AGP Executive Report

Food Insecurity Relief: United Way of Lee County kicked off its annual campaign by packing 50,000 meals for the Food Bank of East Alabama, aiming to keep aid local as food insecurity remains high across multiple central Alabama counties. Corporate Earnings: The Dixie Group reported modest Q2 results with net sales essentially flat year over year, while noting continued softness in the home resale and remodeling market. Coastal Recovery Funding: Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council is asking for project suggestions for RESTORE Act Direct Component and Spill Impact funding, with a submission deadline in October. Energy & Infrastructure: FERC approved a $1.7 billion, 206-mile natural gas pipeline across Mississippi that would expand capacity into Butler, Alabama, despite landowner and environmental objections. Alabama Power/Meta Solar Deal: The Alabama PSC unanimously approved a Clearview Ranch solar plus battery project in Macon and Bullock counties, with Meta’s Dotier financing and long-term power purchase likely tied to its Montgomery data center buildout. Business Growth in Mobile: BendPak completed the first phase of a 261,600-square-foot logistics and distribution center in Mobile County, designed to support faster shipping and customer-facing operations. Health & Safety: FDA approved Moderna’s first mRNA flu vaccine for older adults, while CDC/FDA confirmed a jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak reaching 27 states, with two cases showing antibiotic resistance. Local Business Expansion: Aspen Dental opened its first Shelby County practice in Alabaster, expanding access to dental services with walk-in availability. Defense Manufacturing: Kratos won a U.S. Army contract to develop a next-generation Javelin seeker, with work performed at its Birmingham Advanced Manufacturing Center. Policy & Ethics: Alabama Ethics Commission delayed a revolving-door advisory opinion request tied to a planned insurance licensing consulting firm.

Data Center Watch: Alabama’s ADEM has approved a permit tied to APLD BHM-01 LLC for a proposed Brookwood, Ala. project described in engineering materials as a “Brookwood Data Center,” though Applied Digital says no decision has been made. Workforce & Talent: A new Strada Institute report finds two-thirds of college-educated workers still live in the state where they attended high school, shaping how Alabama and other states build talent pipelines. Higher Ed Accountability: A class action lawsuit accuses Alabama A&M University of failing to pay faculty promised summer compensation from 2020-2025, potentially affecting retirement contributions. Local Hiring: Rep. Terri Sewell’s 15th annual job fair in Selma brings 75+ employers to Wallace Community College Selma on Aug. 6. Public Health: FDA announced a recall of Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold at Walmart in 19 states, including Alabama, over possible salmonella contamination. Business Growth: Novelis reported a 71% jump in Q1 FY27 net income, citing market trends and progress toward ramping Bay Minette operations. Community & Economy: Tuscaloosa’s back-to-school rally offers free haircuts and 1,500 backpacks on Aug. 6, while Cullman’s WildWater opens a new 1,000-foot lazy river expansion.

Data Centers & Local Authority: Alabama counties pushing back on data center plans are running into a legal wall—officials in Lowndes County say they lack zoning power to impose bans or moratoriums, a fight that’s now drawing statewide attention. Permitting Watch: A permit filed for a 2,000,000-square-foot Brookwood data center plan names Applied Digital as the developer and details stormwater runoff routing, adding new clarity to a months-long local debate. Banking & Markets: Regions Financial’s stock story stays in focus after Q2 results showed adjusted EPS of $0.68 and a credit-loss provision that fell sharply, with management reaffirming its 2026 outlook. Business Growth: BendPak broke ground on its Donald R. Henthorn Industrial Complex in Mobile County, signaling continued Southeast manufacturing expansion. Workforce & Community: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced a large Selma job fair with dozens of employers across major industries. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader cameras face mounting criticism and vandalism amid privacy concerns, including reports of misuse by some agencies. Health & Food Safety: The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce continues to widen, with new deaths reported in Michigan. Consumer Fraud Signals: BBB Scam Tracker data shows multiple Alabama cities tied for elevated scam-report counts in June, including Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville.

Norwood Hospital: U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch says two hospital operators are still in active talks to take over the long-vacant Norwood Hospital site, while Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust says it has spent $350 million and can’t finish without an operator. Education Finance: Auburn approved $241.8 million in debt to build a second public high school and other facilities, with Plains High School targeted for fall 2028. Workforce & Training: Birmingham is advancing a $45 million “Future Ready” plan, including a $40 million career and innovation center focused first on health sciences. STEM Pipeline: Drake State landed a $500,000 NSF grant to expand STEM pathways tied to Alabama’s semiconductor workforce needs. Local Business Regulation: Fort Payne revoked the Rusty Barrel Saloon’s business license after a camera was found in a men’s bathroom. AI & Governance: A coalition of GOP attorneys general, including Alabama’s, is pressing OpenAI to preserve records tied to an AI security incident involving Hugging Face. Airports: Alabama awarded more than $3.1 million for improvements at 11 airports statewide.

