AGP Executive Report

Coastal Investment: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $52M in GoMESA funding for 21 coastal Alabama projects in Mobile and Baldwin, including the next phase of Brookley by the Bay ($9M) plus wetlands, boat ramps, fishing piers, and water-quality work. Water & Growth in Dora: The City of Dora is getting an ARC $1M grant for a 250,000-gallon water tower at Heritage Landing, clearing the way for more development near I-22. Outdoor Recreation Boost: GoMESA money also supports upgrades like an outdoor classroom at USA, renovations at Boggy Point Boat Launch, and projects across Fairhope, Dauphin Island, and Saraland. Road Access Planning: ALDOT is seeking public input on replacing two aging I-59 bridge sets between Springville and Ashville, with construction targeted for summer 2027. Family Travel Safety: Authorities reported Operation Safe Harbor led to 14 arrests tied to child exploitation charges, a reminder for families to stay alert while traveling and out in the community. Wildlife Watch: Researchers say manatees are still vulnerable locally after a suspected boat-strike death near Orange Beach. Invasive Species Alert: The invasive Joro spider is being spotted again, including in Alabama, and parks are asking visitors to report sightings.

Coastal Funding Boost: Gov. Kay Ivey announced more than $52 million for 21 GoMESA projects across Alabama’s Gulf Coast, including $9 million for Mobile’s Brookley by the Bay and major upgrades like wetlands creation, boat ramps and public access improvements—aimed at protecting natural resources while boosting recreation and tourism. Outdoor & Access Projects: The same GoMESA push includes funding for nature preserve and park improvements in Fairhope, Weeks Bay Reserve and Saraland’s Walter Cofield Park and Boat Launch, plus an outdoor classroom at USA. Tribal Transportation Upgrade: The Poarch Creek Indians started the first phase of a $24M, four-part road improvement project in Escambia County, widening lanes and improving drainage with completion targeted for March 2028. Weekend Gulf Coast Picks: iHeartMedia’s Gulf Coast rundown spotlights events like GOO GOO DOLLS at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Vince Gill at Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre, and the Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge at The Wharf. Family-Friendly Summer Treats: A new guide lists 13 shaved-ice spots across Alabama before summer ends, including favorites in Orange Beach, Opelika and Mobile. Local Youth in Government: Madison launched an inaugural Mayor’s Youth Council with 33 high school students learning how city operations work through meetings and service projects. Road Safety Reminder: A report on a Tennessee crash involving a university cycling team underscores ongoing risks for cyclists and drivers.

Wellness & Recovery Expansion: Red Light Method opened its 18th location in Huntsville, marking the third studio for the Tennessee–Alabama franchise group in just over a year, as the brand grows nationwide with cellular health, movement, fitness, and recovery offerings. College Sports Tourism: Alabama and Tennessee are reviving the “Third Saturday in October” home-jersey tradition for 2026-27—Crimson in Knoxville this year (Oct. 17) and orange in Tuscaloosa next year—adding extra pageantry for fans traveling to the rivalry. Family-Friendly Coastal Nature: Mississippi Aquarium will release two sea turtles on Dauphin Island at 10 a.m. Thursday, with staff on site to answer questions about conservation. Local Travel Safety & Mobility: The University of Alabama rolled out a comprehensive micromobility policy to improve safety around campus, including registration and rules for parking/charging. Wildlife Warning: A manatee death near Orange Beach is suspected to be caused by a boat strike, with necropsy findings pointing to propeller trauma.

Tourism & Events: Gulf Shores expands its Sunset Concert Series at Gulf Shores Public Beach with interactive stops and live music Sept. 3, 10 and 17. Community & Agriculture: Main Street Atmore’s Bee More Festival Weekend returns Aug. 28–29, blending honey-bee education, local business, and downtown revitalization. Nature & Outdoors: Alabama Black Belt Birding Festival gets a $5,000 boost after being named the first official “Black Belt signature event,” supporting conservation and visitor growth. Sports Tourism: Visit Tuscaloosa announces promotions and a new hire to grow sports tourism and group travel. Family-Friendly Learning: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census invites Alabama residents to count pollinators Aug. 21–22, with local sites hosting events. Local Travel Planning: Wild Alabama schedules trail maintenance hikes Aug. 20–25 and Aug. 27 for volunteers and nature lovers. Food Safety: A major egg recall is classified as FDA Class I, but Alabama isn’t listed among distribution states. Road Trip Safety: A deadly I-65 crash in Tennessee involved a Texas truck driver crossing the median and hitting three semis. Local School Spotlight: U.S. News ranks 10 Alabama public high schools in the top 1,000, with Huntsville’s New Century Tech Demo High School leading the state.

