AGP Executive Report

Mobile Infrastructure: Alabama’s largest infrastructure project just cleared a major hurdle: South Alabama secured a $2.5 billion federal loan for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway work, aimed at cutting commute time, easing bottlenecks on I-10, boosting Port of Mobile freight access, and strengthening hurricane evacuation routes. Housing Watch: Zillow data shows steady gains in several Alabama counties, including Lowndes (+2.3% to $150,399), Dale (+2.3% to $164,274), Lawrence (+1.9% to $225,531), and Chambers (+2% to $144,063), reflecting a broader lift in home values. Workforce & Wages: Alabama weekly wages hit a new record high while labor force participation and unemployment held steady in August, with unemployment at 3.4% and employment slightly down from July. Local Business: Troy’s Shiloh’s Ark Cafe and Bakery opened Sept. 5, leaning into a “third place” concept with Wi-Fi, outlets, and seating for studying and community. Education & Skills: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and Kai XR Futures logged 400+ STEM hours for Perry County students, building early tech and career awareness. Public Health: Walmart recalled a Great Value frozen berry blend in 16 states due to possible E. coli contamination, with Michigan consumers reportedly not affected. Defense/Tech: The U.S. Army awarded Skyeton Inc. a $10.64 million contract for Raybird reconnaissance drone hardware and services, with work tied to Redstone Arsenal.

Mobile Infrastructure: South Alabama landed a $2.5 billion federal loan for the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, a major I-10 upgrade meant to cut commute time, improve hurricane evacuation, and expand freight access to the Port of Mobile. Consumer & Public Health: Walmart recalled a Great Value frozen berry blend shipped to 16 states over possible E. coli contamination; the affected lot wasn’t distributed in Michigan. Workforce & Education: Perry County students logged 400+ hours of STEM work through a Kai XR Futures partnership backed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, aiming to build rural tech and career readiness early. Housing Watch: Zillow data showed Chambers County’s typical home value rose 2% to $144,063 in August 2026. Business & Policy: Congress advanced the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act of 2026, aiming to standardize rules for compensating and managing college athletes amid a patchwork of state laws. Tech & Safety: A report warns AI plus cheaper drones could raise public-safety risks, including unauthorized drone flights near major venues.

Mobile Infrastructure: Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project just cleared a major financing milestone with a $2.52 billion federal loan, the state’s largest infrastructure push, moving construction forward. Local Government & Housing: Cullman City Council adopted a $158.8 million FY2027 budget, including a $58.4 million general fund, with the plan taking effect Oct. 1. Real Estate Watch: Zillow data shows Limestone County’s typical home value slipped 0.2% to $319,476 in August 2026, while Macon County rose 3.6% to $134,014. Manufacturing Support: Alabama Training Network awarded $2.19 million to keep serving as the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. Policy & Business Climate: Alabama withdrew objections to federal marijuana rescheduling under state law, aligning with Trump’s move—an update with potential ripple effects for compliance and industry planning. Sports Betting & Markets: Prediction-market platforms kept rolling out new promo codes for college football, including Polymarket’s “OREGON” and Kalshi’s “SILIVE55,” as Week 3 drives trading activity.

Mobile Infrastructure: The U.S. DOT approved a $2.52 billion TIFIA loan for Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, the state’s biggest infrastructure effort, aimed at easing Mobile Bay congestion and improving freight flow. Local Budgets: Cullman City Council adopted a $158.8 million FY2027 budget, with a $58.4 million General Fund and continued infrastructure and service priorities. Economic Development: Alabama’s SEEDS program awarded DeKalb County grants to assess and improve industrial parks in Collinsville and Fyffe, supporting future job creation. Trade & Tariffs: A Wall Street Journal report says Sen. Katie Britt’s office privately sought tariff exemptions for four Alabama companies while publicly backing the tariffs. Ag Security: U.S. Rep. Dale Strong’s House-passed bill would require a nationwide agroterrorism preparedness exercise led by DHS. Marijuana Policy: Alabama public health officials withdrew objections to federal marijuana rescheduling, framing it as procedural. Housing Data: Zillow reported Tuscaloosa County’s typical home value rose 8.7% to $251,855 in August 2026, while Macon County rose 3.6% to $134,014. Health Tech Regulation: Connecticut moved to restrict insurers from using AI as the sole basis for claim payment cuts—an issue Alabama employers and insurers will be watching.

