AGP Executive Report

Data Centers Policy: State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) said Alabama may not pursue a statewide data-center moratorium, but could allow “local legislation” and push a “tax them like everybody else” approach to cover infrastructure impacts. Property Tax Relief: Alabama’s 7% cap on property tax reappraisal increases is set to expire in 2027, and lawmakers are weighing whether to extend it after counties say the cap has served its purpose. Jobs Watch: Walker County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in July, while Alabama reported year-over-year wage and salary employment growth, with construction and manufacturing hitting record high weekly wages. Local Economy & Infrastructure: ALDOT announced an SR-196 resurfacing project in Geneva County starting Aug. 25, with lane closures and an expected fall 2026 completion. Business/Community Spotlight: The Wharf and Buffalo Rock Pepsi pledged $5,000 to Alabama Credit Union’s Secret Meals for Hungry Children program as part of the Pepsi Summer Adventure for Hunger. Sports & Talent Pipeline: Alabama named sophomore Keelon Russell as starting QB for the Sept. 5 opener vs. East Carolina.

College Football: Alabama is ending its QB competition by naming sophomore Keelon Russell as the Crimson Tide’s starter, a move expected to reshape the offense with his dual-threat style. Trade & Tariffs: Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he backs Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to walk away from a “bad deal,” while warning Canada may respond with tariff-for-tariff pressure that targets imports from politically significant U.S. states including Alabama. Retail Payments: Walmart Tap to Pay is set to roll out Aug. 24 at select stores and Sam’s Club locations, with Alabama availability expected to vary by site. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Alabama fuel prices easing in the week ending Aug. 15, including the lowest E85 at $4.59 in Dallas County and regular gas lows such as $3.69 in Crenshaw County. Food & Community: The Wharf and Buffalo Rock Pepsi will donate $5,000 to Alabama Credit Union’s Secret Meals for Hungry Children program. Public Safety Grants: State Farm’s Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program awarded $10,000 grants to seven Alabama volunteer fire departments for equipment and responder safety.

Retail Payments: Walmart will roll out Tap to Pay at select Walmart and Sam’s Club stores starting Aug. 24, with Alabama included in a later phase (Apple Pay support should follow once terminals are live). Tax Policy: Starting Sept. 1, Alabama will exempt sales tax on credit card transaction fees under Senate Bill 221, a move aimed at clearing up confusion for retailers and potentially lowering costs for consumers. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded Publix frozen berry recalls tied to E. coli to its highest risk level (Class I), following reports of illnesses and hospitalizations. Public Safety Funding: Gov. Kay Ivey announced a $115,179 DOJ Project Safe Neighborhoods grant for a Prichard crime task force. Local Business & Community: Leadership Tuscaloosa named its 48-member 2026-27 class, and Gadsden broke ground on $7 million tennis courts at Gadsden State Community College. Health & Compliance: Alabama’s Real Estate Commission delayed a vote on a controversial earnest money rule, keeping the dispute process in limbo. Tech & Defense: Silentium Defence opened a North Carolina North American HQ (Apex) for passive radar, highlighting continued defense-industry hiring momentum.

Food Safety & Retail: Publix is changing express checkout in-store (phasing out the “10 items or less” rule) and expanding its GreenWise frozen berry recall after E. coli concerns, with the FDA upgrading the recall to its highest risk level; Canada says no evidence the recalled berries reached its market. Legal & Media: An Alabama federal jury ordered The New York Times to pay $9.25 million in a defamation case tied to a mistaken report about a University of Alabama basketball player’s presence at a deadly shooting. Banking & Local Growth: Bank Independent opened a new Hartselle sales office, signaling continued investment in the community. Health Care Leadership: NEA Baptist Memorial named Craig Earley as CEO, continuing a broader leadership shuffle across the Baptist Memorial system. Energy & Business Costs: GasBuddy data shows Mobile County’s lowest premium price at $3.79 for the week ending Aug. 15, underscoring ongoing fuel price volatility. Public Policy & Housing: Cities are turning to AI to speed housing permitting, supported by new federal funding for local permitting innovation. Workforce & Corrections: Alabama’s pardons and paroles pilot is expanding to include workforce development referrals for people under supervision. Business Expansion: BJ’s Wholesale Club announced a new Tyler, Texas store, with the company also listing an Alabama location in its expansion pipeline.

