Birmingham Lands $20 Million to Revitalize North Communities!

Big news, ChumCity! Birmingham just scored a major win – a whopping $20 million in redevelopment cash! This isn't just pocket change; it's a game-changer aimed at breathing new life into North Birmingham, Northside, Smithfield, and Pratt communities. Think better job access and a brighter future!

Mayor's Dream Realized

Mayor Randall Woodfin, a Northside native, is understandably stoked. "It's been a long-held dream to see real reinvestment in this community," he said, emphasizing the opportunity residents deserve to thrive in Birmingham's booming economy.

The Recompete Program: What's the Deal?

This $20 million comes courtesy of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration through their Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program. The goal? To boost employment rates in areas where folks aged 25-54 are struggling to find work. It's all about local solutions and targeted investments!

Reinvest Birmingham: 5 Things You Need to Know

So, what's this money actually do?

1. Good Jobs Galore: "Reinvest Birmingham," the project fueled by this grant, is all about creating and connecting people with quality employment opportunities.
2. Timeline: Expect the first few months to be focused on getting the ball rolling – hiring staff and setting up programs. After that, the city's aiming for a five-year rollout.
3. North Birmingham Focus: Why North Birmingham? It's an intentional strategy to tackle economic injustice and create real change where it's needed most.
4. Coreata’ R. Houser's Vision: The Interim Recompete Plan Coordinator emphasized this investment is more than just money – it's about empowering residents to thrive.
5. Metro-Wide Impact: When more people are employed, the entire region benefits! It boosts the tax base, strengthens the community, and fuels spending.

Brighter Days Ahead!

Get ready, Birmingham! This funding is a massive step towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for everyone. It's time to reinvest in our communities and watch them flourish!

Fultondale City Salaries Revealed!

Ever wondered what folks in Fultondale's city government are raking in? Well, wonder no more! Public records give us a peek at the annual salaries, and the range is pretty wild – from just over a hundred bucks to over $120,000!

Who's Cashing the Biggest Checks?

Turns out some of Fultondale's finest are bringing home some serious bacon. We're talking potentially double the city's median household income of around $79,000!

Top Earners: Fire & Police Take the Lead

Leading the pack is Fire Chief Justin McKenzie, pulling in around $128,000 a year. Deputy Fire Marshall Jason Murrell isn't far behind, making around $91,000. Police Chief Marcel Walker is also doing pretty well, with around $87,000 annually.

Where Does the Mayor Fit In?

Mayor Larry Holcomb's salary comes in lower down the list, sitting at around $48,000 a year.

Curious About the Rest?

Here's the list of every employee working for the city of Fultondale and their annual salary. One thing though, the city didn't include positions on the list.

Birmingham's Booming! Mayor Woodfin Credits Biden's Agenda

Birmingham's buzzing with economic growth and redevelopment, and Mayor Randall Woodfin is giving credit where it's due: the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America Agenda.

"Things are looking up!" Mayor Woodfin exclaimed during a recent virtual panel with President Biden. He highlighted significant progress in the city over the past four years.

Wages Up, Jobs Up!

"Wages, income, and employment have been on the rise," Woodfin shared. "The average income has increased by more than $10,000 annually, and we’ve exceeded pre-pandemic employment by over 17,000 jobs!"

The Mayor didn't mince words, stating, "Birmingham is seeing job creation. We’re seeing growth in innovative industries and opportunity. And I can say without a doubt, that that is directly related to the Biden Administration and your investments and support.”

Investing in B'ham's Future

The Investing in America agenda focuses on bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and creating good-paying jobs. Alabama has received a whopping $12.5 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments, and $7.1 billion in public investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, according to the White House.

