AGP Executive Report

Defense & Industry: Alabama’s defense legacy—from Muscle Shoals’ World War I nitrate work to today’s missile defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, aviation training, cyber operations, and depot maintenance—shows how the state’s industrial base keeps feeding national security. Retail & Jobs: Family Dollar’s ongoing shutdown of hundreds of stores is leaving many shoppers with fewer low-cost options and raising concerns for workers and rural communities that relied on the chain. Food Safety: Publix is recalling GreenWise frozen organic whole blueberries (10-ounce bags, lot code 60401, best-by Feb. 9, 2028) after reports of 12 E. coli O145 illnesses tied to the product, affecting stores in Alabama and seven other states. Small Business: Tommy House Studios (Montgomery) says it’s expanding services to include AI search optimization alongside traditional marketing, aiming to help Alabama small businesses show up in AI-generated local results. Transportation Disruption: A gasoline tanker fire near I-65 Exit 164 in Montgomery County led to a several-hour closure of the southbound ramp to U.S. 31. Local Economy & Growth: Miller Family Dairy in Crooked Oak held a ribbon cutting for a new processing facility supported by a $1.9 million Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries grant. Community Business Notes: Vestavia Hills’ Andy’s Garden Center opened a new Farm Market, and ZOZO’s Kitchen opened in Homewood, returning the Cassimus family to an independent concept.

Food Safety: Publix is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10 oz, lot 60401, best by Feb. 9, 2028) due to possible E. coli O145:H28 contamination, with affected products sold in Alabama and seven other states; customers are urged to return or discard items bought July 3, 2026 or earlier. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy data for the week ending June 27 shows Alabama regular prices averaging $3.47 per gallon, with notable lows including $3.09 in Tuscaloosa County and $3.09 in Shelby County; premium averages also eased statewide to $4.35. Workforce & Small Business: The SBA announced low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Alabama small businesses and nonprofits hit by drought starting Dec. 1, 2025, covering dozens of counties statewide. Local Business Climate: Athens Main Street installed four downtown wayfinding kiosks funded by Main Street Alabama to help visitors navigate restaurants, shops, parking, and attractions. Industry & Labor: A miner died after an underground machinery accident at Warrior Met Coal in Berry; federal Mine Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports Montgomery County’s lowest premium price at $3.64/gal for the week ending June 27, with Lee County’s lowest midgrade at $3.53/gal—another reminder that Alabama fuel prices can swing fast heading into summer travel. State Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey signed Alabama’s comprehensive Personal Data Protection Act, setting a May 1, 2027 compliance start for businesses meeting new data thresholds. Workforce & Housing: Ivey awarded $6.3M in weatherization grants to cut energy bills for low-income households, while Hale County’s rural transportation advisory committee is set for July 21. Economic Development: Regions Bank announced its acquisition of Montgomery’s Frazer Lanier Company, and Google’s $1.5B Jackson County data center expansion is expected to bring 1,000 construction jobs. Tourism & Industry: Alabama unveiled the Alabama Catfish Trail, pitching the state’s catfish economy and 50 fishing, dining and shopping stops. Business & Community: Watchman Media Group papers swept Alabama Press Association awards, including business reporting recognition.

College Sports Compliance: Alabama self-reported six Level III NCAA violations for 2025-26, including one football staff contact during an evaluation period and two student workers fired for sports wagering on Kalshi. Privacy & Regulation: Alabama passed and Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, a comprehensive consumer privacy law taking effect May 1, 2027, with compliance timelines now set for businesses. Healthcare & Finance: Jackson Hospital in Montgomery will stay open after a verbal agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, pausing an immediate closure threat while a longer-term plan is pursued. Economic Development: Regions Financial closed its acquisition of Montgomery’s Frazer Lanier Company, expanding municipal finance and investment banking services. Energy & Industry: A Cordova coal miner died in a machinery accident at Warrior Met Coal in Tuscaloosa County; officials say foul play isn’t suspected. Environment & Tourism: Alabama deployed the 408-foot Argosy VI to the Artificial Reef Zone off Orange Beach, adding a new large shipwreck dive and fishing destination.

Data Centers & Theft: Cargo thieves are targeting AI data center construction sites, with investigators recovering about $1.3 million in stolen equipment near Chicago, including copper wire reported stolen in Alabama—another reminder that the AI buildout is creating new supply-chain crime opportunities. Energy & Industry: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a “Made in the USA” Day proclamation highlighting the state’s manufacturing base (280,000 workers, 4,000 enterprises) and tying it to workforce and investment efforts. Small Business Hiring: NFIB’s June Jobs Report says Alabama small businesses are still hiring but can’t find qualified workers, with 32% reporting job openings they can’t fill. Housing Snapshot: Public housing households in Covington County averaged $14,125 in income in 2025 (212 units, 100% occupied), while Escambia County households averaged $19,668 (148 units, 97% occupied). Food & Consumer Safety: Utz Quality Foods recalled certain Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips nationwide after a third-party dry milk ingredient raised salmonella concerns. Local Economy & Growth: QTS says it’s planning a new data center campus outside Milan, while also pointing to its Alabama operator role—keeping the sector’s expansion on the radar for Alabama business.

Banking & Cybersecurity: River Bank & Trust says a ransomware attack hit its network environment around June 16, with the bank identifying the activity June 19 and taking impacted systems offline while it investigates whether any personal data was accessed. Manufacturing & Policy: Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation for July 2 as “Made in the USA” Day, highlighting Alabama’s manufacturing workforce and export strength. Courts & Consumer Regulation: The Alabama Supreme Court declined to block a 2025 vape law, upholding the state’s authority to regulate a potentially harmful product. Energy & Jobs: A miner died in an underground machinery accident at Warrior Met Coal in Tuscaloosa County; multiple agencies are investigating. Retail Expansion: Wawa opened a new Mobile store on July 2, part of a plan to add more locations across Mobile and Baldwin counties over the next few years. Local Business Enforcement: Opelika police and state agencies arrested two business owners after illegal hemp flowers were found during searches tied to vape and CBD shops. Economic Development: Karis Critical withdrew a rezoning request for a data center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, after community pushback—another reminder of how local planning can shape tech investment timelines.

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.