Airport Authority Push: Tuscaloosa leaders are weighing creating an airport authority for Tuscaloosa National Airport, aiming to speed decisions and attract funding partners as major projects move forward. Collegiate Sports Leadership: UAB deputy AD Katreshia Louis-Verrett was named North Carolina A&T’s new athletic director, starting Sept. 1. Manufacturing & Trade: Hyundai is reviewing plans to expand “Metaplant America” in Georgia to as many as 800,000 units annually, accelerating U.S. production timelines amid tariff pressure. Site Selection Watch: Voyager Technologies is considering expanding its HQ and is shopping incentives across states, including Alabama, as Colorado weighs a package for the project. Public Health & Consumer Safety: FDA upgraded Publix GreenWise frozen berry recalls to the highest risk level over possible E. coli; Prestige Brands recalled Clear Eyes itchy eye relief for sterility concerns. Local Economy & Growth: Dora won a $1M ARC grant for a 250,000-gallon water tower to support Heritage Landing development. Business & Fraud Signals: An Alabama tax preparer faces charges tied to a scheme that may have cost the IRS over $65M; a Dekalb County contractor was indicted for alleged USPS wire fraud. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show Alabama fuel prices easing, with regular averaging about $3.59 statewide in the week ending Aug. 15.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded Publix’s frozen GreenWise organic blueberry and mixed-berry recall to a Class I, its most serious risk level, after E. coli illnesses (12 reported in Florida and Georgia; four hospitalized) tied to the products. Fraud & Enforcement: A Birmingham man, Michael Shine, was indicted on federal charges tied to preparing false tax returns worth about $65 million in improper IRS losses, allegedly exploiting geothermal heat pump credits. Defense & Aerospace: Fort Hood resumed Apache training flights after a fatal Aug. 12 crash near Salado killed two pilots; the Army says it completed a safety review while investigators continue looking into the cause. Local Economy & Growth: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox recommended a record $356 million FY2027 budget, including pay increases and public safety funding, while cutting operating budgets across departments. Energy & Development: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $52+ million in GoMESA-funded coastal projects, aimed at water quality, boating access, and environmental outreach. Tech & Policy: U.S. Sen. Katie Britt urged a middle path on Alabama data centers—rejecting both “every corner” development and statewide moratoriums while pushing for community input on power and costs. Business & Hiring: Forbes named Alabama employers among its 2026 best workplaces by state, highlighting major health systems, universities, and insurers. Community Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data put Valley among Alabama cities tied for 69th in July scam reports, with one reported incident and a $32.39 loss.

Food Safety Recall: FDA upgraded Publix’s frozen GreenWise organic blueberry and mixed-berry recall to a Class I, its highest risk level, citing potential E. coli contamination; affected 10-oz items were distributed in Alabama and seven other states and should be discarded or returned for a refund. Defense & Manufacturing: Hanwha Defense USA won the U.S. Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon contract for K9 Mobile Howitzer prototypes—six 8x8 vehicles delivered on an accelerated schedule with options for 12 more—supporting testing and potential future production; Hanwha is standing up howitzer production in Opelika, Alabama. Local Governance & Data Centers: Harpersville approved a 6-month data center moratorium and will hold public informational sessions to study economic and infrastructure impacts. Business Growth: Red Light Method opened its 18th location in Huntsville, marking the third opening by its Tennessee-Alabama franchise group in just over a year. Fraud & Enforcement: Federal prosecutors indicted a Pinson tax preparer and a Center Point tax preparer on alleged schemes involving false tax returns tied to geothermal heat pump credits. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Alabama cities including Steele and New Hope tied for low-to-mid ranks in July scam reports, with online purchase scams driving losses. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest E85 price in Lauderdale County at $3.39 for the week ending Aug. 8.

Defense & Space R&D: Auburn University opened a $30 million, 50,000-square-foot Applied Research Institute lab in Huntsville, expanding rapid prototyping and radiation-effects testing for defense and space partners. Army Procurement: The U.S. Army awarded Hanwha Defense USA a $100.3 million contract for prototype K9 Mobile Howitzers under the Mobile Tactical Cannon program, starting a multi-year evaluation phase. Cyber/Physical Security: U.S. Northern Command warned that drone-swarm defense gaps leave some U.S. bases exposed, citing insufficient sensors and counter-drone effectors. Local Business & Consumer Protection: Alabama will receive $595,421 from a $45 million multistate settlement with Block/Cash App over alleged fraud and weak customer protections. Workforce & Training: A new construction training push in the region targets skilled-worker shortages by pairing hands-on builds with employer connections. Education & Safety: Tuscaloosa City Schools approved adding cameras to high school parking lots and recognized top Adopt-A-School partners. Community Growth: Gulf Shores opened its new high school, a $157M facility built to expand capacity and modernize learning. Tourism & Economy: Visit Tuscaloosa promoted staff to expand sports tourism and marketing. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported a lowest diesel price of $4.99 in Chambers County for the week ending Aug. 8.

