AGP Executive Report

Rural Health Funding: Gov. Kay Ivey awarded nearly $55 million in new Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program grants, backing hospitals, ambulance services and colleges statewide. Fuel Prices: Alabama said it will halt enforcement of restrictions on red-dyed diesel for 120 days as states look for ways to ease soaring diesel and gasoline costs. Data Centers & Incentives: Lowndes County is nearing a $2 billion incentive deal for a Nvidia-backed data center developer on land tied to the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march route, raising big questions about abatements and community impact. Mexico/Vulcan Dispute: Alabama’s full U.S. House delegation and additional lawmakers renewed pressure on Mexico over its treatment of Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials, arguing investor confidence and U.S. infrastructure supply are at stake. Obamacare Refunds: Nearly 1 million Americans are set to receive $500 Obamacare premium refund checks, with eligibility tied to HealthCare.gov and whether enrollees received subsidies. Catfish Industry: Sen. Katie Britt introduced the Cormorant Relief Act to help Alabama catfish farmers protect ponds from predatory birds. Tech/Workforce: Alabama’s Exploring Computer Science course is changing as new rules affect which classes count for college-and-career readiness. Business Openings: Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers opened a new Orange Beach location, expanding services in Baldwin County.

Hyundai Expansion: Hyundai says it will invest $500 million in Alabama to build the Tucson Hybrid and later an extended-range electric version of the Santa Fe, aiming to cut tariff exposure and grow U.S. hybrid output. Data Center Costs: A new Alabama data center law takes effect Oct. 1, setting rules for how contracts are reviewed so residents aren’t left holding the bill for utility impacts and ratepayer costs. Public Health & Compliance: Alabama’s new laws start Oct. 1, expanding the Clean Indoor Air Act to cover vaping and e-cigarettes in many indoor public spaces, while also tightening DUI and hit-and-run penalties and updating rules for outdoor dog confinement. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports midgrade and premium prices remain volatile across Alabama counties, with several low-price outliers showing how quickly local markets can shift. Healthcare Payments: The Trump administration begins mailing $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states that used the federal exchange without premium assistance. Transportation Megaproject: Gov. Kay Ivey authorized the $3.2 billion Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, moving the state toward a major Gulf Coast infrastructure buildout. Local Business & Jobs: A Selma businessman donated $12,000 to Selma University to support student tuition and on-campus housing.

Abortion-Pill Legal Fight: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joined Louisiana and Arkansas in taking shield-law disputes over abortion-pill investigations to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing blue-state protections block enforcement. Clean-Energy Talent Pipeline: Sharing the Power Foundation marked its five-year milestone and named 22 “Clean Energy Fellows,” expanding scholarships and internships tied to the clean energy workforce. AI in Healthcare: UVM won up to $38M from ARPA-H to build AI “digital twins” aimed at improving treatment for critically ill patients. Alabama Education & Workforce: AAMU earned national EHAC accreditation for an undergraduate Environmental Health program, while Alabama community colleges push AI training for manufacturing. Data Privacy & Settlements: Alabama’s TikTok teen-safety settlement continues to ripple, and a multi-state Labcorp/AMCA breach settlement highlights vendor security risks for businesses. Power & Infrastructure: Alabama Power asked a court to reconsider an injunction affecting its Fenn Church transmission project, while Birmingham’s Northern Beltline opened its first segment. Local Business/Community: Tuscaloosa elected Raevan Howard council president pro tempore; NARCOG marked 60 years with regional grant-backed projects.

