GOV. IVEY THANKS RETIREES FOR LAYING “STRONG FOUNDATION” DURING KEYNOTE

AT 44TH ANNUAL ARSEA/APEAL CONVENTION

Gov. Kay Ivey gave the keynote address at ARSEA/APEAL’s 44th Annual Convention held in Birmingham this week, and she provided attendees with an overview of the state’s progress in job creation, education, public safety, and other areas.

Ivey, a former state employee who worked as reading clerk in the Alabama House of Representatives and as deputy director of the Alabama Development Office, began her remarks by thanking ARSEA/APEAL members for their years of service.

“I am honored to visit with you again and bring you up to date on our efforts to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians, and I say ‘our’ because no success we have achieved to date would have been possible without the strong foundation each of you has laid in your own careers in serving our state,” Ivey said. “So let me just say thank you for your service to Alabama.”

The governor noted that since she took office in 2017, a record $49 billion has been invested by new and existing businesses, which resulted in 87,000 new jobs, and she said that continuing the impressive economic growth requires a quality public education system.

The Education Trust Fund budget she signed in May for Fiscal Year 2025 represents the sixth consecutive year of record spending and unprecedented investment in Alabama classrooms. In addition, Alabama’s nationally-recognized “First Class” pre-kindergarten program is being expanded into rural areas and high-need communities, which ensures students get an early start in basic education.

Ivey also pointed to ongoing efforts in workforce development and the state’s progress in rising from 47th in the nation in rural broadband access to 24th in the nation as assets that will assist in economic growth and job creation.

Because moving goods manufactured in Alabama is vital to industrial recruitment, the governor said the state is investing in transportation projects that include improvements to I-565 in Huntsville, widening I-65 through the heart of the state, and completing the West Alabama Corridor and the Bayway project in Mobile.

And since public safety is so important to providing a good quality of life, Ivey said the state is helping address rising crime in Montgomery with a Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit that has served 347 outstanding arrest warrants and arrested 127 criminal suspects over the past three months. She suggested that a similar unit may soon be launched in Birmingham in order to address issues with street gangs and violent crime.

“Y’all, I’m proud of Alabama, I’m proud of our citizens, and I am proud to continue leading our state forward,” Ivey said to close her remarks. “I appreciate the many contributions of our state employees, both current and retired, in helping pave the way for Alabama’s progress.”