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Birmingham Business Alliance Names Martina Winston Chief Business & Member Engagement Officer

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Birmingham Times
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Martina Winston is the new Chief Business & Member Engagement Officer for the Birmingham Business Alliance. (Provided)

The Birmingham Times

Martina Winston is the new Chief Business & Member Engagement Officer for the BBA, the economic development organization has announced.

Winston began in her role on Monday and will lead the Birmingham Business Alliance’s efforts to strengthen business relationships, expand member and investor services, and support small business growth throughout the Greater Birmingham Region.

“Martina is a connector and a builder, and I know she will excel at translating vision into action in this role,” said Steve Ammons, BBA President and CEO. “Her experience in cultivating relationships, connecting and convening key groups of people, and leading organizations in a transformational way will help us deepen our connection to Birmingham’s business and civic communities and strengthen the value we deliver to our investors.”

With more than 20 years of experience leading people and community engagement initiatives, Winston has a record of driving inclusion, workforce development and organizational growth, according to the BBA.

“Our region is full of talented people and innovative businesses that truly care about our community,” Winston said. “I’m honored to step into this role, and I’m looking forward to joining the BBA team to help contribute to its mission of advancing prosperity and building a strong, connected business culture across the Greater Birmingham Region.”

In addition to helping businesses join and capitalize on their benefits, she will lead the planning and execution of regional business engagement events that drive business growth and engagement and that connect businesses to each other, elected leaders and community stakeholders. These events include the BBA’s quarterly networking lunches and monthly First Round events, as well as ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and other signature gatherings.

Winston previously served at Protective Life in a variety of roles from 2014 to 2025, most recently as Vice President and Head of Talent, Inclusion & Engagement. In that role, she partnered with senior leaders to drive engagement, workforce transformation, and inclusive leadership. She also collaborated with Protective’s parent company, Dai-ichi Life in Tokyo, to manage global talent programs. A former Vice President at Regions Financial and District HR Manager at Best Buy, Winston has been known as a strategic relationship builder, who bridges community, business and government with authenticity and purpose.

With BBA’s five-year strategic economic development plan set to take effect in the coming months, Winston will coordinate her chamber relations efforts to align with the region’s broader growth goals.

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Winston lives in Pelham with her husband, Corey, and their children, Jada and Jordan.

What Sheriff Mark Pettway is Saying After JeffCo Jail Not Required to House Birmingham Inmates

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Birmingham Times
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The Alabama Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision in favor of Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway. (File)

By Heather Gann | hgann@al.com

The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by the city of Birmingham against Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, upholding that the Jefferson County Jail is not legally required to accept city inmates without a valid warrant.

The dispute began in Feb. 2024 when Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin filed a complaint claiming Pettway was obligated to house city arrestees in the county jail.

That claim followed the termination of a memorandum of understanding between the city and the county to temporarily house city inmates, according to a recent news release from the sheriff’s office.

The agreement ended after both sides could not reach terms on compensation and operational responsibilities, it says.

Although the Supreme Court found that Jefferson County Circuit Court’s reasoning for dismissing the city’s complaint was procedurally incorrect, the decision was valid because there is no state law that requires the sheriff to accept city arrestees without a warrant, according to court documents.

The court concluded that arrestees detained by the city for violations of state law can remain in the city jail until a magistrate issues a warrant.

“This decision affirms what we’ve maintained from the beginning, that the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office operates under the rule of law, not political pressure,” Pettway said in the release.

“We have always been willing to work with the City of Birmingham, but any agreement must be fair to Jefferson County taxpayers and follow proper legal standards.”

“My priority is to keep our facilities secure and our operations transparent, so that every resident of Jefferson County knows we’re doing things the right way,” he continued.

Representatives for Woodfin said he was unavailable for comment Sunday afternoon.