TikTok Settlement & Child Privacy: Alabama secured a landmark $100M+ TikTok deal over teen safety and addictive design, requiring tighter age assurance, two-hour daily limits, nighttime restrictions, stronger parental controls, and filter limits—while lawmakers and advocates are also flagging what data is collected and how it’s handled. Data Security Accountability: A multistate coalition announced a $2.3M settlement involving Labcorp and its AMCA debt-collector breach, underscoring “non-delegable” vendor management duties after exposure of sensitive patient data for millions. Local Infrastructure & Walkability: Cordova won $363,976 for sidewalk upgrades, and Birmingham approved nearly $700K to plan eight walkable “urban village” neighborhood centers—both aimed at safer, more connected streets. Workforce & AI Training: Alabama community colleges are rolling out no-cost AI skills for manufacturing via a partnership with the Manufacturing Institute, bringing practical factory-floor training statewide. Fuel Costs & Farm Impact: Agriculture leaders warn rising diesel prices are driving theft from farm equipment and fuel tanks, while Mississippi’s agriculture commissioner calls for fuel-tax relief—highlighting how energy costs ripple through the region’s economy. Economic Development Pipeline: Auburn’s GEDI program trained Albertville Chamber CEO Stan Witherow, signaling continued push for business growth and workforce development in Sand Mountain.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama AG Steve Marshall highlighted a first-in-the-nation deal with TikTok that brings a $116.2 million base payment and could reach up to $300 million, with new teen protections including a two-hour daily usage limit and nighttime restrictions. STEM Workforce Pipeline: Gov. Kay Ivey launched the Alabama STEM Council Seal of Approval, a peer-reviewed way for families to spot high-quality out-of-school STEM programs and events tied to measurable outcomes. Transportation & Growth: ALDOT opened the first 1.88-mile segment of the Birmingham Northern Beltline (SR-959), a step toward the planned 52-mile I-422 corridor aimed at future economic development. Local Business & Community: The North Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is organizing Pinson’s 12th Annual Butterbean Days street festival, returning a major tourism draw after a split ended the prior Alabama Butterbean Festival. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported Alabama regular prices averaging $3.96 per gallon for the week ending Sept. 19, with DeKalb County’s low at $3.79. Business Hiring: WAKA/CBS 8 in Montgomery posted an opening for an Assistant News Director/Assignment Manager.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General’s office says it reached a major deal with TikTok over teen safety and “deceptive trade practices,” with Alabama set to receive at least $100 million (up to $300 million) and new limits/safety steps. State Finance Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Bill Poole will leave as finance director at week’s end after 16 years, naming Doryan Carlton as his replacement. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan move aimed at curbing NIL and transfer “chaos,” with the bill now headed to the House. Energy Costs & Fuel Watch: Coverage highlights ongoing high gas and diesel prices nationwide, plus Alabama-specific GasBuddy reports showing pockets of lower diesel and midgrade prices in multiple counties. Local Infrastructure: Lee County approved a $320,000 state grant application to replace a weight-restricted bridge on Lee Road 194, easing access for timber traffic. Public Health Rule: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act update banning vaping where smoking is prohibited takes effect this week, expanding enforcement to many indoor public spaces.