USPS Oversight: U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville introduced the PERFORM Act to block the postmaster general from performance bonuses when USPS misses delivery targets or posts financial losses, aiming to tighten accountability for Alabama mail service. Maternal Health Crisis: The ACLU of Alabama released a report saying rural access to prenatal and postpartum care is “severely limited,” with transportation, financial instability, and provider disrespect driving worse outcomes. AI & Kids in Alabama: Britt also pushed back on social media and AI risks to children, arguing Congress has been ineffective and urging pressure on big tech to change practices. Local Business & Permitting: Holly Pond is considering a business-license tweak to let mobile vendors buy a cheaper one-day option instead of paying for a full year. Economic Development & Real Estate: Morrison Avenue Capital Partners opened Hilltop Auburn, a 128-bed student housing community preleased for 2026-27. Aviation Funding: Cullman Regional Airport is set to receive about $279,267 for taxiway pavement improvements. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including Alabama, after salmonella was detected. Tourism: Visit Tuscaloosa CEO Kelsey Rush was named Alabama Tourism Executive of the Year.

Auto Manufacturing Boom: Minth Group broke ground on a new $430M facility in Gadsden on a former steel site, targeting 1,300+ jobs and a spring 2027 parts-supply start. Construction & Growth: Alabama’s million-dollar-plus building permits included an INFAC facility in Auburn Technology Park West and an Epsilon Industries expansion in Tuscaloosa, signaling continued industrial investment. City Hall & Services: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed defended the Momentum 2040 bond ahead of a council vote, while Prichard officials clashed over garbage collection after the city lost municipal insurance and debated whether to self-insure. Food Safety: Walmart pulled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states after Salmonella was found, and Publix expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to E. coli. AI & Consumer Protection: A coalition of 15 state attorneys general, including Alabama’s, urged OpenAI to preserve records after an alleged Hugging Face hack, raising new scrutiny of AI “agent” testing. Public Finance & Health Fraud: DOJ announced a $14.1M settlement with a Medicare Advantage provider over alleged false diagnosis coding. Local Business Spotlight: Vermeer Southeast opened a new Madison location, and Wise Builders Roofing and Renovations highlighted its Mobile-area services.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Sen. Tommy Tuberville visited Tuscaloosa for Epsilon Industries’ $15 million expansion groundbreaking, touting manufacturing growth and workforce goals ahead of the Nov. 8 governor’s race. Fraud Crackdown: The U.S. Justice Department announced major fraud enforcement actions across the Southeast, including three Alabama cases tied to alleged $350M+ in intended losses—ranging from SNAP and SBA loan fraud to tax schemes and counterfeit postage. Postal Oversight: Sen. Katie Britt and Tuberville introduced a bill to tie postmaster general pay to USPS performance, blocking bonuses if nationwide targets aren’t met amid declining mail volume. Local Government Risk: Prichard lost liability insurance coverage after Alabama Municipal Insurance Corp. declined to renew, leaving first responders and city services exposed during an ongoing leadership and financial dispute. Food Safety Update: The FDA expanded and then updated a frozen blueberry and peach-related recall response tied to E. coli and Listeria concerns, with some actions now marked terminated. Election Logistics: Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch endorsed Jerry Carl in Alabama’s Aug. 11 1st District special Republican primary. Community Growth: Huntsville released a 2026 music industry economic audit showing $278.2M in output and 3,047 jobs tied to the city’s music sector.

Power Infrastructure Milestone: HD Hyundai Electric marked its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer produced in the U.S., a 500kV unit headed to Georgia Transmission and installed in Florida—another sign of Alabama’s growing role in the grid buildout. Local Government & Finance: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is using the Birmingham Stallions’ exit as a talking point while pushing a $375 million sports complex bond and other city projects, even as council members debate priorities. Higher Ed Policy: Tuskegee University rolled out a “professional educational environment” dress code requiring business suits and proper shoes and banning bonnets and du-rags in most settings, drawing national attention. Public Safety Tech: The Alabama Sheriffs Association defended Flock license-plate cameras, arguing they help locate wanted people and AMBER Alert victims while urging proper policies. Community & Business Events: Cullman’s library launched a seed library exchange, and local markets and chamber events continue to draw shoppers and small-business support across the state.