Mobile River Bridge Funding: The U.S. DOT secured a new $2.52 billion TIFIA loan to unlock the first phase of Alabama’s $3.2 billion Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, with construction expected to start next month. Consumer & Health Policy: Abbott will pay more than $384 million over alleged baby formula safety failures, while a coalition of states and the federal government continue pushing tougher oversight. Pharma Supply Chain Security: Alabama AG Steve Marshall joined a 20-state warning to Rubio about Chinese “national security” risks in the pharmaceutical supply chain, targeting reliance on Chinese active ingredients. Fuel Costs Pressure: AAA reports Alabama regular gas near $4 and diesel above $6, renewing calls to pause part of the state fuel tax. Banking Spotlight: Home BancShares earned top rankings from Forbes and Bank Director, highlighting performance in mid-size banks. Local Business/Workforce: Alabama Training Network awarded $2.19 million to keep serving as the state’s manufacturing extension partnership center. Food & Safety Oversight: FDA inspection data shows which Alabama company types drew the most scrutiny in August. Education & Tech: Alabama A&M hosted an AI boot camp for educators and researchers, while a separate FDA reorganization consolidates respiratory virus functions at CDC.

Manufacturing & Workforce: The Alabama Training Network won a $2.19 million NIST award to keep serving as Alabama’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, with added focus on AI, robotics, automation and additive manufacturing. Civic & Community Development: Sand Mountain Cooperative Education Center received a $610,000 grant to expand its cooperative folk school model across Birmingham and rural Guntersville, aiming to build skills and local economic opportunity. AI Education: Alabama A&M University hosted its second Generative AI Boot Camp for educators and researchers, moving from generative AI toward “agentic” AI and responsible deployment. Housing Watch: Zillow data showed mixed county trends in August 2026, including Madison County up to $314,156 (+0.8%), Choctaw County down to $125,093 (-8.1%), and Cullman County up to $258,633 (+3.9%). Business Growth: H&MV Engineering opened a North American HQ in Dallas, targeting 1,000 U.S. jobs over five years tied to power infrastructure for AI and data centers. Consumer Finance: Alabama’s AGs joined a $694 million multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over alleged predatory auto lending and dealer add-on practices.

Auto Finance Accountability: Alabama’s AG Jeff Jackson joined a $694 million multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over predatory auto lending, requiring stronger consumer disclosures and protections against dealer “packing” unwanted GAP/VSC products. Energy & Cost Pressure: Gas prices in North Alabama are climbing again, with diesel at record levels and regular averaging about $3.99 statewide, squeezing household budgets and local businesses. Medical Cannabis Access: Alabama’s medical cannabis program is finally expanding with a new Bama Bloom dispensary in Athens, as the state works through lingering licensing hurdles after years of litigation. Port & Supply Chain: The Alabama Port Authority says it has “serious concerns” about the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, warning it could reduce competition and raise shipping costs. Housing & Development: Demopolis is moving ahead with a townhouse plan to add at least 500 homes to address demand, while foreclosure filings remain above year-ago levels. Workforce & Policy: Gov. Ivey approved a Workforce Pell program at Lawson State for lineworker training, and Sen. Tommy Tuberville pushed a Ratepayer Protection Act aimed at keeping data-center power costs off families and small businesses. Education Outcomes: Decatur-area ACT results show mixed performance, with some schools below state proficiency rates even as statewide scores rebound.

Artemis III Rehearsal: NASA is gearing up for a 2027 Artemis III “dress rehearsal” that will test Orion plus commercial Moon landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, with three major rocket launches aimed at improving docking and crew safety. Port & Rail: The Alabama Port Authority has filed with the Surface Transportation Board to join the federal review of a proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, warning that reduced rail competition could raise costs and disrupt supply chains. Consumer Finance: Alabama’s neighbors are moving on predatory auto lending—Credit Acceptance is facing a $694 million multistate settlement that includes cash and debt relief, plus new protections around risky loan terms and dealer add-ons. Local Business Growth: RPI Rentals opened a new 32,500-square-foot Birmingham HQ in Irondale, expanding office, warehouse, and equipment capacity for Southeast construction customers. AI & State Scrutiny: GOP attorney general nominee Katherine Robertson says Alabama is pressing OpenAI for transparency after a state subpoena tied to an experimental model’s network access. Energy & Data Centers: Sen. Tommy Tuberville reiterated a plan to keep Alabama power rates frozen for four years if elected, arguing data centers can grow without driving up statewide electricity costs. Food Safety: FDA upgraded a jalapeño recall tied to salmonella to its most serious category, with products distributed in Alabama among 27 states. Community Tech: United Way of West Alabama launched a free mobile app to connect residents to programs, events, volunteer work, and resources across its nine-county area.

