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State Delegates Bring Legislative Reports To Auburn

Alabama State Senator Ted Little and State Representative Mike Hubbard had breakfast with Auburn residents Thursday morning. They updated the crowd on the recent legislative session and how east Alabama will benefit from it.

The latest Alabama legislative session shoveled money into east Alabama, especially for education. The Legislature passed a $1.1 billion bond to help schools upgrade facilities.

"Auburn (University) will get something over $30 million of that. Auburn University Montgomery will get about $5 million. The Auburn-Opelika-Lee County school systems all together will get some $16 million of that," said Little, D-Auburn.

In addition to education, industries have poured into east Alabama the last few years.

"What's happening with our industrial park, which we continue to make such good announcements, and what's happening with the Opelika industrial park. I just think we're a blessed community," Little said.

The state recently landed ThyssenKrupp, a massive German steel manufacturer.

"You might not know this, but it is the largest non-public project in the history of the United States. This company is strong, and what they're spending in billions of dollars, it's all cash," said Hubbard, R-Auburn.

To help our area land more businesses, the Robert G. Pitts Auburn-Opelika Aairport is getting a new terminal and other upgrades.

"An airport is a key ingredient. It is a catalyst for economic development and job creation. So it's not something we're doing just so people can fly their airplanes. It is something we need that will pay dividends for the community," Hubbard said.

Auburn University is also receiving record appropriations. The school has seen an increase of $90 million over the last two years.