750,000 Alabamians at Risk of Losing SNAP Benefits after Nov. 1

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Birmingham Times
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Alabama's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have been paused. (Adobe Stock)

By Bria Chatman | WBRC

The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced on Monday, Oct. 27 that SNAP benefits will be suspended for November.

Any SNAP benefit recipients who still have benefits left from October, you must spend them before the week is over.

All of this comes as the government shutdown stretches into nearly a month. Lawmakers are working to keep SNAP funded, but in the meantime, families in our area are worried.

A mother with a newborn baby told WBRC that her SNAP benefits are already gone, and she doesn’t know how she’ll feed her child. Another man, 63, said that without these benefits, he’s not sure where his next meal will come from.

“The babies have to eat. Something has to be done. Something’s got to give. We got to eat,” said one SNAP recipient who didn’t want to show his face or share his name.

He said he’s worried about how the government shutdown will affect his SNAP benefits after the news of November’s benefits being suspended was shared.

“It’ll impact me because I won’t have enough money to get by every month. Social Security can only go so far,” he said.

More than 300,000 Alabama households depend on SNAP benefits — including over 300,000 children. With more people turning to food assistance, organizations like the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama say they’re already feeling the strain.

Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, said the government shutdown is creating a crisis for families.

“Honestly, the government shutdown is a crisis for many families. We expect to see longer lines and more people needing food. Earlier this year, the USDA cut about three million pounds of food — that’s two and a half million meals we can’t provide in 2025. We’ll probably be feeding fewer people this year,” Williams said.

Adrian Anderson, SNAP coordinator for the Community Food Bank, echoed that concern.

“A lot more people will go hungry without those supplemental benefits to help them budget for food each month,” Anderson said.

Both women say the shutdown could create a crisis for thousands of Alabama families.

Today, Senator Katie Britt announced her support for the Keep SNAP Funded Act, a plan to keep benefits flowing during the shutdown. “My team and I will stay in touch with state officials as we work toward solutions that ease the pain countless Alabamians and Americans are feeling due to Democrats’ selfishness.”

Recipients say help can’t come soon enough.

“They’re playing games in Congress, from what I understand. One side wants one thing, and the other wants something different. I’m sure they’ll compromise, but when? Who’s going to start?” another recipient said.

Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell also weighed in on the suspension, “The bottom line is that the Trump Administration does not need to cut off benefits for November. They are choosing to do so instead of releasing the billions in SNAP contingency funding that Congress made available for situations like this. They are choosing to let families go hungry.”

How Birmingham’s Portia Lawson Healed After Heart Surgery and Bladder Cancer in Same Year

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Birmingham Times
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Portia Lawson recently celebrated with her fellow survivors and sisters during the annual Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies Sistah Strut at Legion Field. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Portia Lawson, who lives in Birmingham’s Ensley community, recalls the phone call last year from her doctor: “He told me that he found cancer cells in my urethra,” she said.

“It was quite a shock to me because I had just gotten over a quadruple bypass heart surgery that same year,” she continued. “I was back in the gym, and here comes the cancer bomb. I did the natural crying. I just had to suck it up and knew I had to be strong. … I had to accept it. It was hard, but I did accept it.”

There were a lot of tests, appointments, and a lot she didn’t understand when she was first diagnosed with urethral cancer in September 2024, Lawson said.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Urethral cancer is a rare cancer. … [It] is a condition in which cancerous (malignant) cells form tumors in the tissues of your urethra. … Your urethra is the tube that lets urine, a waste product, leave your body.”

“Although my mom died with ovarian cancer and two of my [seven] sisters had mastectomies, I knew a little [about cancer] but not enough,” she said. “[There was] so much to deal with. … I was told the cancer was rare and very aggressive,” Lawson said.

Lawson’s doctors informed her that they wanted to do cystectomy, “which consisted of the removal of my bladder, my urethra, my uterus, and everything,” she said.

Portia Lawson was first diagnosed with urethral cancer in September 2024. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Ray of Hope

Though she was prepared to undergo a procedure, Lawson got a ray of hope.

