The state’s top leaders stood side-by-side Monday to kick off the Game Plan, a four-part legislative package to fuel job creation and secure Alabama’s economic future. 

Championing the proposal alongside Gov. Kay Ivey were Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; leaders of both legislative chambers, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and President Pro Tem Reed; and Minority Caucus leaders Bobby Singleton and Anthony Daniels. 

“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,” Ivey said. “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.”

Opening the event was Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, who has led economic development for the executive branch since 2011. 

“Clearly, the Jobs Act and Growing Alabama tax credit have been a win for Alabama. The simple fact is that we need to remain competitive in this hunt for new investment and jobs,” Canfield said. “But we’re thinking bigger than that. We’re asking the Legislature to approve the game plan package to pursue growth projects for all areas of the state.”

Among the seven officials, Monday’s kickoff represented the most powerful indication yet of the priority being placed on incentive renewal and expansion efforts this legislative session.

Ainsworth chaired the commission on renewing and improving the initial package of economic incentives passed in 2015, which are set to expire this summer.

“Our goal is simple. We want to have the best incentives not only in the Southeast, but in the nation as a whole,” Ainsworth said. “Reauthorizing these programs is going to be essential in attracting high-paying, long-lasting 21st century jobs.”

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed pointed to the scoreboard in his remarks.

“When we think about 40 new [project] commitments and $22 billion worth of capital investment, it’s a reason to get excited,” he said. “And this is since 2015 when we first launched the Alabama Jobs Act.”

Reed’s counterpart in the Senate, Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, said “Growing Alabama’s economy and creating good jobs for our citizens is something we can all agree on.”

Singleton promoted the package’s opportunity to raise the household median income. Jobs created by these projects will pay an average hourly wage of $23.42, a figure that is 31% higher than the state’s median wage, according to Commerce data.

Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter highlighted the importance of rural site development.

“To keep Alabama competitive among our neighboring states, we need to reinvest in industry and development sites across our state.” he said. “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.

“From a competitive standpoint, we want to make sure we have the tools necessary to bring them here and keep them here.”

House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels introduced the Innovation & Small Business Act.

“The current success of our tech infrastructure in the state of Alabama shows that we have a talented and motivated workforce of entrepreneurs and employees,” Daniels said. “This legislation enabled us to expand entrepreneurship, drive economic growth, transform our state hub for technology and innovation.”

All told, the Game Plan package includes four bills — or “plays” — that will be introduced during the current session of the Legislature:

• Play 1: 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: Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act – Allows the State Industrial Development Authority to accelerate the development of industry-ready sites at a time when available sites are scarce and other states are expanding their site programs.
• Play 3: 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: Enhancing Transparency Act Enhancing – Amends the Jobs Act to require the Alabama Department of Commerce to publish certain incentivized project information on its web site. Transparency around important information related to companies receiving incentives will serve a valid public service and increase confidence in the process.

With the Legislature returning to its regular session Tuesday, the renewal and enhancement effort will take centerfield.

“Let’s play ball,” Ivey said.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. Follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 Legislative Session.