Local Projects Making a Difference

Here are just a few local projects getting a boost:

• Jefferson County School District Energy Upgrades: $15 million is going towards energy-efficient improvements at seven schools!
• Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads: A $21.7 million redevelopment project is improving roads with a focus on safety and accessibility.
• Railroad Crossing Elimination on Shelby County Road 52: Nearly $42 million to eliminate dangerous railroad crossings!
• Reconnecting 4th Avenue North: $15 million to redesign Birmingham's Black MainStreet, reconnecting neighborhoods and businesses.
• Birmingham Induction Melting Upgrade: Up to $75 million for American Cast Iron Pipe Company to reduce carbon emissions.

Auto Industry Thriving!

Woodfin also pointed to the success of Alabama's auto-manufacturing industry, thanks to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. In fact, Alabama was the number one auto export state in America last year!

Revitalizing North Birmingham

President Biden inquired about efforts to revitalize North Birmingham, which Woodfin identified as historically disadvantaged. The Mayor highlighted the Reinvest Birmingham project, recently awarded $20 million to create jobs in the area.

A Bright Future for Birmingham!

"The people of Birmingham are excited!" Woodfin concluded. "Excited for a bright future, excited to see themselves in it, and their families. And for us, a great city. So, we truly thank you.”

Aerostar Soars Higher at Mobile's Aeroplex!

Big news, ChumCity! Aerostar, an aerospace repair whiz based at Brookley's Aeroplex, is about to inject a whopping $4.7 million into our local economy. Get this: they're bringing 50 NEW jobs to the table over the next three years, bumping their crew up to a solid 110!

Sweet Salaries & Smart Investments

We're talking about jobs with salaries averaging around $50,000, folks! And the Mobile Chamber confirms the city is backing this expansion with some strategic tax breaks – $61,600 total, covering construction sales tax and property tax abatements. Smart move, Mobile!

Mobile: A Hub for Aerospace Excellence

"This expansion is a testament to our city’s appeal as a hub for advanced manufacturing in the aerospace industry," says Mobile Chamber prez Bradley Byrne. Translation: Mobile is rockin' the aerospace scene!

Upgrades & Future Flights

The construction is already underway, with operations set to launch in September 2025. This investment includes shiny new test equipment, allowing Aerostar to continue its top-notch repair services for all sorts of aircraft components.

Local Leaders Cheer On!

"Aerostar has taken a huge step forward in its growth strategy," says Aerostar President Greg Guzman. Mayor Sandy Stimpson adds, "Companies like Aerostar… are securing Mobile’s place as a global leader in the aerospace industry.” County Commission President Randall Dueitt echoes that, emphasizing the "meaningful opportunities for Mobile County workers."

Bottom line? Aerostar's expansion is another huge win for Mobile!

SpaceFactory Blasts Off to Huntsville!

Big news, ChumCity! Space tech innovators SpaceFactory are packing their bags and heading to Huntsville, leaving the Big Apple behind!

Rocket City Welcomes a New Player

This isn't your average move. SpaceFactory, known for their cutting-edge construction tech for space, is building a brand-spankin'-new $2 million facility near Campus 805 on Bailes Street. Get ready to welcome them by summer 2025!

More Jobs and Lunar Dreams

The move will bring around 25 new jobs to the area, boosting SpaceFactory's research into lunar exploration and advanced manufacturing. Exciting times for the Rocket City!

Governor Ivey Gives the Thumbs Up

Gov. Kay Ivey is thrilled, pointing out SpaceFactory's crucial role in supporting NASA's Artemis project. She said Alabama's workforce and unique industrial setting makes it a perfect fit.

SpaceFactory CEO Shares the Excitement

SpaceFactory CEO Dave Malott expressed gratitude for the local support, emphasizing how it allows a smaller company to "grow and make a significant impact" in the same vein as the Apollo program. They're aiming to assist NASA's return to the Moon with Artemis!

State Says Welcome to the Rocket City

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair declared SpaceFactory a great addition to our beloved "Rocket City", highlighting its "forward-thinking" approach.

Future is Bright

SpaceFactory's got some seriously cool projects in the works, like 3D-printed habitats and architecture for the Moon and Mars! Designed by PlanetWorks Architecture, construction on the new facility is set to begin this year. Get ready, ChumCity, the future is now!

