I am so proud to tell you, it’s a new day in Alabama. We have new leadership at the helm that is devoted and dedicated to honesty and integrity, and Alabama is open for business!”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

FOLEY – Alabama Governor Kay Ivey visited the area on Sept 29, and one of her stops was at the Leadership Series event hosted by the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. During the event, Ivey spoke to those in attendance about many pressing issues, such as the upcoming 2020 census, economic development, and her new education initiative.

2020 CENSUS

“Each of us in this room has a common goal of helping Alabamians have the opportunity to achieve his or her dreams and ambitions,” Ivey said. “And we can do that in part by receiving, filling out, and returning the census forms that will be coming out in 2020.”

Though it is still currently a few years off, Ivey emphasized how important it is for everyone to begin planning now, as Alabama is in jeopardy of losing a congressional seat, and more.

“In addition to losing a voice in Washington, we will be losing a sizable amount of federal dollars that are necessary and that we all utilize to operate our state and our areas,” Ivey said.

Ivey stressed the importance of preparing now, making sure all new addresses have been sent to the Census Bureau, and to encourage family members, coworkers, and friends to fill out and return the census in 2020.

“The funds that ADECA gets at a state level are so useful to so many of us for so many things,” said Ivey. “They’re all federal funds, and they’re in jeopardy. And there are several state agencies who receive high amounts of federal dollars, so we must have a strong participation in our upcoming census.”

According to a study conducted at George Washington University, one person counted in a census equates to the state receiving $1,567. If you take a family of 4 who does not participate in the census, the difference it makes already begins to show.

“I’ve got to impress upon you that this is serious business for our state going forward, and for our future,” Ivey reinstated. “So help us all have a good, high participation rate.”

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Listen and Learn Tour that took place earlier this year was a way for Ivey to better serve the people of Alabama by traveling to different areas and learning directly from the citizens what are their most pressing needs and wants. Some of the main results Ivey learned during her tour was the need for improved infrastructures, improved education, continued work force development, and more support to attract new businesses.

“Be assured that my team and I are addressing these needs,” Ivey said. “Infrastructure support is very important to all of you on the Gulf Coast, and my team are certainly focused on infrastructure as well.”

Another announcement from Ivey was on the new Gulf State Park facility, which is expected to open fall of 2018.

“Once completed, this new state of the art resort will be the crown jewel of the Gulf Coast,” said Ivey. “This is going to be a world-class destination, there’s not going to be anything else like it in the world … And the new Gulf State Park will not only bring patrons for the park, but they’ll also be spending money at restaurants and other establishments in your area.”

JOBS AND EDUCATION

Ivey states that before she took office, the state of Alabama went through a period during which the efforts to recruit new investments, establish new jobs, and conduct the regular order of business for the people of the state were hindered.

“I am so proud to tell you, it’s a new day in Alabama,” Ivey said. “We have new leadership at the helm that is devoted and dedicated to honesty and integrity, and Alabama is open for business!”

While Ivey states that Alabama still faces many challenges, the presence of good paying, high quality jobs can help in solving those problems, something Alabama is seeing more of.

“Over the last 5 months, we have announced the investment of 2 billion dollars in our state and the addition of some 5,000 new jobs,” Ivey said.

In August, the unemployment rate dropped once more, which it has done each of the 5 months Ivey has been in office. It is now at 4.2 percent, and these last few months have seen the largest month to month drop in the nation. Ivey says that more Alabamians are working today than in the last 10 years.

A factor of developing good jobs is having a good education, and Ivey has already begun a plan to address education problems in the state.

“Recently I announced my education initiative, Strong Start, Strong Finish,” Ivey said.

Ivey says for too long certain segments of educational endeavors have operated divided, and under her initiative she hopes to unify the efforts to bring the entire state a quality education.

There are three core phases of an individual’s learning journey, which are all addressed in the initiative: early childhood education, pre-high school, and post-high school. The goal is to have high standards which will produce high and proficient student learning.

The first stage is taking what’s working in Pre-K and integrating it with the lessons taught in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, and is called Pre-Through-3. Ivey states that if a child is not at reading level by the end of grade 3, then they are 4 times less likely to graduate from high school.

“Statistics relating to reading proficiency are used to calculate and determine the number of prison beds that are needed,” Ivey said. “When a child finishes the 3rd grade, he or she must be reading at grade level.”

The second feature of the initiative is CS for AL, which stands for Computer Science for Alabama, during which students will be taught decoding, computer programming, and software design starting in middle school.

“Providing a basis for computer sciences brings good opportunities for our young people and gives them a head start to getting high demand jobs,” Ivey said. “We live in a technology driven world, and our educational system has got to start teaching in a technology driven way.”

The final stage is Advanced Training, Better Jobs. During this state, students would be prepared not just for today’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s jobs.

“By 2020, 62 percent of all the jobs in Alabama are going to require a post-secondary certificate, a 2-year degree, a 4-year degree, or a PHD,” Ivey said. “It’s going to require something beyond high school. And today, our work force only has 37 percent in the work force that have at least a certificate past high school. That gap has got to be addressed.”

She hopes to encourage young people to finish high school through Start Strong, Finish Strong, and believes that when students receive both, they are ready and prepared to enter the work force after school.

CLOSING WORDS

“This area is truly one of my favorite areas to travel in when I travel the state,” Ivey said. “You are always growing businesses, you are always bringing in new residents, and you encourage expansion … It is my goal as governor to supplement your efforts and to partner with you in achieving economic success for this area.”

Even though there is still more to be accomplished, Ivey states that she is humbled by the progress that has already been made, and that whenever it is time for her period as governor to end, she hopes to leave Alabama stronger and better than when she found it.

“Just know as long as I’m in office at the state level as governor, you’ve got a strong voice for you, to help you continue to grow,” Ivey said. “I salute you, Baldwin County, and the entire Gulf Coast region, and I am so honored to be your governor.”