On Monday, Governor Kay Ivey launched what plan for Alabama’s continued economic success. Called “The Game Plan,” the proposed package consists of four economic development bills. Governor Ivey was joined by the leadership of the Alabama Legislature to signal bipartisan support for The Game Plan.
Ivey spoke with reporters at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.
“The Game Plan will position Alabama for a new era of vigorous growth, allowing us to continue our record-breaking economic development success while providing new levels of support for the state’s innovation economy,” said Gov. Ivey. “This package will benefit all Alabamians, those living in both urban centers and rural areas, and ensure our citizens are ready for high-paying careers.”
The Game Plan package includes four bills — or “plays” — that will be introduced during the current session of the Legislature.
According to the governor’s plan:
• Play 1: The Enhancing Alabama’s Economic Progress Act renews the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama program and extends their sunset dates to 2028 while adding strategic enhancements to increase their effectiveness. The Jobs Act is the state’s primary incentives platform, while Growing Alabama primarily speeds development of shovel-ready sites.
• Play 2: The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) will allow the State Industrial Development Authority to accelerate the development of industry-ready sites when available sites are scarce and other states are expanding their site programs.
• Play 3: The Innovation and Small Business Act aims to supercharge growth in Alabama’s innovation economy and support underrepresented businesses and enterprises in rural areas, transforming the state into a hub for technology and innovation.
• Play 4: The Enhancing Transparency Act Enhancing will amend the Jobs Act to require the Alabama Department of Commerce to publish certain incentivized project information on its website. Transparency around important information about companies receiving incentives will serve as a valid public service and increase confidence in the process.
Ivey was joined by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, state Senate President Pro Temp Greg Reed, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels.
Greg Canfield is the secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“The Game Plan represents the state’s next-generation strategic economic development framework, designed to future-proof Alabama’s economy and provide a blueprint for growth that lifts families and communities across the state,” said Secretary Canfield. “It will keep us competitive for high-impact projects as our neighboring states are aggressively escalating their economic development efforts.”
Canfield and Ivey credit the Jobs Act with bringing $22 billion in new capital investment and 40,000 jobs to the state.
The jobs created by these projects will pay an average hourly wage of $23.42, a figure that is 31% more than the state’s median wage, according to Commerce data.
If the Legislature does not renew the Jobs Act, it will expire on July 31 of this year, as will the Growing Alabama tax credit program. State and local governments will not be able to offer the incentives that the state has been offering over the last dozen years.
Ivey has announced that economic development projects in 2022 will bring over $10 billion in new capital investment to the state, setting a new annual record.
“Our goal is simple — we want to have the best incentives not only in the Southeast but in the nation as a whole,” said Lt. Gov. Ainsworth. “Reauthorizing these programs is going to be essential in attracting high-paying, long-lasting 21st Century jobs.”
“When you look at the issues Alabamians care about, economic development and job creation are at the top of that list. States around our region are all competing to attract jobs and create economic growth,” said Sen. Reed. “We need to make sure we are best positioned to attract these good-quality jobs to communities in our state.”
“Industries across the country are trying to come here because of our great employees, our low taxes, and because of our great quality of life,” said Speaker Ledbetter. “From a competitive standpoint, we want to make sure we have the tools necessary to bring them here and keep them here.”
“Growing Alabama’s economy and creating good jobs for our citizens is something we can all agree on,” said Sen. Singleton.
“We will continue to promote practical and meaningful legislation and policies that highlight our pro-growth, pro-innovation platform,” said Leader Daniels.
Critics have criticized the state’s incentives program as the state government picking winners and losers. However, this package seems to have bipartisan support from the leadership of both political parties, and there has been no public opposition from any legislators. It appears to be on the fast track toward passage.
Tuesday will be day 5 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.
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