Last week, Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed, R-Jasper, received the 2019 Legislator of the Year award from the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) at their annual meeting in Montgomery.
Senator Reed has long been a strong advocate of economic development in Alabama. In 2015 he was the Senate sponsor for the Alabama Jobs Act and more recently sponsored the Alabama Incentives Act in 2019.
“It would not be an overstatement to say that these two pieces of legislation have been paramount to the economic success we are enjoying in Alabama today especially in Senate District 5.” Reed said.
Alabama finished the decade with a previously unheard-of unemployment rate below 3 percent.
Reed also mentioned that the Republican led Legislature has ensured that any economic development legislation has been passed in a fiscally responsible way that maximized the benefits to Alabama.
“The Alabama Jobs Act and Alabama Investments Act were passed with sunset provisions so the Legislature could ensure that Alabama was receiving the best deal possible when new businesses came into the state. It is now time we looked at the results and I think everyone can agree that we are indeed getting a good deal, so much so that I do not see a problem with them being renewed.”
“I would like to thank the EDAA for all of the hard work they do to recruit businesses to Alabama. They ensure that quality jobs are coming to Alabama for Alabamians. But our work is not done, we must continue to build on our success and work with Department of Commerce to increase development and job opportunities in rural Alabama.” Reed said.
Jim Searcy, Executive Director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama thanked Senator Reed for all of his support in the name of economic development.
“There is no greater champion of economic development in the Legislature than Senator Reed,” Searcy said. “I, along with everyone at the EDAA, thank him for his many contributions and I look forward continuing to work with him as we bring high quality jobs to Alabama.”
Senator Reed also expressed appreciation to the EDAA for their recognition.
“I would like to thank the EDAA for presenting me with their Legislator of the Year award, and I look forward to working with them as we continue to make Alabama the best place to in live in the United States.”
Greg Reed represents District 5 in the Alabama State Senate, which includes all or parts of Walker, Fayette, Winston, Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties. He serves as the Senate Majority Leader.