Russia Sanctions: U.S. Congress passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, sending it to President Trump; the package targets Russian officials, banks, energy and the “shadow fleet,” and gives Trump tariff authority up to 100% on major Russian oil and gas buyers. Alabama Public Media: Alabama Education Television Foundation Authority approved a $39,500 statewide survey on Alabama Public Television, despite concerns it could be politically biased and funded from rainy-day money. Housing & Cost Pressures: Huntsville jumped to No. 2 for renters in a RentCafe ranking, reflecting rapid growth and rising apartment supply; meanwhile, foreclosure filings rose in August nationwide, with Florida leading new starts. Food Security: Food Bank of North Alabama says Hunger Action Month is ramping up as diesel costs squeeze budgets and donations. Public Safety & Justice: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences received a $262,770 ADECA grant for drug-case equipment, including a toxicology screening analyzer. Local Business: Leeds and Irondale small businesses were named finalists for the 2026 Alabama Small Business Awards. Energy Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel prices in parts of Alabama remain volatile, with some counties seeing the lowest weekly marks around early September. Retail & Development: Enclave acquired a Cullman industrial facility to expand its DST investment offering, while Gonzales, Louisiana advanced a tax-incentive district proposal to attract a BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Trade & Jobs: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. kicked in Sept. 8, and a North Alabama trade group warns the first hit could land in hiring—especially auto-related work—while costs may rise for steel, aluminum, paper, lumber and electronics. Energy Policy: The EPA rolled back power-plant carbon rules that would have tightened emissions starting in 2030, a move that could keep Georgia’s aging coal plants running longer—an issue with spillover implications for Alabama’s power supply. Alabama Economy & Workforce: USPS will hold on-site job fairs in Athens, Harvest, Huntsville and Madison, targeting rural-route hiring ahead of the holiday season. Cyber Education: Mad Security donated $100,000 to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering as it opens a new Huntsville headquarters. Local Governance: Tallapoosa’s vacant property ordinance is delayed to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, after proposed amendments and outreach to property owners. Business & Courts: Buc-ee’s settled two trademark cases, including an $850,000 damages payment tied to beaver-logo merchandise. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Pickens County’s lowest midgrade price at $4.19/gal for the week ending Sept. 5.

Hotel Development: Birmingham City Council approved a 10-year tax abatement for an $82M, 140-room hotel at Railroad Park, including restaurant and retail space, plus a lodging tax rebate under the Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act. Local Regulation: Auburn delayed a downtown lounge moratorium vote to Oct. 6, while Opelika advanced new zoning rules for hemp stores and considered tighter package liquor store limits. Natural Resources Leadership: Gov. Kay Ivey announced ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship will retire, with Ben Stimpson Jr. named to replace him. Manufacturing & Jobs: Coca-Cola UNITED began operations at a new $350M Birmingham campus, consolidating production and distribution and expected to add up to 50 jobs while keeping 750+ roles. Energy & Consumer Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest premium prices in parts of Blount ($4.19) and Covington ($4.29) counties for the week ending Sept. 5, with Alabama’s premium average at $4.62. Critical Minerals: U.S. Critical Minerals outlined a framework to merge and acquire the McAllister tantalum mine and mill in Coosa County, aiming to restart domestic supply. Tourism: Alabama Beaches tourism remains strong, with lodging revenue through July reported at $739M—about $60M ahead of last year.

Coca-Cola Investment: The beverage giant says it will put more than $10 billion into U.S. infrastructure from 2026-2030, including projects tied to Birmingham, Alabama, with the broader system (including bottling partners) supporting about 1 million jobs. Energy Costs at the Pump: GasBuddy reports show Lauderdale County midgrade hitting a low of $3.90 (week ending Sept. 5), while other Alabama counties also show pockets of cheaper premium and diesel—another reminder that fuel prices remain volatile. Insurance Transparency: A new report argues Alabama and other states are not consistently sharing homeowners insurance data from insurer “data calls,” calling it an information crisis as premiums and nonrenewals rise. Banking Leadership: Bank Independent names Andy Mann area president for the Shoals, with longtime leader Bill Howard moving to an advisory role. Workforce Training: Gov. Ivey announces Lawson State Community College becomes the first Alabama program approved for Workforce Pell via its lineworker training. Policy Watch: The Supreme Court blocks Trump-backed mail-ballot changes from taking effect for the 2026 midterms, keeping state procedures in place. Local Business & Growth: Mediacom appoints Elena Kilpatrick as senior VP for its Coastal Region, focusing on network performance and customer experience.