Space & Defense: Media toured Redstone Arsenal facilities as Space Command’s headquarters move accelerates, with leaders stressing partnerships across the Army, NASA Marshall, FBI and more. Local Travel & Safety: Alabama’s school-bus rules are back in focus—drivers must stop for buses loading/unloading when signals operate, with divided-highway exceptions; passing can bring steep fines and license suspension. Weather Watch: West Alabama issued a severe thunderstorm warning as a cell towered above 40,000 feet, with hail and damaging winds possible, pushing activity toward the Gulf. Gulf Coast Events: Orange Beach opens registration for the Sept. 12 Alabama Coastal Triathlon, and the Wharf hosts the Sept. 25-26 Rouses Kids Fishing Tourney benefiting Make-A-Wish Alabama. Coastal Community: The 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup is set for Sept. 19 across 30+ Baldwin County sites. Tourism & Culture: Mobile’s National Maritime Museum is nearing completion of a major Jimmy Buffett exhibit opening Sept. 12-13 with timed entry tickets. Travel Deals: Vrbo says shoulder-season savings are fading as fall demand bleeds in, especially affecting nightly rates.

EV & Road-Trip Planning: Drive Electric Alabama is rolling out six EV showcases across the state from Aug. 29 to Oct. 10, including stops in Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville, Cullman, and a first-ever event at Rickwood Caverns State Park’s “Cars at the Cave” car show—free chances to talk with EV owners about range, charging, and costs. Travel Growth: Huntsville International Airport hit a new July record with 182,556 passengers, up 8.5% year over year, driven by more nonstop options and bigger planes. Retail Travel Stops: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton and continues its expansion push; meanwhile, reports say the chain has filed plans for its first Iowa store in Urbandale, with plans for EV charging and hundreds of jobs. Family-Friendly Health News: UAB and Cincinnati Children’s researchers report that indigo light may help prevent childhood myopia, pointing to a potential indoor lighting fix as screen time rises. Local Commuter Notes: ALDOT is continuing work on the US-431 Veterans Memorial Bridge in Guntersville, including a $6.7M painting project with lane closures limited to non-peak times. Gulf Coast Music: Orange Beach’s Coastal Arts Center is set for a fall lineup—smooth jazz, Baldwin Pops, and the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival on Veterans Day.

Local Grants: Northwest Alabama RC&D Council announced $175,000 in Lauderdale County FY2026 grants, with funding for schools, fire departments, and community groups including Florence–Lauderdale Tourism ($25,000). Coastal Safety & Access: Gulf Shores is considering removing the “extremely dangerous” Canal Park boat launch under the Highway 59 bridge, citing safety and traffic conflicts, while pointing to two newer, amenity-rich free launches nearby. Job & Visitor Economy: Tuscaloosa Area Career Center shared hiring leads, including a Helping Hearts Senior Care job fair Aug. 18 and event-related temporary work tied to Alabama football season. Family Travel Planning: A new YouGov/OpenTable trend story highlights earlier dinner reservations, a small but telling shift for restaurants and trip planning. Outdoor & Sports Tourism: The College Swimming League set venues for its inaugural season, including Alabama and Auburn matchups in the Midwest and Georgia. Community Spotlight: Arab Tribune longtime owner Ed Reed died in a house fire, remembered for decades of local impact. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports lowest premium and diesel prices in multiple Alabama counties for the week ending Aug. 8.

Birmingham Metro Growth: Thompson Thrift is developing Rivet, a 300-unit Class A apartment community in Chelsea along the U.S. 280 corridor, with first move-ins targeted for late 2027—another sign of demand for high-end housing near major jobs and retail. College-Town Luxury Hospitality: Alum, a new luxury hospitality concept backed by Derek Jeter, is preparing its first Alabama location in Tuscaloosa near the University of Alabama, aiming to open in 2027 with a club-style, year-round social experience. Travel & Roadside Buzz: Buc-ee’s opened its first Arkansas location in Benton, adding 200+ jobs and bringing the chain to 58 nationwide—good news for road-trip fans watching the brand’s expansion. Family Fun in Alabama: The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences opened with 79 inaugural students, a tuition-free residential specialty school designed to help address the state’s healthcare workforce gaps. Local Travel Spotlight: World Atlas named Gadsden among the South’s 10 prettiest small towns, highlighting Noccalula Falls and downtown charm as a quick getaway from Birmingham. Air Travel Upgrade: U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures announced $8.5M for Montgomery Regional Airport runway rehabilitation to improve safety and extend runway life. Coastal Events: The Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge returns Aug. 22 at The Wharf in Orange Beach, featuring bacon-focused competition, People’s Choice voting, and a golden ticket prize path to the World Food Championships.

