement: Alabama AG Steve Marshall announced a settlement with TikTok over teen safety and age verification, requiring at least $100M to the state within 45 days, with added teen limits (including a two-hour daily cap and “productive pauses”), stronger age checks, and a ban on cosmetic filters. Healthcare & Compliance: A multistate coalition of 44 attorneys general reached a settlement tied to a 2019 Labcorp data breach affecting 27.5M people across 44 states, with injunctive relief focused on vendor security oversight and internal reporting. Construction & Local Growth: Homewood’s Aloft Hotel is getting $3.8M in renovations after a new $1M+ building permit wave across Alabama, including major metro projects. Business Expansion: Auburn-based Frazier & Deeter is expanding in the Southeast via acquisition of Machen McChesney and FocusPay Solutions, adding payroll and broader back-office services. Banking & Tech: Valley Bank agreed to buy Bluevine for about $340M, boosting its digital small-business deposits and AI-driven platform. Energy & Agriculture: Gov. Kay Ivey ordered a 120-day halt on dyed diesel enforcement to ease costs for Alabama farmers and timber operators. STEM & Workforce: McWane is pushing STEM into classrooms statewide through its “On the Move” program, bringing hands-on learning to all 67 counties.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a $100M-plus deal with TikTok/ByteDance, ending a teen-safety trial before it began and requiring tighter age checks, a two-hour daily cap, “productive pauses,” overnight limits, and restrictions on teen notifications and cosmetic filters. Manufacturing Expansion: GE Appliances (Haier) will invest $1B to expand Appliance Park in Louisville, bringing dryer production back from Mexico and protecting about 4,700 jobs during the transition. Pharma Investment: Eli Lilly broke ground on a $6.5B Houston manufacturing site to expand domestic API and small-molecule production, including its GLP-1 medicine Foundayo. Construction & Materials: Construction Partners (ROAD) completed its Florida asphalt acquisition, adding a Pensacola-area plant and crews that could improve scheduling and reduce hauling for Alabama and the Southeast. Workforce & Education: Troy University is pushing engineering engagement with a new club and leadership programs, while UA highlights cybersecurity’s growing role across campus. Policy & Labor: Alabama approved 4,039 H-2B worker requests in fiscal 2026 through June 30, with a 99.8% approval rate. Local Business/Community: Factory Connection marked 50 years in Guntersville, celebrating growth to 230 stores across 16 states. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Alabama fuel prices easing in late September, with county-by-county lows for regular, midgrade, diesel, and premium.

Alabama Tech & Regulation: Alabama reached a settlement with TikTok and ByteDance over teen safety and age-verification claims, requiring new usage limits (including a two-hour daily cap and pauses after 15 minutes) plus stricter age checks, avoiding a scheduled trial. Construction & Labor: Alabama-based Caddell Construction agreed to pay about €30.9M in a Milan probe tied to alleged worker exploitation at the U.S. consulate site, including payments for overtime, lodging reimbursements, and damages, without admitting liability. Workforce & Education: Troy opened applications for its IMPACT Leader program, aimed at incoming students and focused on leadership, belonging, and campus engagement. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular gas in Tuscaloosa County at $3.67 (week ending Sept. 19), with other county spotlights showing premium prices ranging into the mid-$4s and diesel staying above $5.9 in parts of the state. Community & Environment: CoastAL Orange Beach announced its first Toast for the Coast gala (Nov. 21) to raise funds for Gulf Coast conservation groups.

Construction & Labor Compliance: Alabama-based Caddell Construction has agreed to pay €30.941 million (about $35.24M) in the Milan U.S. consulate worker-exploitation probe, including nearly €20M for overtime, housing reimbursements and non-material damages, while denying liability. Workforce Training: Morningbird Space Corporation and Alabama A&M’s Research and Economic Development Office launched a revenue-sharing partnership to expand the Morningbird Academy’s online workforce training and certification programs. Education & Skills Pipeline: Bevill State student Ervin Smith received a Building Futures Scholarship for HVACR training, part of a $2,000 scholarship push across Alabama community colleges. Local Business: Chicken Salad Chick plans a new Longview, Texas restaurant—its first Alabama-born brand expansion continues to spread. Energy Watch: Gas prices in Alabama remain volatile, with multiple counties reporting week-ending Sept. 19 lows (including diesel at $5.59 in Tuscaloosa County).