AGP Executive Report

Defense & Manufacturing: Lockheed Martin won a $35.8B THAAD procurement that will ramp interceptor production, with Alabama facilities tied to the broader missile-defense buildout. Transportation Funding: Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a $16.17M federal BUILD grant to replace the Swayback Bridge on Hustleville Road in Marshall County, aiming to improve safety and reliability. Energy & Consumer Costs: AAA says the national gas average is down for a fifth straight week, sitting around $3.91 a gallon ahead of Independence Day travel. Workforce & Education: Alabama expands Workforce Pell eligibility for short-term job training and credentials, while an eHBCU course-sharing partnership lets students at Alabama State University access classes from other HBCUs without transferring. Local Business & Public Safety: A fire destroyed the Silk World wholesale-florist warehouse in Austell, shutting down Veterans Memorial Highway as crews worked hotspots. Data Center Security: Cargo thieves targeted AI data center supplies, with reports tying stolen copper spools to Alabama before being moved out of state. Politics & Business Climate: Trump administration signals it won’t renew USMCA in its current form, raising concerns about higher prices and job impacts.

University Restructuring: The University of Alabama quietly shut down two community-facing divisions—Opportunities, Connections and Success and Community Affairs—replacing them with a new Office of Community Impact led by former UA internal affairs director LeNá Powe McDonald, as the school aligns outreach with President Peter Mohler’s “Future-Ready Flagship.” Tourism Dollars: Visit Tuscaloosa says visitor spending topped $1 billion in 2025, with more than 750,000 overnight visitors and food and beverage the biggest share of spend. Public Safety & Health: The FBI and DOJ highlighted a growing health care fraud crackdown, including a Phenix City case tied to alleged Medicaid billing for services never provided. Local Enforcement: Opelika arrested two business owners after a joint investigation into unlawful hemp products, with additional charges pending. Economic/Infrastructure: Marshall County won a $16.17 million federal BUILD grant to replace the Swayback Bridge on Hustleville Road, aiming to improve safety and reliability. Community Support: Community Service Programs of West Alabama is offering free diapers, pull-ups and wipes through a federally funded program, with registration set for early July in Greensboro and Moundville. Business Growth/Planning: Forsyth’s planning commission advanced variances for major signage tied to a renovated Burger King, sending the requests to city council for final approval. College Athletics: Unisun Sports officially launched July 1, creating a new multi-sport alliance between ASUN and the rebranded United Athletic Conference, with Alabama among the member states.

Workforce & Training: Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Workforce launched “Workforce Pell,” expanding federal Pell eligibility for approved short-term, career-focused training so qualifying Alabamians can earn credentials without a full degree. Housing & Real Estate: Alabama home sales rose in May to 6,938 (+11.7% from April; +11.7% year over year), while the median price climbed to $279,185 (+5.9% month over month; +16.6% year over year), with economists pointing to more listings and easing mortgage rates as summer tailwinds. Healthcare Business: Premier Anesthesia and Hughston announced a strategic partnership to expand specialized anesthesia coverage at Hughston facilities in Phenix City, Alabama, plus surgical centers in Georgia. Local Growth: PopUp Bagels announced its first Alabama location in Birmingham, with additional openings planned across the state. Public Accountability: An audit found compliance and financial-control issues at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, including concerns around federal grant spending and procurement practices. Consumer Protection: The BBB warned that scammers are cashing in on America’s 250th with counterfeit “official” coins, merchandise, and event tickets.

Critical Minerals & Defense Supply Chain: The U.S. Army selected Titan Mining to develop graphite processing at Anniston Army Depot in Alabama, aiming to reduce reliance on China for defense and advanced manufacturing. Workforce & Training: Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Workforce launched Alabama’s Workforce Pell approval process, expanding Pell eligibility to approved short-term, career-focused training programs. Healthcare Leadership: DCH Health System CEO Katrina Keefer was elected to the Alabama Hospital Association Board of Trustees, representing West Alabama. Economic Development: Selma-Dallas County EDA held its first Industry Summit to connect rural employers with workforce training and support resources, partnering with Wallace Community College Selma. Business & Logistics Security: Reports detail cargo thieves targeting AI data center equipment and supplies, with law enforcement recovering high-value stolen trailers and components. Housing & Public Policy: Alabama Supreme Court guidance highlights limits on municipal stormwater upgrade duties, a ruling with potential implications for property owners and local governments. Local Business/Community: Huntsville Housing Authority issued an invitation for bids for lawn care and landscape maintenance, with a pre-bid meeting set for July 7 and bids due July 21.