Retail & Dining: Tanger is renovating Tanger Outlets Foley, adding about 20,000 sq. ft. of experiential food and beverage space, with Shake Shack announced as the first new concept. Local Events & Community: Foley officials are weighing a potential sale of the city’s horse arena, raising concerns for the Alabama Coastal Speed Club and its scheduled events. Travel Safety: A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple broke ground in Madison (North Alabama), with construction expected to take a couple of years. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest diesel and gas prices in parts of Alabama this week, including midgrade and diesel deals in multiple counties. Weather: Central Alabama is under First Alert Weather Days for dangerous heat, with an Extreme Heat Warning and heat index values climbing above 110°F. Tourism & Transit: Amtrak’s New Orleans-to-Mobile “Mardi Gras” service is celebrating its first year of strong ridership growth, while safety concerns at Gulf Coast rail crossings remain in focus.

Wiregrass Place Names: Dale County’s Echo got its name from early settlers’ log-cabin “echo” after pine logs struck in the woods, part of a broader Alabama Wiregrass tradition of quirky, story-rich community names. Heat & Travel Safety: Birmingham-area officials issued First Alert Weather Days through Monday for dangerous heat, with heat index values around 105–110°F and reminders to limit outdoor time and keep pets hydrated. Gulf Coast Rail Update: Amtrak’s New Orleans–Mobile “Mardi Gras” service marked a strong first year with ridership gains and tourism boosts, while leaders also confront safety concerns after multiple deadly Gulf Coast crashes at crossings. Local Tourism & Recreation: Lake Guntersville State Park added an all-terrain mobility vehicle for visitors with mobility challenges, expanding access to outdoor fun. Food Tourism: A Mobile classic, West Indies Salad—chilled crabmeat with onions, oil, vinegar and ice water—gets a spotlight as one of Alabama’s best-kept culinary secrets. Community Events: Cullman is a finalist for Hallmark’s “Merriest Christmas Town,” a potential tourism draw for the holiday season. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show some Alabama counties seeing notably low midgrade prices in the week ending Aug. 8, including $3.69 in Jefferson County and $3.73 in Marshall County.

Healthcare & Growth: Hoover broke ground on the South Haven Surgical Plaza at Stadium Trace Village, a new 80,000-square-foot outpatient facility with six operating rooms and imaging suites—positioned as a major regional care destination. Tourism & Nature: Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association named the Alabama Black Belt Birding Festival its first “Black Belt Signature Event,” highlighting tourism, conservation, and rural economic impact. Local Culture: Greensboro Opera House will host nationally known storyteller Dolores Hydock for a weekend workshop and a free public storytelling performance. Food & Travel Flavor: Southern Living’s Southern Food Hall of Fame added four Alabama favorites—Wickles Pickles, Conecuh Sausage, and more—good fuel for road-trip snack stops. Road Safety: ALEA issued back-to-school driving reminders, urging drivers to slow down and stay alert around school zones and buses. Outdoor Access: Lake Guntersville State Park added an all-terrain mobility vehicle and expanded accessible recreation with TVA support.

Alabama Food Tourism: Southern Living named four Alabama staples to its “Southern Food Hall of Fame,” spotlighting Wickles Pickles (Dadeville), Conecuh Sausage (Evergreen), and more reader favorites—great fuel for a road-trip snack list. Local Events & Culture: Greensboro Opera House will host nationally known storyteller Dolores Hydock for a weekend of workshops and a free public performance (Aug. 15-16). Nature Travel: Alabama Black Belt Birding Festival was named the first official “Black Belt Signature Event,” with organizers citing growing out-of-state birding interest and conservation-focused tourism. Family Travel & Safety: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued back-to-school driving reminders, urging drivers to slow down and stay alert around school zones and buses. Road Trips & Accessibility: ALDOT is resurfacing US-280 in Alexander City (from SR-63 to Dadeville Road), adding guardrails, access management, and drainage upgrades, with lane closures expected through phases into summer 2027. Outdoor Recreation: Dothan’s new covered pickleball complex is already drawing 12,000+ visits in its first month, with fall tournaments planned. Health & Travel Planning: A March of Dimes report says one in three Alabama counties is a maternal health care desert, pushing expectant families to travel for prenatal and postpartum care.