“God made it so that I didn’t need the surgery. They decided to give me radiation and chemotherapy,” she said.

From there Lawson went through various treatments, including a suprapubic catheter that she had to wear for four months.

“A hole was in my lower stomach, a tube was placed there then run into my bladder, [and] a bag was wrapped around my leg,” she explained. “I was really uncomfortable, but I had to endure it. I went through with what I had to go through in order to get better.”

Last month, on Sept. 5, Lawson learned she was cancer free. Four weeks later, she celebrated with her fellow survivors and sisters during the annual Brenda’s Brown Bosom Buddies (BBBB) Sistah Strut at Legion Field.

“I called Mrs. Brenda [Hong, founder of BBBB] and asked her if it was fine if I participate because I have bladder cancer. I wanted to see if we could celebrate [a survivor of] bladder cancer while we celebrated breast cancer survivors,” said Lawson, 73.

Hong said her organization is designed specifically to improve health conditions for anyone in the wider community.

“We don’t block any awareness that’s going to help our community,” Hong told The Birmingham Times. “We know, first of all, that a lot of us in our community don’t like to go to the doctor. Number two, some of us don’t even have insurance. So, to be inclusive is our goal. … We don’t rule out anything or anybody because we know our community needs help.”

“Trusting In God Almighty”

Lawson credits the strength and support of family— especially her husband, Darryl Lawson — for helping her to make it through, she said.

The mother of four and retired Birmingham City Schools middle school teacher and custodian recalls the wonderful support.

“[My husband] was a huge supporter. He was so patient and kind,” Lawson said. “Even the technicians in the chemotherapy and the radiation center [at Baptist Princeton Medical Center] were a huge blessing. … From my church family at Lily Grove Missionary Baptist Church in North Birmingham, Druid Hills, to my four children — [Willie Copeland III, Valerie Copeland, Monica Copeland, and Kimberly Blue] — to my sister, Linda Alston, I had so much support.”

While the cancer fight was the “most difficult experience in my life thus far,” Lawson said, “trusting in God Almighty I was never worried, … nor was I afraid.”

After learning she was cancer free in September, Lawson quoted a Bible verse: Romans 8:37 — “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Lawson added, “God brought me through heart surgery and bladder cancer. … What God did for me can do for others.”

And she’s even returned to the gym.

Magic City Classic 2025: Alabama State Dominates Alabama A&M

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Birmingham Times
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Alabama State University defeated in-state rival Alabama A&M 56–13 on Saturday afternoon in the 84th Magic City Classic. (ASU Photo)

From Wire Reports

Alabama State University football delivered a commanding performance in the 84th Magic City Classic, defeating in-state rival Alabama A&M 56–13 on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in front of a crowd of 69,372 fans.

The win was the Hornets fourth straight win in the Magic City Classic. Jalil Lenore and Birmingham native Jalen Jones were named the MCC’s defensive and offensvie MVPs.

Quarterback Andrew Body led the way for the Hornets, putting together a near-perfect outing. The junior completed 19 of 24 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score to pace an Alabama State offense that rolled up 616 total yards.

The Hornets’ offensive surge began early and never slowed. After Alabama A&M struck first with an 8-yard touchdown run, Alabama State answered with 21 unanswered points in the opening quarter, capped by a 17-yard touchdown run from Marcu Harris II to take a 21–6 lead.

Body threw four touchdowns in the first half, including two to Dylan Creech, one to Harris, and a 59-yard strike to Jones, who finished the day with seven receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Dylan Djete also added a score on an 18-yard reception in the second quarter as the Hornets built a 49–6 halftime lead.

Alabama State continued its dominance in the third quarter with a 13-yard touchdown run from Jahbari Kuykendall, who also led all rushers with 101 yards on seven carries. The Hornets’ rushing attack totaled 303 yards on 40 attempts, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.