Cullman Data Centers: Cullman City Council approved a one-year pause on new data-center development to review zoning, infrastructure, environmental impacts and long-term goals, joining other Alabama cities that have moved to slow or study the boom. Tourism Momentum: Cullman County is outpacing the rest of Alabama on tourism, with visitor spending up more than 16% in 2025 to about $325.5 million and 3,468 tourism-supported jobs. Critical Minerals on Bases: The U.S. Army awarded contracts to build and operate critical-mineral processing facilities at Anniston Army Depot and other installations, aiming to reduce foreign dependence on graphite, lithium, rare earths and more. Energy Planning: TVA’s preliminary plan projects higher electricity demand through 2040 and shifts toward more natural gas generation, scaling back wind expectations. Construction Industry: Alabama AGC wrapped up its annual convention in Destin with more than 500 attendees and a keynote from Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Workforce/Weatherization: Alabama announced $6.3M in weatherization grants to cut energy bills for low-income households, with local agencies handling applications.

Data Centers & AI Buildout: Digi Power X’s US Data Centers plans to convert its Columbiana bitcoin-mining site into a Tier 3 AI/HPC data center, targeting 55MW across two phases (22MW by Q2 2026; 33MW by Q1 2027) with $176M then $440M total investment, after a $7M building permit. Local Governance: Morgan County approved a one-year moratorium on data center cryptomining projects, pausing VoltCore’s proposed Bitcoin facility near Somerville amid resident concerns over noise, environment, roads and power. Tourism & Jobs: Cullman County logged a record year, topping $325M in visitor spending (+16%), supporting about 3,500 jobs and generating $93M+ in earnings. Healthcare Expansion: Encompass Health (Alabama-based) plans a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Post Falls, Idaho, opening in 2028. Infrastructure: ALDOT begins a multi-month US-43 resurfacing and guardrail project in Tuscaloosa County (5.4 miles from the Lake Tuscaloosa Bridge to south of Northside Road) starting June 30. Public Safety: Alabama faces dangerous heat with temps in the 90s to lower 100s, raising heat-illness risk.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Michelin says it will close its BFGoodrich tire plant in Tuscaloosa by end of 2028, affecting about 1,200 workers, citing structural inefficiencies and tougher recreation/off-road competition. Industrial Investment: U.S. Steel approved about $475 million for a new Quench and Tempering line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations, targeting full production by Q2 2029 and adding heat-treated capacity for oil-and-gas demand. Workforce Development: Alabama Industrial Development Training director Ed Castile will retire after 33 years; Kevin Taylor, a long-time AIDT leader, is set to take over. Healthcare Business: BioCryst will wind down internal drug discovery programs and close its Birmingham Discovery Center of Excellence by end of 2026 as it pivots to external partnerships for rare-disease pipeline growth. Energy Assistance: Gov. Ivey awarded more than $6.3M in weatherization grants to cut bills for low-income Alabamians. Water Infrastructure: Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a $1M ARC grant for Dora to build a 250,000-gallon elevated water tank and water mains to unlock development at Heritage Landing. Local Governance: Cullman became the latest Alabama city to pause new data center development, approving a one-year moratorium while it reviews impacts on infrastructure, environment, traffic, noise and water. Corporate Leadership: EMPLOYERS named Jeffrey P. Lisenby executive VP and general counsel, bringing decades of insurance regulatory and governance experience.

Advanced Manufacturing in Alabama: Deep tech unicorn Advanced Navigation is opening its first U.S. manufacturing hub in Huntsville, Alabama, after raising $158M in a Series C—aiming to ramp production to supply at least half of its U.S. sales within 12 to 18 months. Defense Spending: Lockheed Martin won a $2.2B contract for F-35 Lightning II air systems upkeep and maintenance, with work largely in Fort Worth and completion targeted by December 2028. Local Courts & Business Licensing: Alabama’s Court of Criminal Appeals reversed convictions of newly elected Baldwin County Commissioner John “Tater” Harris tied to golf cart rentals, saying the city failed to prove he lacked a valid business license. Housing Policy Fight: U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt defended opposing votes on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, as Trump delayed signing pending a separate SAVE America Act. Food Assistance Risk: Alabama’s SNAP error rate rose to 9.52% for FY2025, putting the state on track for a potential $200M price tag unless it improves. Community & Health: Huntsville Hospital CEO Jeff Samz was elected chair of the Alabama Hospital Association board, as the state’s hospital sector pushes for long-term sustainability. Workforce/Leadership Training: UWA’s Division of Lifelong Learning will host FranklinCovey’s “6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team” in Livingston in July. Weather & Safety: A heat advisory is in effect across parts of Alabama with heat index values up to 105 degrees.

