Riley signs incentives bill

Gov. Bob Riley signed a bill on Tuesday that economic development officials believe will attract more industry to the state.
The Legislature passed the bill during its most recent session. Riley and lawmakers have said they believe Alabama has done well in recruiting industrial jobs, but needed more incentives for research and development facilities, companies exploring "green jobs," company headquarters and other higher-paying white collar jobs.
"It retools our economic development strategy and lays the foundation to move us forward and come out of this recession stronger than before," Riley said in a statement.
Alabama is competing to bring about 7,000 jobs in those industries to the state, according to the governor's office.
"Without this change in our incentives law we were fighting for these projects with one hand tied behind our back,” Riley said. "Now, with this change, we'll be competing with other states on a level playing field."

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen
photo provided by the office of Gov. Bob Riley