Healthcare & Economy: Marshall Medical Centers made Forbes’ Top Hospitals 2026 list, one of just 12 Alabama hospitals recognized. AI & Workforce: Alabama Community College System is rolling out free “AI Community Caravan” classes across campuses and community sites to boost AI literacy and help residents spot scams. Retail Leadership: The Alabama Retail Association named Alison Hosp as its next president, with Rick Brown retiring after 37 years. Public Media Funding: Alabama Educational Television Foundation Authority will meet to hire a polling firm for a statewide survey tied to APTV funding and PBS approval. Disaster Recovery: Baldwin County awarded more than $12.1M in Hurricane Sally and Zeta recovery grants for water, sewer, drainage and roadway repairs. Energy Costs: Diesel prices in Mobile and Baldwin counties are near record levels, squeezing drivers and trucking businesses. Construction & Housing: New $1M+ building permits include a Southern Energy Credit Union branch in Gardendale and major apartment development in the Birmingham metro. Business Tech: Birmingham-based Vizbodx filed a provisional patent for clinician-first AI to automate ROI placement in infrared thermal imaging. Elections & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Trump mail-ballot restrictions for the midterms, keeping states on existing processes.

Healthcare & Cost Relief: President Trump says the federal government will refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Alabama, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. Household Pressure: Fuel costs remain a strain in Alabama, with economists warning gasoline is taking a bigger bite out of weekly paychecks as prices stay above year-ago levels. Energy & Data Centers: Elon Musk and others claim AI data centers will lower electricity bills, but electricity price data show rates rising faster than overall inflation, raising questions for Alabama’s power-cost outlook. Workforce Development: Alabama is launching a nearly $4 million “Restart” initiative to train 550 adults in Mobile and Baldwin counties for skilled trades, including welding and machining, with a reentry focus. Education & Talent Pipeline: A new report says Alabama teachers face a steep “pay penalty,” earning about 66 cents on the dollar versus peers, fueling retention and recruitment concerns. Local Business & Community: Gulf Shores is moving ahead with nearly $2.58 million in airport terminal upgrades funded by FAA grants, while Selma residents report delayed garbage pickup after equipment and staffing issues. Logistics & Trade: SC Ports and Norfolk Southern add daily intermodal service between Charleston and Huntsville, expanding inland shipping options for Alabama manufacturers. Policy & Markets: Sports Betting Alliance says Alabama bettors are locked out of legal wagering, pushing activity offshore and costing the state revenue.

Healthcare & Cost Relief: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Alabama, will get $500 Obamacare refunds tied to alleged “user fee” overcharges from the Biden-era federal exchange. Local Industry & Growth: An “AI Data Center Revolt” bus tour stopped in Bessemer, with organizers urging residents to demand a say in hyperscale data center deals they say are pushed through under secrecy. Defense & Shipbuilding: Austal USA, the Alabama-based shipbuilder for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, is drawing competing takeover proposals after a second bidder entered the mix. Rural Health: Lakeland Community Hospital in Winston County received new investments, including $490,800 for telehealth and rural patient transportation, as leaders highlight access challenges. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel prices in Alabama remain elevated, with county-by-county lows reported around the Sept. 5 week. Logistics Safety: Amazon says it is pausing use of cargo carrier 21 Air after a deadly Miami runway crash while the NTSB investigation continues.

Health Policy: President Trump says the federal government will refund $500 per person to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Alabama, tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges from the Biden era. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Alabama premium gas averages $4.62 for the week ending Sept. 5, with the lowest premium prices spotted at $4.17 in Montgomery County, $4.19 in Autauga County, $4.30 in Houston County, and $4.89 in Crenshaw County. Economic Development: Huntsville’s industrial growth continues with a new 262,880-square-foot Class A project at Greenbrier Commerce Center in Limestone County, targeting an Aug. 2027 opening. Healthcare Expansion: U.S. Rep. Dale Strong toured Huntsville Hospital’s $150 million Madison Street Tower expansion, adding 120 beds and new intensive care and acute care space by 2027. Retail: Brandy Melville opened its first Alabama store at The Summit in Birmingham. Public Safety Tech: A debate is heating up over automated license plate readers, with Alabama cities weighing the tradeoffs as camera networks expand. Sports & Local Economy: Alabama’s Week 2 win over Kentucky keeps the Crimson Tide in the AP Top 10, while airlines increasingly market travel around big games.