Alabama TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a major deal with TikTok over teen safety, with the state set to receive at least $100 million and new limits on teen use, including a two-hour daily cap and tighter overnight access. State Finance Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey announced Alabama Department of Finance Director Bill Poole will step down at week’s end, with Doryan Carlton named to lead the agency. Fuel Costs Watch: AAA reports gas prices are steady for now, but still near record levels; in Alabama, the average regular price is about $4.07, close to the state’s all-time high. Diesel Policy Debate: The White House is weighing regulatory relief that could expand sales of red-dyed diesel to lower prices, a move that may shift who pays federal fuel taxes. Local Business & Growth: ZincFast is preparing a Hanceville plant expansion after a city tax abatement, and a new Five Points Piggly Wiggly opened in Tuscaloosa with expanded services. Community & Economy: Chase Bank brought its Market Square activation to Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces, featuring a muralist’s commissioned artwork.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a deal with TikTok/ByteDance to pay the state at least $100 million and avoid a first state trial, with money due within 45 days and teen protections including a two-hour daily cap plus “productive pauses” after 15, 60 and 90 minutes. Higher Ed & Workforce: UA is leaning harder into cybersecurity across campus, expanding programs and partnerships to prepare students for a digital workforce. College Sports Policy: The “Protect College Sports Act” is drawing fire for being too broad, even as it moves toward a Senate vote. Manufacturing Investments: Eli Lilly broke ground on a $6.5 billion Houston manufacturing site, while GE Appliances plans a $1 billion expansion in Kentucky to bring dryer production back to the U.S. Local Business & Growth: Construction Partners (ROAD) completed its Florida acquisition to add an asphalt plant and crews serving Alabama and the Southeast. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows Alabama midgrade and diesel prices easing in the week ending Sept. 19, with multiple counties reporting low points.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a landmark deal with TikTok over teen safety claims, with the company agreeing to pay at least $100 million and roll out new parental controls plus teen usage limits (including a two-hour daily cap and overnight curfews) ahead of trial. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile across Alabama in the week ending Sept. 19, with one St. Clair County station posting regular at $3.59 and diesel lows reported in multiple counties, underscoring how global oil and refinery conditions still drive local prices. Politics & Voters: Cook Political Report editor Amy Walter told Alabama’s Capitol Journal audience that the Iran war and affordability concerns are making some Republican congressional races more competitive, with turnout among GOP-leaning Trump voters a key risk. Workforce & Education: Calhoun County colleges awarded 1,918 degrees and certificates in 2023-24, led by Jacksonville State University, highlighting ongoing credential pipelines tied to Alabama’s talent needs. Economic Development: Orange Beach’s CoastAL is planning its first “Toast for the Coast” gala to raise money for Gulf Coast conservation groups, linking local business support with environmental priorities.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says TikTok will pay at least $100 million (up to $300 million) and roll out teen protections after the state’s lawsuit was set for trial, including a two-hour daily limit, overnight curfews, tighter parental controls, restrictions on unlimited scrolling, and a ban on beauty filters for minors. Labor & Courts: Alabama-based Caddell Construction has committed to pay €30.941 million (about $35.24 million) in a Milan probe tied to alleged worker exploitation at the new U.S. consulate site, including nearly €20 million for overtime, lodging reimbursements, and non-material damages, while not admitting liability. Workforce Training: Morningbird Space Corporation and Alabama A&M’s research and economic development office announced a partnership to support the Morningbird Academy with online education and career-connected workforce training. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel and gasoline prices remain volatile across Alabama’s counties, with multiple “lowest price” points logged for the week ending Sept. 19. Local Business/Jobs: Cato Fashions plans to close 120 stores, citing pressure on shoppers’ discretionary spending.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced TikTok will pay at least $100 million and implement teen protections, including a default two-hour daily limit, midnight-to-6 a.m. curbs, pauses during use, stronger age checks, tighter parental controls, and a ban on cosmetic filters—avoiding a trial scheduled to start Monday. Local Government & Utilities: Marion lifted a boil-water advisory after a Sept. 16 water main break near Rice Creek; the city also approved wastewater equipment bids and updated financing at a Sept. 21 council meeting. Workforce & Education: Morningbird Space Corporation partnered with Alabama A&M’s research and economic development office to expand the Morningbird Academy’s online workforce training and career-connected programs. Immigration & Hiring: Alabama employers in the “Other Services (except Public Administration)” category filed nine H-1B petitions in 2025, all approved, per USCIS data. Retail Pressure: Cato plans to close 120 stores by the end of fiscal year, citing pressure on discretionary spending. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reported a mix of lower local prices for the week ending Sept. 19, including a Jefferson County midgrade low of $3.99 and Tuscaloosa County diesel low of $5.59.

TikTok Settlement: Alabama reached a first-in-the-nation deal with TikTok and ByteDance, ending a teen-safety lawsuit just before trial. TikTok will pay at least $100 million (reported as $116.2 million in some coverage) and could pay up to $300 million if other states sign on. The agreement requires two-hour daily limits for teens, no access from midnight to 6 a.m., “productive pause” prompts, stronger age checks, parental controls, and limits on certain teen filters. Local Economy & Growth: In Cullman, a Murphy USA project moved into permitting with a $1.36 million building permit, signaling continued commercial investment. Public Services: Etowah County is adding a new EMS provider aimed at improving rural response times. Community & Nonprofits: Publix Charities awarded the Food Bank of North Alabama $350,000 for a vehicle and distribution upgrades. Workforce: Birmingham City Schools is offering sign-on bonuses to fill special education vacancies amid ongoing staffing shortages. Tech & Housing Tension: Brookwood residents are criticizing a planned $3.2 billion AI data center over concerns about transparency and community impact.

