November 2019 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
More big economic development news broke this month, as well as some election updates.
- Koch Foods Expanding to Alabama: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined representatives of Koch Foods and local leaders in Etowah County to announce that the company plans to invest more than $50 million to establish a state-of-of-the-art grain storage and distribution facility in Attalla. The new poultry feed-mill will create 29 new jobs with an annual payroll of $1 million. The new facility, designed with technologically advanced features for maximum efficiency, will support the company’s recently expanded processing plant in nearby Gadsden.
- Carvana Opening Alabama Distribution Hub: Governor Ivey announced that Carvana, a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, plans to invest more that $40 million to construct an Alabama distribution and fulfillment center, creating more than 450 jobs in Bessemer. The new facility in Jefferson County will strengthen the company’s logistics network in the Southeast.
- Jeff Sessions Announces Senate Bid: Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he is running for his old U.S. Senate seat for Alabama. During his announcement, Sessions reminded people that when President Trump took on Washington, he was the only Senator with the courage to stand with him and that he was and is Trump’s strongest advocate. He said he is running to help make America great again.
- Special Election Results: Charlotte Meadows, the GOP runoff winner for Alabama House District 74 that covers a large part of East Montgomery, defeated Democrat Rayford Mack in the special election on November 12. She replaces Dimitri Polizos who died earlier this year.
Van Smith, the GOP winner for Alabama House District 42 that covers parts of Autauga and Chilton Counties, defeated Democrat Kenneth Allison in the special election on November 5. He replaces longtime House member Jimmy Martin who passed earlier this year.