Brasfield & Gorrie Expands in the 'Ham, Adds Jobs!

Big news out of Birmingham! Brasfield & Gorrie, the general contractor powerhouse, just celebrated a major expansion to their headquarters right here in the Lakeview District. This isn't just any addition; we're talking a brand-spankin' new three-story, 28,500-square-foot space!

Investing in Birmingham

That's right, folks! This $18.9 million investment shows Brasfield & Gorrie's serious commitment to our city and has already brought 64 new jobs to Birmingham! The expansion, announced earlier this year, is a game-changer.

Hometown Pride

"I’m energized by the company’s growth, and we’re collectively committed to Birmingham, where we’ve been based since our beginning in 1964," said CEO Rob Blalock. It's awesome to see a company so dedicated to its roots!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Brasfield & Gorrie also noted that support from the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and the state of Alabama was key to making this expansion a reality. Looks like everyone's invested in seeing Birmingham thrive! They are already ahead of schedule to bring 85 headquarters jobs within five years, with 75% of those roles already filled.

Boomtown Birmingham

Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, chimed in, saying, “Brasfield & Gorrie’s continued growth in Birmingham is a great example of how Alabama-based companies can lead nationally while staying deeply rooted in their hometowns.”

What's Next?

This expansion supports the company's long-term strategic plan and helps support their 1,400 employees. Pylon Building Group, Brasfield & Gorrie’s subsidiary, led the project's construction. Recent projects in Alabama include Southern Research’s biotech center and campus renovations, work at UAB, Protective Stadium, Airbus facilities, and more. They've even opened a new Field Training Center to help employees level up!

Birmingham is booming, y'all!

Senator Britt Champions Trump's Tax Cuts Amidst Spending Bill Buzz

As the colossal spending bill rolls through Congress, Alabama's own Senator Katie Britt is putting her foot down: extending President Trump's tax cuts is a MUST!

House Proposal: A Promising Start

The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee has already tossed its hat in the ring, unveiling a plan that not only continues those crucial cuts but also sprinkles in tax relief for tips and overtime pay. It's a step in the right direction, but the real showdown awaits in the Senate.

Britt's Stance: "Absolutely Insanity" to Let Cuts Expire

Britt recently shared her thoughts on WVNN's "The Yaffee Program," emphasizing the urgency. "We're talking about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Trump's landmark 2017 achievement," she stated. "Letting these cuts expire would be a $4 TRILLION tax hike on Americans in 2026. We simply can't let that happen!"

Alabama Impact: Wallet Watch Alert!

Senator Britt crunched the numbers, and the results are eye-opening for Alabamians. "If we don't extend these cuts, the average Alabama taxpayer will see their taxes jump by $2,192!" she exclaimed. "That is actual insanity. We need to lock these in and find even more ways to help hard-working folks."

Beyond Tax Cuts: A Call for Fiscal Responsibility

While protecting tax cuts is paramount, Britt stresses the need for serious spending cuts too.

"We're staring down the barrel of almost $37 trillion in debt... It's not just irresponsible; it's morally wrong," Britt declared. "We have a chance to rein it in through cutting waste, fraud, and abuse." She emphasized, "That money isn't ours. It's the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers who trust us to spend it wisely."

Backing Trump's Vision

Ultimately, Britt's mission is clear: to deliver on the promises made by President Trump.

"We're dedicated to executing the vision that President Trump laid out for the American people – a vision they embraced loud and clear," she concluded. "A secure border, safer streets, a strong defense, American energy independence, support for our farmers, and a tax structure that empowers those striving for the American dream – that's what this bill is all about!"

Alabama's Primary Election Date Shifts!

Hold on to your hats, ChumCity citizens! Governor Ivey just signed a bill that's shaking up the 2026 primary election. Mark your calendars, because the new date is Tuesday, May 19, 2026!

What's the Big Deal?

Originally, the election was slated for May 26th. This change bumps it up a week, placing it the Tuesday before Memorial Day. Why the switch? It's all about making life easier for our local election gurus and probate judges.