Defensively, Alabama State stifled the Bulldogs, limiting them to just 143 total yards and forcing two interceptions while recording four sacks.

The Hornets converted on all seven red-zone opportunities and committed zero turnovers, controlling possession for more than 33 minutes of the game.

With the victory, Alabama State improved to 5–2 overall and 3–1 in SWAC play, while Alabama A&M dropped to 4–4 (1–3 SWAC).

Magic City Classic Parade

The Magic City Classic Parade, presented by Disney on the Yard, took over downtown Birmingham on Saturday morning. The event featured an array of bands, dance teams, and entertainment, including performances from Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University. Despite the weather, the parade proceeded rain or shine, starting at 18th Street N and 7th Avenue N.

Highlights included appearances by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Rep. Terri Sewell and Sen. Rodger Smitherman. The lineup also featured the ASU Mighty Marching Hornet Band, the Marching Maroon and White Band from Alabama A&M, and numerous local high school bands and community groups.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of floats, including those from Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Alabama Power, as well as performances by cheerleaders, dance teams, and other local organizations. The parade was a vibrant celebration of community spirit and talent.

Birmingham Police Response

The Birmingham Police Department expressed gratitude to visitors, fans and the local community for their support during the 84th Amazon Magic City Classic.

Chief Michael Pickett highlighted the event’s success, noting it remains the largest HBCU event in the nation. “Our officers truly felt the positive energy and spirit from everyone who attended and participated in this year’s events,” he said.

The collaboration with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Jefferson County EMA was instrumental in ensuring a safe celebration. Pickett proudly reported no major incidents at Legion Field, emphasizing the city’s commitment to a secure and enjoyable weekend.

Birmingham Honors Renowned Artist Joe Minter with Prestigious City Award

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Birmingham Times
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Sculptor Joe Minter was honored during tthe City of Birmingham’s AWAKEN event, held annually during Magic City Classic Week. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

With a theme that included the words “art,” “justice” and “creativity” the Birmingham Museum of Art was the ideal place on Friday to honor renowned sculptor Joe Minter.

The City of Birmingham’s AWAKEN event, held annually during Magic City Classic Week, was themed “Art as Resistance — Awakening Justice Through Creativity” and drew artists, art lovers, and community members to celebrate Minter’s indelible impact on the arts and the enduring role of art as a force for justice and resistance.

“There is something powerful about Joe Minter. We celebrate him because he is authentically Birmingham,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “We also celebrate him because he’s not afraid to tell the truth about our journey. Joe Minter knows that with creativity, with perseverance, with those things, you can rewrite your story. You can build a new village from the ground up. You can find a home.”

Woodfin presented Minter with the Putting People First Award which recognizes the sculptor’s pursuit of equity and justice.

For his part, Minter had little to say but allowed others to speak of his achievements. “I’m just a cry in the wilderness.” Minter said in brief remarks. “This is all I’m gonna say.”

Minter earned international acclaim for his profound and moving sculptural works that chronicle African American history and the ongoing struggle for Civil Rights. His was lauded for his unique artistic vision, forged from the materials and memories of Birmingham itself and has resonated with those seeking to understand the city’s past and envision a more just future.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin presented Joe Minter with the Putting People First Award. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

His work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C., and others.

Friday’s event featured a discussion panel of local and national artists that included, storyteller and craftivist Wilhelmina Thomas, visual artist Willie E. Williams, Jr. and arts administrator John Fields, senior director of UAB Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts.

Each shared stories of how Minter’s work has inspired their own creative journeys.

Gina Mallisham, the executive director of the Jefferson County Memorial Project, moderated the conversation and ended by thanking Minter for “30 years of witness, for transforming scrap metal into a sacred memory, for insisting that recognition matters. Your work doesn’t just document our history. It demands that we reckon with, and learn from it, and carry it forward.”

