Game Plan economic development package passes Alabama Legislature

Gov. Kay Ivey's Game Plan package outlining several economic development bills was recently passed by the Alabama Legislature and is set to be signed into law. 

On April 3, Ivey held a press conference at the Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium where she said the package would help stimulate the state economy. 

The package, also called "plays", is outlined in the following from an announcement after the April 3 press conference by Ivey's office: 

• 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) will allow 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 Enhancing will amend 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.

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) was among those to co-sponsor the package. 

“I am proud the Alabama Legislature has officially passed all four bills in The Game Plan package – my plan for our state’s continued economic success," Ivey said in an announcement on Thursday.

"I commend both the Senate and House for their incredible work on this timely legislation that will, no doubt, be transformative for our state and more importantly, for our families. We are creating stability for our economy and are going to keep Alabama winning for many years to come."