Back-to-School Safety: ALEA is urging drivers to slow down and put phones away as kids return to classrooms, with extra attention around school zones and bus stops. Road Work & Travel Planning: ALDOT is resurfacing and adding access-management upgrades on US-280 in Alexander City, with one-lane closures in each direction expected until work wraps in summer 2027. Maternal Health Access: A March of Dimes report says 1 in 3 Alabama counties are maternal care deserts, forcing many families to travel long distances for prenatal and postpartum care. Local Tourism Boost: Dothan’s $6.4M covered pickleball complex is already drawing more than 12,000 visits in its first month, with tournaments planned for fall. Health Care Upgrade: Hale County Hospital is using $250,000 from Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program to buy a new CT scanner, ultrasound equipment, and IV pumps. Coastal Caution: Heat advisories are in effect along the Gulf Coast, with heat index values pushing 108–112 degrees at times—plan outdoor trips carefully. Family Fun & Events: Scottsboro’s Two Sisters Square is hosting free, open-air concerts (Aug. 22 and Sept. 4), and Woodville Public Library continues weekly kids’ programs like Sing & Sign. Sports & Community: Alabama soccer opened its season with a 2-1 win over Saint Louis, and South Alabama cross country released its 2026 schedule, including the Sun Belt meet in Foley.

Coastal Tourism Spotlight: FOX Weather put Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a national stage with “Beach House to Gulf Shores,” highlighting sugar-white sand, beach safety, hurricane history, and local attractions like Gulf State Park trails. Community & Events: Cullman was named a Top 25 finalist in Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town Contest, with daily voting through Sept. 4. Family Travel & Fun: An Alabama couple, Daisha Wilks and Dalton Hamby, will compete on CBS’ The Amazing Race (Season 29 premieres Sept. 30). River Cruise Planning: American Cruise Lines’ new American Beauty (180 guests) is set to enter service in Sept. 2028, with a new “Gulf Coast” itinerary planned for November 2028 that includes Mobile and Alabama. Local Health & Quality of Life: UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair secured a $750K grant to expand rural care equipment. Education: Alabama’s spring 2026 ACAP results show modest statewide gains in ELA and math. Safety & Weather: Heat advisories are in effect as temperatures could push near 100 this weekend. Volunteer Tourism: Coastal Alabama is gearing up for the 39th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19.

Alabama Travel & Tourism: Road-trip win: An Enterprise, Alabama couple turned a Kentucky restroom stop into a $150,000 Powerball prize after adding Power Play to a ticket bought at the Pilot Travel Center in Franklin—proof that a quick detour can pay off big. Family-friendly outdoors: Montgomery’s Buckmasters Expo returns for a weekend packed with hunting gear, archery, rodeo action, riverboat cruises, and outdoor TV stars (Aug. 14-16), with free admission via a canned food donation or $1 for a local mission. Coastal vibe picks: A new list spotlights “tiny beach towns” for low-key escapes, including Point Clear, Alabama on Mobile Bay—ideal for a quieter day trip without the big-town crowds. Local travel safety: ALEA is reminding drivers to slow down and watch for school buses and pedestrians as classes resume, especially around school zones and crosswalks. Fuel watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas in Mobile County at $3.22 (week ending Aug. 8), with the county average at $3.61.

Gulf Coast Health Alert: Vibrio vulnificus “flesh-eating” bacteria deaths and cases are rising across the region, including Alabama health officials reporting 16 vibriosis cases and at least one death—Mobile County exposure is tied to a cut while emptying crab traps—so beachgoers and anyone with open wounds are urged to avoid Gulf waters and seek care fast if symptoms appear. Shoals Tourism: SkyDog Shoals: The Shoals Experience in Florence (Aug. 28–30) now offers single-day tickets for its inaugural weekend, with music and daytime programming at Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa and the Shoals Convention Center. Sea Turtle Season: Share the Beach says Alabama’s 2026 nesting count is strong, with 89 sea turtle nests so far (85 loggerhead, plus Kemp’s ridley and green turtles), and asks visitors to keep beaches clean, flat, and dark at night. Orange Beach Hiring: The city is seeking a director of operations for the Coastal Arts Center, overseeing events, grants, outreach, and the waterfront venue’s annual art festival. Local Business/Travel Economy: Birmingham restaurateur Nick Pihakis has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, with debts reported over $44 million, after closures across his restaurant group.