Hospital Leadership: Huntsville Hospital Health System CEO Jeff Samz was elected chair of the Alabama Hospital Association Board of Trustees, tasked with helping hospitals strengthen access, quality and long-term sustainability across the state. College Sports Policy: A bipartisan Protect College Sports Act (SAFE Act) cleared committee and is headed to the U.S. Senate floor, with a major debate over athlete compensation, NCAA governance and enforcement. Manufacturing & Defense Tech: NASA tested an in-orbit refueling docking component developed with L3Harris at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, a step toward deep-space missions. Data & Cybersecurity: AssuranceAmerica says a breach may have exposed sensitive data for at least 1.1 million people across seven states, including Social Security numbers. Alabama Business & Jobs: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Alabama small businesses and nonprofits hit by the Dec. 1, 2025 drought, with coverage across dozens of counties. Local Economy/Environment: Alabama is seeking a U.S. Army Corps permit to fill wetlands and streams for the Northern Beltline highway project north of Birmingham, drawing environmental pushback. Consumer Watch: A viral report alleges an AT&T store upgrade removed a grandfathered $20 plan and added charges, highlighting how phone-service changes can get costly fast.

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity: AssuranceAmerica says a breach may have exposed sensitive data for at least 1.1 million people across seven states, including Social Security information, after “suspicious activity” was detected March 17. Food Safety: USDA recalled Reser’s “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” after mislabeling it as pasta salad when it may actually be chicken salad, affecting distribution that includes Alabama. Manufacturing & Defense Tech: NASA tested an in-orbit refueling “cryocoupler” developed by L3Harris at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, a step toward refueling deep-space missions. Small Business Relief: SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Alabama small businesses and private nonprofits hit by a December 2025 drought, covering dozens of counties including Hale and Mobile. Local Economy & Growth: Shreveport is paying a consulting firm $130,000 for a three-year downtown revitalization plan, with safety concerns like panhandling, vacant buildings, and lighting driving the strategy. Energy & Weather Risk: Property insurance experts are cautiously optimistic about storm season as Florida’s market shows some softening, but risks remain. Sports & Talent: ESPN’s SC Next 300 wideout Osani Gayles committed to Alabama, giving the Crimson Tide a recruiting boost for the 2027 class. Business Regulation: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including Alabama, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it unlawfully forces nationwide compliance. Transportation & Infrastructure: Alabama’s Marbury Volunteer Fire Department completed a new permanent station after the 2023 tornado, consolidating operations that had been spread across multiple sites.

Manufacturing Investment: U.S. Steel says it will put $75 million into a new premium thread line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations in Alabama, aiming to expand capacity for energy-sector pipe and tube products. Defense & Industrial Expansion: L3Harris broke ground on two new PAC-3 propulsion facilities in Camden, Arkansas, part of a broader push to ramp interceptor production. Local Economic Shock: Michelin announced it will close the BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa plant by 2028, with at least 1,200 jobs affected; local leaders met to plan for the transition. Big Tech Incentives: Birmingham approved major tax abatements for Nebius’ planned AI data center in Oxmoor Valley, a deal that’s already sparked questions about who’s responsible for the incentives. Critical Minerals Policy: The U.S. Army is moving to place mineral processing on military bases via partnerships, including a graphite purification site tied to Alabama’s Anniston Army Depot. Entertainment & Tourism: Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater hit its highest-ever Pollstar midyear ranking, placing No. 8 worldwide for gross ticket sales. Community & Health: Auburn psychology professor April Smith says younger generations report higher fear of adulthood, with worries easing as they gain experience.

BFGoodrich/Michelin Restructuring: Michelin says the BFGoodrich Tuscaloosa tire plant will close by end of 2028, with workforce impacts starting in phases in the first half of 2027; local chambers and city leaders are coordinating career-transition help for about 1,200 jobs. Energy Assistance: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $6.3M in Weatherization Assistance grants, including West Alabama awards, to cut energy bills and improve home safety for low-income households. Defense Supply Chain: Titan Mining’s subsidiary received conditional U.S. Army notices tied to graphite-refinery plans at Anniston Army Depot and Pine Bluff Arsenal, advancing domestic critical-minerals processing. Housing Policy Fight: A 21st Century Road to Housing Act signing was delayed as President Trump tied it to the SAVE America Act; Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville opposed the housing bill while Sen. Katie Britt supports both. AI and Legal Risk: A Huntsville attorney warns chatbot legal guidance may not be private and could surface in court, including during depositions. Local Business/Community: Alabama’s Tourism Department launched the Alabama Catfish Trail highlighting 50+ waterways and dining stops, aiming to boost tourism and jobs.

