BREAKING DOWN THE PLAYS

The Game Plan includes four bills — or “plays” — that focus on economic development issues such as incentives, site development, small business support and transparency.

• Play 1: The 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: The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) 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: The 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: The Enhancing Transparency Act 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.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the package will act to modernize the playbook the state has used to deliver major results in terms of new investment and job creation during recent years.

“The Game Plan will serve as our next-generation strategic economic development framework as we work to build a more dynamic economy for Alabama and its citizens,” Secretary Canfield said.

“Neighboring states are aggressively escalating their economic development activities, and this will allow us to keep winning the projects that trigger lasting impacts.”

Senate President Pro Temp Greg Reed (R-Jasper) hailed the passage of the package as a victory for the state and its future.

“The Game Plan is a multi-pronged approach to strengthen Alabama’s economy from all angles,” Reed said. “The four ‘plays’ are effective pieces of legislation that will help Alabama’s local communities thrive by attracting high-quality employers, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth.”

Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said the package will benefit Alabamians by better positioning the state to compete for the best jobs in the country.

“Industries across the nation and globe are trying to come here because of our great employees, our low taxes, and our unbeatable quality of life,” Ledbetter said.

“We want to make sure that, from a competition standpoint, we have the tools needed to bring companies here and keep them here.”