Mobile's Economy is Booming!

Looks like Santa came early for Mobile! New economic reports are dropping, and they're showing some serious growth in both the market and job scene.

GDP is Up, Up, Up!

Mobile County's Real Gross Domestic Product (that's the fancy way of saying the value of everything we make here) jumped by a whopping 5.1% from 2022 to 2023. We're talking about a total GDP nearing $23.2 BILLION! Not bad, Mobile, not bad at all.

Second-Largest in Alabama!

Get this: Mobile County accounted for the second-largest chunk of Alabama's total Real GDP growth, contributing a cool 17%. Only Madison County did better. "This remarkable economic growth underscores Mobile’s position as a driving force in Alabama’s economy," says Mobile Chamber CEO Bradley Byrne.

Jobs on the Rise!

And the good news doesn't stop there. A recent jobs report reveals that Mobile County had 191,021 employed people as of the second quarter of 2024. That's an increase of over 4,000 jobs since the previous year! That's the highest employment count since way back in 2008.

Mobile Responds to Critics

Of course, not everyone is singing our praises. A recent New York Times article suggested job losses in Mobile from 2019-2023, but local officials are pushing back hard. Mobile Chamber points to data showing the area actually gained jobs during that period.

Big Expansions Ahead!

And get this: big companies are investing in Mobile! Airbus is expanding their facility, adding 1,000 new jobs. Plus, Austal USA is building a huge expansion that's set to create another 1,100 jobs.

A Word of Caution

While things are looking up, Mobile still has the highest unemployment rate of the major metro areas in Alabama. But with all this growth and investment, the future is looking bright for the Port City.

Boeing Hit With Layoffs in Rocket City

Hold on to your hats, Huntsville! Boeing just dropped a bombshell, announcing a new round of layoffs impacting 71 employees right here in our town. The culprit? Apparently, changes to their contract with NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) program, aka the moon rocket.

SLS Contract Changes Spark Layoffs

Boeing, already in the process of slimming down its workforce, pointed to tweaks in their NASA contract as the reason for these latest cuts. While they're trying to minimize the impact, some adjustments are, unfortunately, unavoidable.

The Future of SLS?

The future of the SLS program itself is a bit murky. Despite NASA launching it back in 2022 as part of the Artemis moon mission, the program's facing political pressure and uncertainty. Remember all those rumors that Elon Musk wants it canceled?

Huntsville Impact

These layoffs, set to take effect on April 18th, add to the pain felt by Huntsville's aerospace community. This follows previous cuts announced in April and November of 2024, bringing the total number of impacted employees in the past year to nearly 360.

Boeing's Response

Boeing says they'll try to redeploy employees where possible, aiming to keep the total number of layoffs under 200 across the board. Affected employees will receive severance, career support, and subsidized health benefits. Before the shake-up, Boeing boasted a Huntsville workforce of around 3,300.

Bayou La Batre's Mayor Weighs In on Trump's Tariffs

Bayou La Batre Mayor Henry Barnes recently spoke on NewsNation about the potential impact of President Trump's tariffs on the local fishing community. And let's just say, he had some strong opinions!

A Boost for Shrimpers?

Mayor Barnes believes the tariff policy could actually be a good thing for those hard-working folks out on the water. "It should raise the price of shrimp to the guys out there that’s catching it," he said, emphasizing the dedication and often dangerous work of local shrimpers. "It’s generational," he added, "it's in their blood."

Tough Times in the Shrimp Biz

Barnes explained that a flood of foreign imports, coupled with rising diesel prices under the previous administration, have made things incredibly difficult for the industry. He knows firsthand, as his net shop has also suffered. It isn't just his town, he argues, but a whole stretch of the Gulf and East coasts.

