Alabama Business Group: Jones' Agenda Threatens Industrial Gains

The Business Council of Alabama is challenging Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones, arguing his policy proposals would reverse the state’s recent industrial boom. Helena Duncan, the group’s president and CEO, stated on Thursday that Jones’ agenda threatens the record economic growth Alabama has experienced, while she asserted that Senator Tommy Tuberville would build upon that success.

Duncan argued that Jones intends to abandon the policies that attracted major automakers to the state. She said, "Doug Jones is wrong for Alabama business, and his agenda would threaten our state’s record economic growth. He wants to walk away from the policies that helped bring Mercedes, Hyundai, and Honda to Alabama. That would put billions in future investment and thousands of Alabama jobs at risk."

The conflict centers on specific economic policies. Jones has campaigned against data center incentives, proposing a moratorium on new facilities and requiring developers to fund their own power and water. He also plans to redirect economic development spending toward small businesses and entrepreneurs. Duncan characterized these moves as a campaign of fear, stating, "Doug Jones is running a campaign of fear. He is criticizing the very job creators who are driving Alabama’s economic growth."

The council cites robust recent numbers to support its stance. Alabama recorded $14.6 billion in new and expanded capital investment in 2025 across 234 projects, creating 9,388 new job commitments. This marks the largest single-year total in state history. Duncan noted that companies like Eli Lilly and Georgia-Pacific chose Alabama following the implementation of the state’s 2023 Game Plan and 2024 Working for Alabama package.

Duncan, who has led the Montgomery-based lobbying group since December 2022, emphasized the competitive nature of state-level investment. She said, "Every state in the country is competing for the same plants and the same capital. When a company asks whether Alabama wants its investment, Doug Jones’ policies will send them to another state."

The group is actively supporting Tuberville, whose political affiliate ProgressPAC endorsed him in June 2025. Duncan described Tuberville’s platform as a pro-growth agenda focused on lower taxes, reduced regulations, and expanded manufacturing. She said, "Coach Tuberville has a plan to keep Alabama winning. Lower taxes. Less red tape. More manufacturing. A workforce trained for the jobs that are coming."

Duncan concluded by framing the upcoming election as a choice between maintaining the current trajectory or changing course. She said, "Alabama’s job creators know the difference between a plan to grow and no plan at all. That is why they are standing with Coach Tuberville on November 3."