PRATTVILLE, Alabama — On Wednesday of this week, Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair applauded the significant strides being made to attract transformative investment and high-quality jobs to Alabama’s rural regions — a cornerstone of the economic development strategy for Governor Kay Ivey’s administration.
The results speak for themselves. Since 2020, economic development projects landing in Alabama’s “targeted” rural counties have generated $7 billion in new capital investment and created nearly 9,000 jobs, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce.
Secretary McNair delivered remarks on Wednesday during the Alabama Department of Commerce’s annual Rural Summit, a three-day event that unites economic developers, local leaders and industry partners focused on expanding opportunities across the state’s rural landscape.
“Alabama’s rural communities are on the verge of a new era of opportunity,” she said. “Over the past several years, we have seen rural regions harness their strengths, attract transformative investments and lay the groundwork for a future defined by sustainable economic growth.”
Brenda Tuck, Rural Development Manager for Commerce and organizer of the summit, said Alabama’s rural economy is gaining real momentum, with growth coming from industries including automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, forest products and food production.
“Rural Alabama is no longer a hidden gem; it’s a rising force in economic development, where companies can thrive with the space to grow, the workforce to scale and the support to succeed,” Tuck said.
A new Commerce report, titled “Rural Alabama Powers Growth Potential,” details 57 economic development projects announced in targeted counties during 2024 alone — accounting for $1.2 billion in new investment and more than 1,600 new jobs.
“The people of rural Alabama have always been the backbone of our state’s economy. From agriculture and forestry to advanced manufacturing and small business entrepreneurship, rural communities continue to drive innovation and growth,” Governor Ivey says in the report.
“By harnessing that potential and pairing it with strategic investment, we are ensuring that the next generation has every reason to build their future right here at home,” she adds.
Secretary McNair said Commerce is focused on sustaining that momentum through a mix of innovative programs and forward-looking investments.
She pointed to initiatives such as SEEDS and Growing Alabama, which are helping rural communities strengthen industrial sites, enhance infrastructure and prepare for the next wave of job-creating projects. Another major effort, the Alabama Development Fund, will provide targeted resources to expand infrastructure, support innovation and boost local capacity to attract high-quality employers.
“Our commitment to rural Alabama is not just about job numbers — it’s about creating thriving communities where people can live, work and prosper,” Secretary McNair said. “We are focused on industries that will bring not only employment but also long-term stability and growth.
“Whether in advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, technology or renewable energy, we see opportunities for rural Alabama to lead.”