Data Center Debate in Hale County: A free public forum on data center development is set for today in Demopolis, with speakers expected to cover environmental best practices, planning and policy, water, and rural infrastructure impacts—no company or site has been publicly named yet. Road Funding Watch: Hale County’s transportation advisory committee reviewed a slate of state and county projects moving toward contract letting, including resurfacing and road-diet work on SR 14 near Greensboro and ongoing West Alabama Highway construction. Defense Drone Industrial Push: Performance Drone Works received a conditional up-to-$820 million loan commitment to expand U.S. drone component manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, with operations tied to Huntsville. Local Politics—Aug. 11 Do-Over: Hale County voters head back to the polls Aug. 11 for a special GOP primary in Alabama’s 7th District after May results were voided due to congressional map changes. University Dress Code Sparks Debate: Tuskegee University is requiring business suits and proper shoes for campus business settings and banning items like bonnets and du-rags in classrooms and cafeterias. Recycling Expansion: Baldwin County opened a third hard-to-recycle drop-off center (CHaRM) and plans three more, aiming to keep items like batteries, glass, and bulbs out of trash. Power Grid Investment: HD Hyundai Electric marked its 1,000th ultrahigh-voltage transformer produced in Alabama, shipping the milestone unit to Georgia Transmission for Florida’s Walton County grid.

Power & Manufacturing: HD Hyundai Electric marked a major Alabama milestone, shipping its 1,000th ultra-high-voltage transformer from its North American plant—an expansion signal for U.S. grid investment. Jobs & Growth: Epsilon Industries broke ground on a $15M+ Tuscaloosa expansion expected to add 26 jobs, tied to rising off-site construction demand. Business Fraud Enforcement: Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen signed a DOJ data-sharing deal to speed identification and prosecution of fraudulent business activity using state business and UCC records. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Walker County’s Heman Drummond Center for Innovation (HDCI) is delayed to September but still targets about 900 students and expanded career technical training. Consumer Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries over potential E. coli O145 contamination, including Alabama stores. Student Debt Pressure: A new report highlights record student loan defaults, with Alabama borrowers facing a sharp rise in serious delinquency. Local Planning: Baldwin County released a draft 76-page master plan covering land use, transportation, utilities and “good neighbor” education for residents near agriculture.

Retail Recruitment: Cullman’s EDAA retail and workforce manager says successful retail recruitment comes from years of prep, relationship-building, and picking the right conferences—not trying to attend everything. Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise organic frozen blueberries and whole mixed berries due to possible E. coli O145 contamination, affecting stores in Alabama and seven other states. Local Growth Planning: Baldwin County released a 76-page Draft Master Plan 2026 covering land use, transportation, economic development, utilities, and a “Good Neighbor” education idea for residents moving near active agriculture; public hearings are set for Aug. 6 and Sept. 1. Economic Development & Innovation: Alabama medical device startup Simparo Inc. (backed by Innovate Alabama) earned its fourth U.S. patent for a thumb CMC reconstruction suture-locking mechanism. Business Expansion: Parish Tractor is acquiring Crain Tractor in Mississippi, adding a new location and growing its southeast footprint. Community & Infrastructure: Foley City Council approved bids and grants for airport drainage improvements at Holk Field, with FAA and state funding covering about 90% of costs.

Energy & Jobs: Epsilon Industries broke ground on a more than $15 million Tuscaloosa expansion that will add 26 jobs, boosting its off-site construction capacity. Power Infrastructure: Georgia Power and partners marked progress at Plant Bowen with new turbines and battery storage, supported by a large DOE loan aimed at expanding grid capacity across Georgia and Alabama. Defense & Manufacturing: PDW Holdings (Performance Drone Works) secured a conditional up to $820 million loan commitment to expand domestic drone manufacturing in Huntsville. Workforce Training: Walker County students earned certificates after completing an HVAC Fast Track Pilot Program with Alabama Power involvement, with plans to expand adult training through community colleges. Cybersecurity & Compliance: A new analysis warns government contractors not to treat the CMMC Phase II suspension as a pass, citing DOJ False Claims Act risk tied to cybersecurity representations. Local Business & Permitting: Shelby County published responses clarifying its electronic building and plan review RFP scope and proposal deadline. Public Safety/Healthcare Access: Air Methods is upgrading its LifeSaver helicopter fleet in Alabama with newer aircraft features aimed at faster, safer patient access. Consumer Watch: Publix and the FDA expanded recalls of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries tied to E. coli concerns, including shipments to Alabama. Sports Business: The UFL’s Birmingham Stallions are reportedly looking for a “right-sized” venue after citing Protective Stadium’s scale, with Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed inviting talks.

