New Economic Incentive Law

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This week, Governor Bob Riley signed legislation that makes more types of businesses eligible for state financial help if they locate here. In the past, Alabama’s economic incentive laws only covered manufacturing jobs. The new bill expands that to corporate headquarters, research and development centers, and alternative energy companies. Michael Calvert is president of Operation New Birmingham, which promotes economic development in the city center. He tells WBHM’s Tanya Ott the new law opens up the field of potential prospects.

Operation New Birmingham president Michael Calvert and WBHM’s Tanya Ott continue their conversation with details on efforts to expand downtown residential development and attract a supermarket.

 

Homewood votes this month to change its form of government. Why is the issue so controversial?

A move by Homewood to change to a council-manager form of government began with little fanfare. But as the September 24th vote has grown closer, the relatively quiet, special election has spun into a controversial issue.

The first general election ballots are going in the mail as the presidential contest nears

While the ballot milestone is relatively quiet and comes in a state that is not a political battleground, it is a sign of how quickly Election Day is approaching after this summer's party conventions and Tuesday's first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump.

Jefferson County released from sewer consent decree

A federal judge on Thursday released Jefferson County from a decades-long consent decree ordering rehabilitation of its sewer system. As part of the agreement, the county committed to completing several additional capital improvement projects by early 2027 that are planned and funded to further reduce sewer overflows.

Deceptive drug tests ensnare new parents and babies

Imagine giving birth and then testing positive for a drug. Except you didn't take any drugs. Still the state Department of Human Resources opens an investigation based on that erroneous test.

Bill Greason, the oldest-living Negro Leaguer, takes another trip around the bases at 100

Greason, a former pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barons, was honored for his contributions to baseball, his community and his country at a recent celebration.

‘A dream come true’: Alabama ‘grandfamilies’ are set to receive opioid settlement funds

The new state program— the first of its kind in the U.S. — will give $280,000 from opioid settlement funding to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

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