HUNTSVILLE — In what could be considered political improv, State Finance Director Bill Poole substituted for Gov. Kay Ivey at Thursday’s Alabama Update.
Ivey was unable to attend due to transportation issues but Poole filled in, saluting the Tennessee Valley as an economic pacesetter at the annual Huntsville-Madison County Chamber event.
“Governor Ivey is truly excited about Alabama’s future and I think we share that optimism,” he said to the sold-out audience. “That excitement is tied to the relentless positive energy that permeates Huntsville and the entire Tennessee Valley.
“With over $10 billion in investments and 30,000 new jobs over the last dozen years, this region is a pace setter for growth in Alabama.”
He also spoke about Huntsville’s increasingly low unemployment rate.
“I am pleased to make another announcement on the governor’s behalf that all 12 of Alabama’s metropolitan areas ranked among the lowest unemployment rates in the country for April 2023. All 12,” said Poole.
“As Governor Ivey has noted Huntsville and Decatur metro unemployment dropped from 1.8% to 1.4%, tying for fourth place nationally.”
Alabama is now among the top five states with the lowest unemployment rates at 2.2%.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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