MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama delegation attending the Farnborough International Airshow on an industry recruitment mission next week includes a few of the state lawmakers who have been key to passing major economic development bills in recent years.
“Alabama is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation and we want to show industries around the world the opportunities and workforce we have to offer,” said state Sen. Lance Bell, who chairs the Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee.
“From U.S. Space Command, Marshall Space Flight Center and major rocket companies headquartered in Huntsville, to Fort Rucker, Lockheed, Sikorsky and General Dynamics in the Wiregrass region to Airbus building A320 and A220 airliners in Mobile, Alabama is poised to lead the nation in aerospace manufacturing and development, not just the Southeast,” Bell said.
Rep. Andy Whitt, chairman of the Alabama House’s economic development committee, is also part of the delegation. He was the House sponsor of the 2025 legislation that created the Alabama Development Fund, a recurring funding stream the Alabama Department of Commerce can use to improve economic development opportunities across the state. The fund gives Commerce the flexibility to invest in rural assistance programs, increase the state’s international footprint and recruiting abilities and assist with local initiatives aimed at attracting and maintaining a quality workforce.
“The Development Fund helps Alabama stay competitive by attracting good-paying jobs, new investment and greater opportunity for our communities,” Whitt said. “We’re no longer just competing with neighboring states — we’re competing on a global stage. These investments help recruit new industries, sell Alabama-made products and strengthen the businesses that drive our state.
“This isn’t just about Birmingham, Huntsville or Mobile. It’s about the farmer in Chilton County, the manufacturer in the Wiregrass and every community in between.”
The fund became effective last month and now retains a small portion of sales and property taxes that are abated in qualified economic development projects.
Also on the trip is Sen. Wes Kitchens, who sponsored legislation signed by the governor last year that exempts from state sales and use taxes some aircraft, aircraft replacement parts, components and maintenance services utilized by certified air carriers. Prior to the passage of that bill, Alabama was a “flyover state” for aviation repair, Kitchens said.
Kitchens’ district includes Marshall County and portions of Blount and Madison County, which has a heavy aviation, aerospace and defense presence.
“With that bill, we were able to close that gap and that’s led to job creation in my district with some companies already here and now able to expand,” Kitchens said.
The Alabama Legislature wants to be part of creating economic growth opportunities in the state, he said.
“And hearing directly from industry that is interested in locating in Alabama is part of that solution,” Kitchens said. “If there’s an obstacle in their way, we want to know about it. We want to make it as easy as possible to run a business here and have the workforce needed to fill those jobs.”
Earlier in the legislative quadrennium, lawmakers and Governor Kay Ivey approved the four economic growth-related bills known as The Game Plan. Among them were extensions on the state’s key economic incentives and the creation of the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act (SEEDS) to accelerate the development of industry ready sites.
Having ready and available industrial sites to offer industry is critical to the state’s continued growth.
“We have to be willing to invest strategically in the priorities that drive growth, prosperity, and long-term competitiveness,” Whitt said. “As we say in the South, ‘You can’t expect a harvest if you never plant the seed.’
“The investments that we are making will help ensure Alabama remains strong and competitive for generations to come.”
Bell said those attending the Farnborough Air Show understand that Alabama sells itself.
“We simply have to tell the story,” he said.
