SB420 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Lauderdale and Colbert Counties, Shoals Economic Development Fund, authorized to be used for workforce training and economic development programs at Univ. of North Alabama, Sec. 45-17-91.23 am'd
Summary: SB420 allows the Shoals Economic Development Fund to provide up to five million dollars as an equal match for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 45-17-91.23 to authorize using a portion of the Shoals Economic Development Fund for University of North Alabama workforce training and related programs. The fund supports economic development in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties, including attracting new industries, expanding existing ones, and funding related facilities and services. The bill adds a specific allowance for up to $5 million as an equal match to UNA programs. Existing rules about fund use remain, including caps on certain expenses and prohibitions on funding shopping centers, hotels, stadiums, or similar facilities.

Who It Affects
University of North Alabama — eligible to receive up to $5 million as an equal-matched investment from the Shoals Economic Development Fund for workforce training and economic development programs.
Lauderdale and Colbert Counties (and their municipalities/public corporations) — may administer or receive funds from the Shoals Economic Development Fund to promote job creation and economic development in the Shoals region; local workers and residents may benefit from the resulting programs.

Key Provisions
Adds subsection (c)(7): authorizes expending an equal match of up to $5,000,000 for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
The fund may be used to induce location or expansion of manufacturing, industrial, and research enterprises, warehousing/distribution, and related services, as described in the existing provisions.
Recipients of funds must use them for approved purposes and are accountable for misuse; the authority may expend funds without further action if otherwise authorized by law.
Administrative costs remain capped (no more than 10% of certain proceeds may be used for administrative expenses in a given year).
The expenditure of funds must promote public economic development and job creation, with wages aligning to established wage surveys, and the bill maintains prohibitions on using funds for shopping centers, hotels, stadiums, or similar facilities.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Lauderdale County