Alabama Business Fraud Crackdown: Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen signed a DOJ data-sharing memo to help investigators spot fraudulent business filings faster, using publicly available business and UCC records. Food Safety: Publix expanded its recall of GreenWise frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries across eight states, including Alabama, after E. coli concerns tied to a Chile supplier. Aviation Funding: ALDOT awarded more than $3.1M in airport improvement grants statewide, including Fayette’s Richard Arthur Field for perimeter fencing and hangar work. Workforce & Growth: Manufacture Alabama added ArcelorMittal Calvert and Evonik leaders to its board, strengthening manufacturing, safety, and corporate responsibility leadership. Energy & Infrastructure: A new national study estimates 6.5M Americans live in buildings in landslide hazard zones, with rural communities facing the biggest exposure. Local Business Incentives: Gadsden approved a tax incentive for a Dutch Bros drive-through, supporting another retail/restaurant expansion in Alabama. National Economy Watch: US News released its 2026 best-states rankings, with Alabama appearing in the lower half overall. Data Center Debate: Coverage highlights how communities are pushing back on large data centers, with Alabama residents also organizing against new projects.

Education Policy: A Senate panel advanced a bill aimed at reversing the Trump administration’s plan to split the U.S. Department of Education, keeping K-12 and special education oversight at the department. Workforce & Trucking: The DOT launched “Freedom Haulers” to speed veterans into trucking, including a longer CDL skills-test waiver eligibility window and expanded state participation in the Even Exchange program. Public Safety & Compliance: Alabama enforcement actions removed 900+ truck drivers from service for failing federal English language requirements, citing safety needs like reading signs and communicating in emergencies. Fraud Crackdown: Federal and state leaders met to highlight fraud enforcement, including a major Alabama tax fraud case and a new DOJ data-sharing agreement with Alabama to detect business fraud. Utilities & Power: Southern Company reported $1.2B in 2026 Q2 profit, with Alabama Power among its regulated utilities. Local Business & Growth: Birmingham proposed a $45M plan to expand career training and modernize schools via a Future Ready Career and Innovation Center. Food Supply: Publix expanded a recall of GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold in Alabama and other states over potential E. coli O145 contamination. Energy Infrastructure: Alabama Power’s data center contract filing drew scrutiny after key terms were redacted, limiting public review of costs and guarantees.

Defense & Manufacturing: The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin up to $58.6B to produce Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors, converting a prior deal into a seven-year plan and aiming to triple production capacity by 2030, with Alabama among the modernization footprint. Banking Expansion: Gulf Coast Bank & Trust reported first-half 2026 net income up 15.8% to $20.7M, with assets up to $3.86B and loans up 9.3%—and it opened new offices in Orange Beach and Hattiesburg as it pushes further into the Gulf South. Workforce & Local Development: Tuscaloosa’s Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama is getting a new roof as part of a broader renovation to turn the downtown building into a workforce and community development hub. Policy & Gambling: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a multistate coalition challenging proposed CFTC sports betting rules tied to prediction markets, arguing federal overreach into state gambling authority. Business Spotlight: Birmingham’s The Son of a Butcher was named Alabama’s top butcher shop in a national ranking, adding to the state’s growing food-and-dining buzz. Sports Business: The Birmingham Stallions will disband after five seasons in the USFL/UFL.

Workforce & Education: Birmingham is proposing a $45M plan, including a $40M Future Ready Career and Innovation Center at the former Arthur School site, aimed at hands-on training for in-demand fields like nursing and physical therapy, with later expansion into areas such as HVAC and cybersecurity. Economic Growth in South Alabama: Covington County is seeing a boost as Southern Transformer Services completes a new Florala facility, investing over $1M and planning to grow staff from 11 toward 50. Restaurant Expansion: Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar is adding new locations, including Trussville, Alabama, as part of four new franchise agreements nationwide. Public Health & Retail: Publix is recalling GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries due to potential E. coli O145 contamination, with shipments to stores in Alabama and seven other states. Prison Healthcare Accountability: Alabama lawmakers are renewing pressure to prosecute YesCare, arguing the former prison healthcare provider mishandled public funds and left employees unpaid. Local Community Support: Selma-Dallas County groups are teaming up for a Back to School Bash Aug. 1 at the Riverfront Amphitheater, with supplies, uniforms, and free food for families. Housing & Homebuilding: Meritage Homes reported weaker Q2 results, with lower closings and margins amid softer spring demand.