‘Real Progress’: Birmingham Schools Chief Gets Passing Grade from Board

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Birmingham Times
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The Birmingham School Board gave Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan a favorable review this week. (File)

dcwins.com

The Birmingham school board on Thursday gave Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan a favorable review in an evaluation that was heavily weighted to measure outcomes for students and the system overall.

School board member Mary Boehm, chair of the superintendent’s evaluation committee, said Sullivan met expectations when looking at measurable achievements in the district as well as more subjective criteria.

The board gave Sullivan an overall score of 3.3 on a 4-point scale.

Objective measurements, which accounted for 70 percent of the score, included progress tied to the system’s strategic plan, such as academic achievement, student well-being, staff effectiveness, customer service, and district accountability. More subjective measures in areas such as leadership and community relations accounted for the remaining 30 percent of the evaluation.

“This school board has a track record of focusing on results,” said Board President Jason Meadows. “There’s no denying that we have seen real progress in our schools under Dr. Sullivan’s leadership. Our students’ academic growth has been cited at the state and national level, and this evaluation reflects our confidence that we are absolutely moving in the right direction.”

Sullivan said he and the board share the same goals for Birmingham City Schools.

“We want to make sure all students can reach their full potential and achieve their dreams,” he said. “I appreciate the board’s confidence that we are heading in the right direction, and I am going to keep working as hard as I can to achieve the results we all want to see – not so that I can get good evaluations, but for the benefit of the students we serve.”

Sullivan is a product of Birmingham City Schools. He has served as superintendent since 2020 and has worked in the system for more than 25 years.

Magic City Classic 2025: Birmingham City Schools Principals Will Root for Former Students. With 1 Exception

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Birmingham Times
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Ramsay High School Principal Carolyn Russell-Walker will be Miss Magic City Classic at this year’s game. (Solomon Crenshaw Jr., For The Birmingham Times)

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | For The Birmingham Times

Ramsay High School Principal Carolyn Russell-Walker can be found anywhere in Legion Field during the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola on Saturday, Oct. 25. “I sit everywhere,” she said. “I’ll sit in the box. I’ll sit in the stands. I’ll walk on the field.”

This year, Russell-Walker plans to spend some time in the royal court as she will be Miss Magic City Classic, a title she carries after being elected by the Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Birmingham Alumni Association. She earned her doctorate at AAMU after beginning her collegiate journey at that institution.

Russell-Walker obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and began teaching from Miles College in 2000 after initially studying at A&M. She then earned a master’s degree at Alabama State and an education specialist (Ed.S) degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The Ramsay principal thus has room in her heart for the royal blue and white of the high school she has guided since 2020. She has love for former Ramsay students who align with either of the Classic’s competing institutions, and other institutions of high education that her former students attend.

“It’s dual,” she said of her loyalty. “I’m happy for [former students] and their family to be able to participate in collegiate athletics and to see their dream continue to unfold. I am excited because I had a chance to meet and know them personally.

“I will cheer for Alabama State when they’re not playing Alabama A&M, but I will cheer for my boys that play for Alabama State, if that makes sense,” Russell-Walker said. “I want to always have boys on both of those teams.”

Parker High School Principal Darrell Hudson is a proud alumnus of Alabama State University. (File)

“Representing Our Brand”

Parker High School Principal Darrell Hudson is a proud alumnus of Alabama State University Class of 1994. There is no question whether the ASU board member will be in attendance and who he supports. “But more importantly, I love to see not only the students on the football team, but in the band as well.”

Hudson joked that he’s supportive of former Parker students who wind up at rival Alabama A&M except on the last Saturday in October from 2:30 p.m. to about 6. “I’ll pick it back up after the game,” he mused. “I don’t care if they’re in the band, they’re cheerleaders, they’re the mascot. I don’t want to have anything to do with them until after that game.”

But a wry laugh revealed his deep Parker purple pride.