Data Privacy & Enforcement: Alabama’s first TikTok trial heads to a Montgomery courtroom Monday, with the state accusing TikTok and ByteDance of misleading parents about teen safety tools and age ratings—an outcome that could force major changes and expose internal practices. Consumer Protection: In a separate multistate push, attorneys general including Alabama’s counterparts announced a $2.3 million Labcorp settlement tied to a 2019 data breach involving a medical debt collector, underscoring “vendor management” as a non-delegable duty. Economic Development: Jefferson County approved a $1 million incentive for a new Kimberly shopping center anchored by Publix, aiming to address a local “food desert” while bringing 67 jobs and tens of millions in projected investment. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile in Alabama’s counties, with GasBuddy reporting some of the week’s lowest regular and premium figures in places like Chambers, Conecuh, and St. Clair. Workforce & Regional Growth: NARCOG marked 60 years across Morgan, Lawrence and Cullman counties, highlighting planning and grant work that has pulled nearly $14 million into local infrastructure and services.

Mobile River Bridge: State Sen. Chris Elliott is pushing a tax credit to reimburse Alabama residents and businesses for tolls tied to the planned Mobile River crossing, arguing the burden shouldn’t fall on locals alone. Energy & Agriculture: Alabama issued utility gross receipts tax exemptions (Act 2026-595) for natural gas or electricity used in commercial aquaculture aeration, commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation, and poultry houses through Aug. 31, 2029. Healthcare Innovation: UAB dosed the first patient worldwide in a first-in-human gene therapy trial for BAG3 mutation-associated dilated cardiomyopathy, a rare inherited heart condition. Tourism: Ave Maria Grotto in North Alabama was named the 2026 Attraction of the Year by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Food Security: Food Bank of North Alabama received $350,000 from Publix Charities for a vehicle to collect donations and a bar-coding system to boost distribution efficiency. Legal/Consumer Data: A multistate settlement targets Labcorp after a 2019 data breach tied to its debt collector, with reforms to data security and new systems for sharing data with third-party collectors.

Economic Development: Mobile Chamber earned International Economic Development Council accreditation, the only Alabama group among 94 nationwide, a signal to investors that the city’s growth push is “ready to deliver.” Manufacturing & Jobs: PPG’s Ozark Materials will close its Greenville plant Nov. 30, cutting 52 jobs, as the Traffic Solutions operation is reorganized. Public Health Policy: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands Oct. 1 to ban vaping in places where smoking is prohibited, with businesses urged to update policies. Consumer & Business Risk: An Alabama woman was arrested in a $40,000 email scam targeting a Grant Parish business, using AI-style impersonation and Bitcoin transfers. Tech & Privacy: U.S. lawmakers are pressing for federal guardrails on Flock automatic license plate readers after testimony highlighted misuse risks and transparency concerns, with Alabama Sen. Katie Britt joining the push. Sports Business & NIL: A new NIL market breakdown shows Ole Miss football dominates its estimated NIL value, with men’s basketball and baseball far behind. Local Economy & Growth: BJ’s Wholesale Club opens its second Alabama location Sept. 25 in Foley, expanding value-focused retail access.

Clean Indoor Air: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act expands Oct. 1 to cover electronic nicotine delivery systems, tightening indoor rules for vaping in most public places. Workforce & Defense Tech: Huntsville schools and UAH are pushing cybersecurity and intelligence pipelines as CIA/NSA-linked hiring needs grow. Digital Access: AT&T and Selma University opened a Connected Learning Center at Stone-Robinson Library with free fiber, Wi-Fi, tutoring and digital literacy support plus $50,000 more for programming. Energy & Utilities: Sierra Club gave Alabama Power a 5/100 score for its clean-energy transition plan, criticizing continued coal reliance and limited public input. Economic Development & Business: U.S. Steel broke ground on a $475 million Fairfield expansion tied to 250 permanent jobs. Corporate Moves: WSB acquired Poly, Inc., expanding its municipal, environmental and federal design capabilities with offices in Alabama. Local Economy & Growth: Auburn hit No. 100 in U.S. News’ 2027 rankings, with strong business program results. Health Care Business: Protective Life named Casey Hardeman CFO and Dom Lebel Chief Risk & Actuarial Officer effective Oct. 1. Education Policy: A PARCA survey finds broad Alabama support for public schools and accountability for private schools receiving voucher funds.