Runoff Rundown

No sweat, runoff elections are still on! They'll happen four Tuesdays after the primary, impacting both Republicans and Democrats.

Money Talks, Window Walks

Here's where it gets interesting: this date change also affects campaign fundraising. Get ready, 'cause the fundraising and filing frenzy kicks off next Monday, May 19, 2025! That's when candidates can start raking in those donations.

Filing Frenzy Deadline

Wanna throw your hat in the ring? The candidate filing deadline is January 23, 2026 – 116 days before the primary. Get those declarations of candidacy in on time, folks!

General Election Deets

The general election is still set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Remember to register at least 15 days prior! Stay tuned for more ChumCity updates!

Saban Weighs In On Trump's Potential College Sports Commission

Nick Saban, the recently retired head coach from Alabama, has responded to buzz about his possible involvement in a new college sports commission, rumored to be spearheaded by none other than former President Donald Trump! This commission would reportedly tackle the hot-button issue of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations in college athletics.

"I Don't Really Know Much About This"

Saban, speaking at the Regions Tradition pro-am golf tournament, admitted he's heard the whispers but hasn't received a formal invitation to join. Reports had even suggested Saban could co-chair the commission.

"To be honest," Saban told reporters, "I don’t really know much about this commission. I don’t really know what this commission would do. I think we know what needs to be done. I just think we’ve got to figure out who’s got the will to do it."

Saban: Always Willing to Help College Football

Ever the strategist, Saban added, "I’ve learned one thing about coaching for all these years that when you get into a subject like this that’s very complex, it’s probably good not to talk about it off the cuff. So I’ll find out more about it."

However, he made his stance clear: "If there’s something that I can do to help college football be better, I’m always going to be committed to do that. I was committed to do that as a coach, to help players be more successful in life. And I would continue to do the same thing now."

Alabama Hemp Law Gets a Major Overhaul!

Hold onto your hats, ChumCity citizens! Governor Kay Ivey just signed HB445, totally changing the game for consumable hemp products in Alabama. Get ready for some big changes!

What's the Buzz?

This new law is all about regulating hemp-derived THC compounds like delta-8 and delta-10. Say goodbye to smokable hemp – it's officially banned. Plus, there are gonna be some super strict rules on testing, packaging, licensing, and who can buy these goodies.

New Rules Coming Soon

Starting January 1, 2026, everything changes. All hemp products need to be lab-tested and clearly labeled with their THC content. No sales to anyone under 21, and forget about online sales or getting stuff shipped directly. You gotta be a grown-up to play this game!

Retailers Beware!

If you're selling hemp products, you NEED a license from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. And trust us, you don't want to mess around – the penalties for not following the rules are serious.

What's the Deal?

State Rep. Andy Whitt championed this legislation. Some folks, especially those focused on public safety, are cheering because they think it'll bring order to a kinda wild market. But some business owners are worried it'll hurt small businesses that sell those popular THC-infused treats.

Details, Details, Details!

No more hemp cigarettes, cigars, or joints. If you're 21+, you can buy consumable hemp at licensed spots with adult-only access (for the most part). Retail food stores can sell hemp-infused drinks, but they gotta keep them behind glass and away from kid-friendly stuff.

Tax Time!

Get ready for a 10% excise tax on all retail sales. Most of that cash goes to the state, but some will help local governments enforce these new rules. Oh, and products made with chemically converted psychoactive cannabinoids? Also banned!

Consequences? Oh Yeah.

Violating this law can cost retailers up to $10,000 in fines. Repeat offenders might even face felony charges! Selling to minors or operating without a license? You can kiss your license goodbye. The ABC Board can even seize and destroy illegal hemp products.

Fund It!

HB445 also creates the Consumable Hemp Product Compliance Fund to help enforce all of this.

When Does This All Kick In?

The law goes into effect July 1, 2025, but everything should be fully implemented by January 2026. So get ready, ChumCity – things are about to change!

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