“I still support them, to be honest with you,” Hudson admitted. “Even when we (ASU) played UAB, we have several (former Parker) football players on the UAB football team. When those guys came over, even though I had all my Alabama State stuff on, and they hugged my neck.

“It’s a sense of joy but it’s bigger than that because, one, they’re able to go further their education and go to school free,” he added. “More importantly, they are not only students there, but they are representing our brand. It gives hope to other students, the underclassmen and the seniors here.”

Hudson hopes it’s easy for current Parker students to connect the dots. If someone who advanced from the school on Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard can make it to college, maybe they can envision the same future for themselves.

“I love to see them – cheerleaders, band, trainers,” he said. “It’s just a very special day that last Saturday in October … I always tell them when I look in the football catalog and see [sophomore athlete] ‘Eric Tarrant, Parker High School, Alabama State University.’ It’s a sense of joy, a sense of pride. It just really warms my heart to know that they’re carrying our brand at that particular level.”

Rich History

Henry Pope, athletic director of Birmingham City Schools, has no direct ties to ASU or AAMU since he received his college education at Miles College. But he’s proud of every Birmingham City Schools product who is in college.

Pope expects to be at Legion Field for the Classic.

“I don’t go every year but we try to go, especially when we have a lot of our kids that are playing,” he said. “We have a few guys from Ramsay on their teams and a couple of guys from Wenonah. We try to get out there and see our guys. We like to see Birmingham City School kids.”

The Birmingham school system has a rich history of sending football players to top football programs. Among them are Ensley High product Cornelius Bennett, Jackson-Olin High alumnus David Palmer and Sam Shade, the Alabama A&M coach who came out of Wenonah High.

“Throughout the years, Birmingham has had a lot of talent and everyone comes to get our kids,” Ramsay coach Ronnie Jackson said. “It makes sense for you to come through here and get our kids because we definitely have talent here.”

But Pope’s pride doesn’t stop at the big schools. “We take pride in our kids going anywhere they have an opportunity to continue their education and to play the sport they love. Me being an HBCU kid myself, I definitely take pride in that.”

The 84th Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola pits the Alabama Agriculture & Mechanical Bulldogs against the Alabama State Hornets at 2:30 p.m. Central on Saturday, Oct. 25, at historic Legion Field. The game is available via livestream on ESPN+ and will air via tape delay on ESPNU at 10 p.m. Central.

Jefferson County Approves Incentives for Company’s Projected $24.5 Million Capital Investment

By
Birmingham Times
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ITU AbsorbTech, the largest Wisconsin-based supplier of environmentally friendly industrial absorbents, towels, mats, garments, will make a $24.5 million capital investment in JeffMet McCalla. (Provided)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday agreed to abate non-educational sales taxes for a Wisconsin-based industrial laundry business to locate in Jefferson Metropolitan Park McCalla (JeffMet McCalla).

ITU AbsorbTech, the largest Wisconsin-based supplier of environmentally friendly industrial absorbents, towels, mats, garments, will make a $24.5 million capital investment in JeffMet McCalla and create nearly 40 jobs paying an average of nearly $30 an hour, according to county officials.

The construction of a new 50,000-square facility could begin by early 2026 and would be the first location for the company in the state of Alabama. County officials say they won the project over three other states.

Jefferson County Commissioner Mike Bolin, the Commission liaison to Economic Development.

“We’re excited to welcome ITU AbsorbTech’s $24.5 million investment to Jefferson County,” said Commissioner Mike Bolin, the Commission liaison to Economic Development. “This project brings high-quality jobs averaging nearly $30 an hour and showcases the strength of our industrial assets like the JeffMet property.”

As for infrastructure, workforce readiness, and strategic site capacity, Bolin said the county is ready for future projects and the one approved Thursday “is precisely the type of investment we sought when we laid the groundwork for JeffMet and partnered with JCEIDA (Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority.”