Defense & Manufacturing: Hanwha Aerospace’s U.S. unit, Hanwha Defense USA, was selected to build prototypes for the U.S. Army’s Mobile Tactical Cannon program, a potential $262.9M effort tied to wheeled 155mm artillery modernization and testing over about four years, with Hanwha previously leasing an Opelika facility to localize production. Missile Defense Jobs: Raytheon’s expanded Redstone Missile Integration Facility is tied to a $745.4M contract to produce and sustain SM-3 Block IIA interceptors, supporting Huntsville-area hiring and capacity growth. Insurance & Courts: The Alabama Supreme Court ruled insurers must share certain claims-handling procedures in related litigation, tempering a lower court order in a State Farm dispute over roof damage estimates and trade-secret protections. Small Business Compliance: Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen praised a U.S. Treasury rule that permanently removes beneficial ownership reporting for U.S. small businesses under the Corporate Transparency Act, citing major cost savings. Cybersecurity Education: PROJECTXYZ donated $250,000 to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering Foundation, funding student research, internships, and plans for a female residence hall. Workforce & Training: Trenholm State Community College launched a Ford Technician Ready Accelerated Credential partnership aimed at fast-tracking auto tech training and dealership hiring. Local Business Oversight: Opelika revoked Wild Wing Cafe’s license and set a hearing for Top Shelf Alternatives amid allegations tied to products sold from a Geneva Street location. Consumer Safety & Preparedness: Alabama authors released Flood Help 101 to guide families through flood risk, insurance basics, claims, and recovery. Fraud Watch: The BBB of North Alabama warned of a remote data entry scam tied to fake job postings and fake-check schemes.

Healthcare Leadership: DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa named Dennis Fisher as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing more than 20 years of healthcare HR experience focused on retention, workforce strategy and reducing agency reliance. Local Business & Retail: In South Cullman, the Kohl and Weir family’s long-running KFC franchise permanently closed, citing slowing sales and tougher competition—ending 58 years tied to the brand. Housing Development: Thompson Thrift is moving ahead with Rivet, a 300-unit apartment community in Chelsea along the U.S. 280 corridor, targeting late-2027 delivery. EV Push: Drive Electric Alabama announced six free electric vehicle showcases across the state from Aug. 29 through Oct. 10, including stops in Mobile/Birmingham/Huntsville areas, Cullman, and Rickwood Caverns State Park. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reported Alabama premium prices averaging $4.54 for the week ending Aug. 8, with Madison County’s lowest premium at $3.76 and Jackson County’s lowest diesel at $4.99. Food Safety: The FDA issued a Class II recall for Cocoa Crunch Protein Cereal kits in 10 states due to an undeclared soy allergen. Cyber & Risk: A loan company breach notification from Heights Finance says a third-party cloud platform was compromised, exposing sensitive customer data including SSNs and bank details.

Jackson Hospital Deal: Jackson Hospital and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama reached a four-year agreement that clears a path to keep the hospital open, contingent on the hospital emerging from bankruptcy—another sign of how insurer contracts can determine whether Alabama hospitals survive. Education & Safety: Tuscaloosa City Schools is set to vote Tuesday on adding 16 security cameras across five district locations, with Alabama Power providing and maintaining the system and the district controlling access to data. Workforce & Local Hiring: The Tuscaloosa Area Career Center is pointing job seekers to near-term openings, including a Helping Hearts Senior Care hiring event and temporary game-day work tied to the University of Alabama. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Alabama’s average gas price fell to about $3.57 a gallon, while county-level listings show premium and diesel prices still varying widely across the state. Tech & Philanthropy: Huntsville’s ProjectXYZ is donating $250,000 to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering to support a research institute and a new women’s dorm. Manufacturing Leadership: Hyundai is swapping manufacturing leadership at its U.S. Metaplant, signaling a shift from production stabilization into expansion and efficiency improvements. Public Services: Prichard is moving to a three-day-a-week garbage schedule starting Aug. 25 after an emergency contract, as residents report ongoing trash delays.

Defense & Manufacturing: RTX won a $22.9B U.S. Navy contract to massively scale Tomahawk cruise missile production, aiming to ramp output from about 60 missiles a year to more than 1,000 annually, with Huntsville, Alabama among key production sites. Industrial Growth: Hadrian secured a $360M revolving credit facility to expand its automated U.S. aerospace and defense factory network, adding capacity across Alabama and other states. Energy & Data Centers: Alabama’s AMP and PowerBox Technology launched a smart energy pilot at the AMP Power Research Lab to manage complex on-site power systems as battery and solar use grows. Local Economy & Infrastructure: U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures announced $8.5M for Montgomery Regional Airport runway upgrades to extend pavement life and support regional air service. Business Climate & Policy: State Auditor Andrew Sorrell renewed calls to remove Flock license-plate cameras, arguing they violate Fourth Amendment rights. Workforce & Education: Central Alabama Community College will host a free AI “Community Caravan” for beginners, encouraging residents to bring laptops. Community & Tourism: Gulf Shores proposed closing the Canal Park boat launch to reshape Waterway Village with parking and greenspace, while the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber returns its Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off at The Wharf.

