Paul DeMarco: Alabama Construction Industry important pillar of State’s Economy
Since the pandemic, the Alabama economy has had its ups and downs. However, the good news is that the business climate in Alabama has outperformed other states. One sector of the Alabama business community that has really increased is the construction industry. A recent study by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama showed that between 2015 to 2021 there was a 97 percent increase in commercial construction output to the tune of $9.4 billion. When you look at the direct impacts on all output payroll and employment, the earnings were over $11 billion. Most importantly the workforce in the Alabama construction industry has reached an estimated 200,000 jobs in this period. For Alabama, agriculture and manufacturing are the leading industries in the state. You can now add the construction industry, which comprises 6.7 percent of Alabama’s gross domestic product and creates over 7 percent of the jobs in the state. All in all, the construction industry creates more than a half a billion in taxes paid to the state. While Alabama has plenty of both public and private building needs, some of the state’s construction firms compete across the Southeast and Nation as some of the United States’ most productive companies in the industry. As Alabama has grown, the state economy has diversified to provide more job opportunities and income for state coffers. The construction industry has now become one of the essential drivers of the Alabama economy. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X, formerly Twitter, at @Paul_DeMarco
Off the Market: Power Couple Jessica Taylor and Leland Whaley announce their elopement
Alabama’s most eligible bachelorette, Jessica Taylor, is officially married! Oh, and so is Alabama’s most successful conservative talk radio host. Leland Whaley announced the big news on Sunday, September 15th, via his Facebook page. In a FaceBook post, Whaley announced he and former U.S. congressional and senate candidate Jessica Taylor were married on September 4 at The Abbey of San Galgano in Tuscany, Italy. The wedding follows a quiet announcement to family and friends they were engaged in June. The newlyweds also celebrated Taylor’s 40th birthday on the trip. Fox News described Taylor as a “viral sensation” when one of her campaign ads committing to take on The Squad garnered national attention. She finished third in the 2020 GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District, narrowly missing the runoff in a race that Congressman Barry Moore would go on to win. She went on to run for U.S. Senate in 2022, dropping out to endorse Mike Durant. She owns a successful grant-writing business, Simple Grants, based out of Hoover. According to his bio on the Talk 99.5 website, “Alabama native Leland Whaley reported and managed news rooms for two television stations in Georgia before moving home to Alabama to work for WBRC Fox 6. Leland specialized in breaking news live coverage. While in television he not only covered hurricanes but also organized relief efforts, raised millions of dollars of aid and delivered it to disaster victims. Leland took home an Emmy and several Associated Press awards for documentary and series reporting during his television career. The Associated Press named Leland “Best Reporter” in Alabama. Leland also filed reports for CNN and ABC News. Leland has worked in public service as a District Director for then US Congressman Bob Riley. Leland was a key campaign manager for Bob Riley’s successful 2002 race for Governor. Leland served in the Riley Administration as Assistant Director in the Alabama Development office overseeing the effort to preserve and recruit military jobs in the Base Realignment and Closure Process. Leland also directed the Alabama Film Office for ADO. Leland has advised dozens of conservative organizations, causes and candidates and has lectured on communication strategy throughout the state of Alabama.” Editorial note: Alabama Today congratulates the couple and wishes them a lifetime of happiness.
