SB199 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, Shoals Economic Development Fund may be used for Workforce Training and Development Center, Sec. 45-17-91.23 am'd.
Summary: SB199 lets the Shoals Economic Development Fund be used to build a Workforce Training and Development Center in Lauderdale County and fund related training programs, with specific dollar matches and usage limits.
What This Bill Does
It amends the Shoals Economic Development Fund rules to authorize spending for a Workforce Training and Development Center on property owned by the Lauderdale County Commission (site to be determined). It also provides two equal-match grants of up to $5 million each: one for a Workforce Training Center on property owned by Northwest-Shoals Community College and the Lauderdale County Commission, and one for workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama. Additionally, it continues existing fund uses to attract and develop industry, acquire land, and build facilities, but imposes a cap of no more than 10% of annual county sales tax proceeds for such purposes and prohibits funding for shopping centers, hotels, stadiums, or similar retail facilities.

Who It Affects
Lauderdale County residents and the Lauderdale County Commission, through potential creation of a new Workforce Training and Development Center on county property and involvement in site selection and funding.
Higher education institutions (Northwest-Shoals Community College and the University of North Alabama) as recipients of matching funds to support workforce training facilities and programs.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 45-17-91.23 to allow a portion of the Shoals Economic Development Fund to be used for a Workforce Training and Development Center on property owned by the Lauderdale County Commission (site to be determined).
Provides an equal match of up to $5,000,000 for (a) constructing a Workforce Training and Development Center on property owned by Northwest-Shoals Community College and the Lauderdale County Commission, and (b) supporting workforce training and economic development programs at the University of North Alabama.
Imposes a limit that no more than 10% of the calendar year's county sales and use tax proceeds deposited into the Fund may be expended for these purposes.
Authorizes fund use to induce new manufacturing, industrial, and other enterprises; foster expansion of existing industries; acquire land for industrial use; construct buildings for lease or sale to eligible enterprises; and cover administrative costs, all within defined constraints.
Prohibits using Fund moneys to induce location of commercial/retail establishments, shopping centers, hotels, stadiums, or similar facilities, and requires expenditures to be for public purposes that promote economic development and non-retail jobs.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Colbert County