Defense & Industry: Lockheed Martin won a up-to-$35 billion, seven-year THAAD procurement to quadruple interceptor production, with Alabama tied to the company’s broader munitions buildout. Manufacturing Investment: U.S. Steel will invest $475 million to expand its Fairfield Tubular Operations plant, adding equipment, training, and storage to boost higher-value steel output. Workforce & Policy: Alabama Arise and the Institute for Policy Studies say public transit funding could help close the state’s workforce shortage, projecting thousands of jobs if lawmakers appropriate $25 million to unlock more federal dollars. Healthcare Leadership: Huntsville Hospital Health System CEO Jeff Samz was elected chair of the Alabama Hospital Association board, while Flowers Hospital’s Jeff Brannon received the association’s Gold Medal of Excellence. Economic Development & Events: Gov. Ivey announced Alabama’s participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., highlighting the state’s economy, defense, agriculture and Civil Rights history. Local Business & Jobs: PuroClean named top franchise performers, including an Alabama location in Fort Payne recognized for major rural growth. Community & Growth: JPMorganChase plans to more than double community banking centers and add about 300 jobs, including a new Huntsville, Alabama Community Center.

Manufacturing Shock in West Alabama: Michelin says it will gradually wind down BFGoodrich Tire production in Tuscaloosa and consolidate “nearly all” output to its Fort Wayne, Indiana, plant, with Tuscaloosa operations ending by end of 2028; about 1,200 jobs are expected to be impacted as the company cites inefficiencies and intensifying competition. Workforce Response: Tuscaloosa officials and the Alabama Department of Labor say they’ll support affected workers as the transition ramps up. Industrial Investment in North Alabama: U.S. Steel’s Fairfield Tubular Operations in Alabama is set to receive about a $475 million quench-and-tempering line investment approved by its board, aimed at strengthening domestic supply and improving product quality. Defense Supply Chain Push: The U.S. Army is moving ahead with critical-minerals processing on military bases, including Alabama-linked graphite purification and other rare-earth and battery-material projects tied to new public-private efforts. Local Business & Growth: In Spanish Fort, Infirmary Health bought a former Kohl’s building to redevelop into a regional operations and support facility for South Alabama. Energy & Land-Use Fight: Silicon Ranch says it has conditional approval to proceed with a large Baldwin County solar project despite a zoning referendum, while ALDOT seeks federal permission to fill wetlands and streams for the Birmingham Northern Beltline.

Defense & Industry: The House Appropriations Committee advanced a $1.072 trillion FY27 defense bill, with North Alabama Rep. Dale Strong singled out for his “deep understanding of the warfighter’s needs,” as the package boosts hypersonics, missile defense and munitions. Missile Defense Contract: Lockheed Martin won a seven-year, up to $35 billion deal to expand THAAD interceptor production, aiming to lift output from about 96 missiles a year to as many as 400. AI for Defense: Aurex says it’s advancing GHOST-AI and CASTER-AI for hypersonics and battle-management decision support. Trade & Economic Development: Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair led a delegation to the SEUS-CP forum in Greenville, highlighting $4.3B in 2025 Alabama exports to Canada and new supply-chain talks in life sciences, advanced energy and mobility. Health Care Enforcement: DOJ says an Alabama provider will pay $300,000 after alleged false Medicaid claims for services not performed. Plastics Legal Fight: Seventeen Republican AGs, including Alabama’s, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs and improperly reach across state lines. Local Business: Take 5 Oil Change opened its first Madison shop, and Birmingham named three inductees for its Business Hall of Fame. Education & Weather Tech: University of South Alabama partners with Climavision to use radar data for instruction and research.

Defense & Manufacturing: L3Harris broke ground on two new PAC-3 propulsion facilities in Camden, Arkansas, aiming to boost U.S. Army interceptor output and speed delivery. Banking Deal: Colony Bankcorp agreed to buy First Reliance Bancshares in a stock-and-cash deal valued around $163 million, expanding a Southeast footprint across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Local Economy & Infrastructure: ALDOT opened the final section of the Linden Bypass, a four-lane link meant to improve safety, mobility and reduce downtown congestion in west Alabama. Workforce & Hiring Pressure: Alabama graduates say job searches are dragging on—while the state’s unemployment rate ticked up to 3.0% in May, wages and employment rose, leaving many still struggling to land matching roles. Power & Storm Recovery: Alabama Power reported restoration to about 86% of affected customers after Tropical Storm Arthur, urging residents to avoid downed lines and use outage tracking for updates. Business Community: East Alabama Chamber of Commerce earned Alabama Accredited Chamber designation, highlighting ongoing support for local businesses and community work. Policy & Compliance: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joined a multi-state legal challenge targeting California’s plastics law, arguing it unfairly raises costs for businesses and consumers. Higher Ed & Talent Pipeline: UA named thousands to its Spring 2026 dean’s and president’s lists, reinforcing the state’s education-to-workforce pipeline.