JCEIDA was formed in 1995 by the Jefferson County Commission with a mission to provide an inventory of commercial sites for new and expanding businesses.

“[ITU AbsorbTech] is a new tenant to the state of Alabama so it’s a win for the state, the county and the local park,” said Othell Phillips, executive director of JCEIDA.

Supporting the project with 10-year sales and use tax abatement “is a smart investment in our workforce, our economy, and our future growth,” Bolin said.

He continued, “bringing this facility to the JeffMet property means we are leveraging one of our key industrial assets — strategically located and built to attract companies who are ready to hit the ground running. This kind of project not only creates direct employment, but generates meaningful ripple effects.”

Jeff Traywick, the Jefferson County Commission’s Economic Development Advisor, said the goal is “to assist companies that are going to move the needle when it comes to the local economy tax creation but most importantly job and wages.”

The average wage in Jefferson County runs about $27 an hour and ITU AbsorbTech pays nearly $30 and even that “moves that needle a little bit, and every time we do that it shifts things a little bit more,” he explained, “ … so as we recruit more of these companies those overall wages tend to pick up and we’ve seen good results with that.”

The estimated economic return over the life of the project would generate $522,000 to the county’s general fund and $1.4 million to education, Traywick said.

The agreement brings a number of benefits for the county, Bolin said.  “We’re making a commitment to our residents: better jobs, stronger tax base over time, and a reaffirmation that Jefferson County remains open for business and is ready to compete for high‑value, job‑creating projects.”

Classic Matchup: Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State in Birmingham

By
Birmingham Times
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Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University will face off in the 84th Magic City Classic on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Legion Field. The kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m. (File)

By Donald Hunt | For The Birmingham Times

After a week off, Alabama State and Alabama A&M should be ready to battle each other in arguably one of the biggest HBCU games of the year. The two long time rivals will play in the 84th Magic City Classic on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Birmingham’s Legion Field. The kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m.

ASU (4-2, 2-1) leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference in offense. The Hornets are averaging 39.5 points a game. ASU is led by quarterback Andrew Body who has completed 111-of-161 passing attempts for 1,729 yards with 19 touchdowns and just one interception this season. Body leads the SWAC in passing.

He’s also the top rusher in the SWAC with 73 carries for 613 yards. Joining him in the backfield are running backs Jahbari Kuykendall (46 carries for 436 yards and 1 TD) and Jamarie Hostzclaw (73 rushes for 371 yards and 4TDs).

The Hornets have been able to move the ball through the air with wide receivers Jalen Jones, from Birmingham’s Ramsay High School (25 catches for 502 yards and 7 TDs) and Ajai Harrell (19 receptions for 365 yards and 3 TDs).

On the other side of the ledger, AAMU (4-3, 1-2) can score a lot of points as well. The Bulldogs averaging 31.9 points a game. AAMU has a talented signal caller with Cornelious Brown IV who has connected on 81-of-125 passes for 1,080 yards and seven TDs. The Bulldogs’ wide receivers Franck Pierre (22 catches for 421 yards and 4 TDs) and Daveon Walker (24 receptions for 345 yards and 4 TDs) are real playmakers.

This game has the potential to be a high scoring contest.

In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Miles College (2-6, 2-3) will visit Central State (2-4, 2-6) on Saturday, Oct. 25 with a two-game winning streak. The kickoff will be at 12 p.m. Miles College is coming off a 27-20 victory over Clark Atlanta. Running backs Edward Osley and Roderick Thomas should provide the Golden Bears with a solid ground attack against the Marauders.

In other SIAC action, Tuskegee University (2-5, 1-4) will host Allen University (2-5, 2-3) on Saturday, Oct. 25. The kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Tuskegee University suffered 7-3 loss to Albany State, which happens to be one of the best teams in the SIAC. The Golden Tigers’ defensive back Mikael King Jr. has been a real steady player. King has 25 total and 19 solo tackles along with two interceptions this season.

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