A "Reformation" in Progress

The Mayor calls Trump's tariff policy a "reformation," acknowledging that it will have its ups and downs. "It’s going to hurt some people. It’s going to make some people happy," he explained. "It's kind of like when I ran for office; I knew I wasn’t going to make 100% of the people in my city happy..."

A Message for the President

And what's his message to President Trump? "Don’t back down!" Barnes declared. He sees the tariffs as part of a larger needed change in the country. "We need to grow up, straighten up, and move forward," he concluded.

Deer Ownership in Alabama: A Heated Debate

A wild debate is brewing in Alabama! A new bill, HB509, is stirring up trouble between lawmakers and conservation bigwigs. The question at the heart of it all? Who really owns Alabama's deer?

The Bill: Deer as Personal Property?

Rep. Jeff Sorrells is pushing HB509, which would classify deer owned by licensed game breeders as their personal property, not the state's. This would also limit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)'s ability to test, euthanize, or control the movement of these deer due to disease, unless certain conditions are met.

Conservation Officials Sound the Alarm

Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship isn't happy. He calls the bill "disturbing to all ethical sportsmen, hunters, and citizens in Alabama," arguing it's unethical and tarnishes hunting traditions. The ADCNR's main worry? Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a deadly disease affecting deer. They fear HB509 would hamper their ability to control outbreaks, potentially devastating Alabama's $2 billion hunting economy and wild deer populations.

Rebuttal from the Bill's Proponent

Sorrells fires back, saying the bill simply codifies existing ADCNR regulations that already refer to breeders as "owners." He claims it doesn't restrict disease inspections and aims to prevent the department from drastic measures like destroying large portions of a breeder's herd based on a single sick deer found outside the facility. He sees Blankenship's concerns as a misunderstanding of the bill.

A Clash of Interests

The core issue? Breeders want the freedom to manage and profit from their deer, while conservation officials worry about public hunting rights, public health, and the potential spread of disease. The House Agriculture and Forestry Committee gave HB509 a thumbs-up. This will be one to watch.

Mocktails are Exploding!

Everyone's clued in: alcohol and your health? Not always the best match. That's why mocktails are having a major moment! Forget just swapping out booze; it's a whole new scene. You'll spot these amazing alcohol-free drinks on menus all over, with local spots in Alabama getting wild with flavors and textures.

Spring into Refreshment with Alabama Mocktails

Ready for a healthier sip this spring? These mocktail recipes are your ticket to amazing flavors, perfect for any meal or shindig! We're talking Alabama-inspired goodness, showing off the state's incredible seasonal fruits.

Southern Citrus Chiller

• Alabama's Star: Oranges!

• Mix it up (adjust to your liking):

  • Freshly squeezed orange juice

  • Rosemary simple syrup (just a touch!)

  • Sparkling water or club soda

  • Garnish: Orange twist and rosemary sprig

Sweet Tea Sparkler

• Alabama's Star: Lemons!

• Mix it up (adjust to your liking):

  • Cold-brewed black tea

  • Muddled lemon and mint

  • Local honey (a drizzle)

  • Sparkling water

  • Garnish: Lemon twist and mint sprig

Blueberry-Ginger Cooler

• Alabama's Star: Blueberries!

• Mix it up (adjust to your liking):

  • Pureed local blueberries

  • Ginger syrup (a dash)

  • Sparkling water

  • Lime juice (a generous squeeze)

  • Garnish: Blueberries and a slice of ginger

Peach-Lavender Refresher

• Alabama's Star: Peaches!

• Mix it up (adjust to your liking):

  • Pureed local peaches

  • Lavender syrup (just a touch)

  • Sparkling water

  • Garnish: Peach slices and lavender sprig

Watermelon-Basil Chiller

• Alabama's Star: Watermelon!

• Mix it up (adjust to your liking):

  • Fresh watermelon juice

  • Basil simple syrup (a dash)

  • Lime juice (a splash)

  • Sparkling water

  • Garnish: Lime wedge and basil leaf

Courtesy of SoulGrown Alabama.