Aerospace & Jobs: Airbus says it’s investing more than $82 million in Mobile, including upgrades at its U.S. manufacturing site and a new Airbus Central Distribution Center expected to start in Q1 2027, adding 50 jobs. Defense & Training: The U.S. Army will outsource initial helicopter pilot training under Flight School Next at Fort Rucker, using Robinson R66 aircraft, with the contractor training 800–1,500 pilots per year while the Army keeps control of standards and safety. Manufacturing Expansion: Callan JMB, Bia Power Systems and Alabama State University announced a $60 million joint venture in Brewton to manufacture transformers and electrical equipment, targeting 150–250 direct jobs. Retail Development: Tanger is renovating Tanger Outlets Foley and bringing in Shake Shack as part of a broader food, beverage and entertainment expansion. Local Business & Community: Selma is asking businesses to help fund Memorial Stadium scoreboard and bleacher repairs, with a special account set up for tax-exempt donations. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Cullman ranked 8th among Alabama cities for scam reports in July, with six reports and losses totaling $4,772.56. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade price in Choctaw County hit $4.29 for the week ending Aug. 8.

Aerospace Jobs: Airbus says it will invest more than $82 million in Mobile projects, including upgrades at its U.S. manufacturing site and a new Airbus Central Distribution Center slated to start in Q1 2027, creating 50 new jobs. Defense Contracting: The U.S. Army will outsource initial helicopter pilot training under its Flight School Next program at Fort Rucker, Alabama, using Robinson R66 aircraft and training 800–1,500 pilots per year while keeping standards and safety oversight in-house. Military Safety: The Army temporarily halted Apache training flights after a fatal crash near Fort Hood that killed two pilots; the stand-down remains until investigators determine the root cause. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows Marshall County hit the week’s low midgrade price at $3.73 (week ending Aug. 8), while Alabama’s midgrade average fell to $4.14. Tax & Investing: A Birmingham precious-metals dealer highlights Alabama’s dual tax advantage for physical gold and silver—no state sales tax on qualifying purchases and no extra state capital gains tax beyond federal. Local Business Help: Newbern will host a free small business support session Aug. 20 at Town Hall with one-on-one planning and ongoing support options.

Data Center Governance: State Sen. Arthur Orr backed giving local governments more say on data center siting, pointing to community concerns around a planned crypto mining facility near Somerville in rural Morgan County. Local Government Finance: Vestavia Hills ended fiscal 2025 in strong shape, with revenues up to $84.2 million and a growing general fund balance, driven largely by sales and use tax gains. Economic Development & Workforce: DeKalb Works earned an Innovate Alabama Network designation to launch talent attraction and workforce development initiatives in DeKalb County. Alabama Business Spotlight: Chris’ Hotdogs in Montgomery reopened after new owners overhauled operations and lifted its health rating to 98. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest midgrade prices in several Alabama counties/cities in the week ending Aug. 8, including $3.69 in Jefferson County and $3.36 regular in Montgomery County. Investor Housing Demand: Realtor.com research flagged Birmingham as a top metro for investor homebuyer share in 2025, reinforcing the “Magic City” growth narrative.

Defense Contracting: The U.S. Army awarded a $10 billion, 26-year “Flight School Next” contract to M1 Support Services to overhaul rotary-wing pilot training at Fort Rucker, shifting initial instruction to a contractor-run model and training 800 to 1,500 pilots annually. Aviation Procurement: Airbus Helicopters won a $115.4 million deal for up to 12 more UH-72B Lakota helicopters for the Army, with work through 2030. Local Economic Development: Brookwood set a Sept. 1 meeting to address proposed Industrial Parkway data center projects, with limited speaking slots for residents first. Workforce & Innovation: DeKalb Works earned an Innovate Alabama Network designation to expand talent attraction and workforce development in DeKalb County. Manufacturing Expansion: Gov. Kay Ivey announced 2A USA’s $32 million Auburn expansion, adding 50 jobs. Community Business Moves: West Alabama Ready Mix cut a ribbon on a new Jasper facility. Public Safety & Courts: A wrongful death suit dropped a former Escambia County deputy as a defendant, while criminal proceedings continue. Business Climate: Realtor.com’s investor report says Birmingham led major metros in net investor homebuyer share in 2025. Industry & Policy: Windom Galliher named Derek Trotter, plus two others, as partners.