2026 PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA
ALCC MISSION
Serve our businesses. Promote our growth. Empower our community.
PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to codify the priorities of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce, as they relate to governmental activities.
PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this document is to unify the Chamber’s civic voice while amplifying the requests of those in our community at the federal, state, & local levels so long as they align with ALCC’s mission.
1…………………………………………………..United States Congress
2………………………………………….…State of Alabama Delegation
3………………………….………Athens/Limestone
UNITED STATES CONGRESS
Senator Katie Britt
Washington, D.C. Office
B40A Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5744
District Office
1000 Glenn Hearn Boulevard Suite 20125
Huntsville, AL 35824
Phone: (256) 429-3772
Field Representative Shanderla McMillian
Email: Shan_ McMilian@ britt.senate.gov
Senator Tommy Tuberville
Washington, D.C. Office B40A Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 228-4317
District Office 2101 Clinton Avenue W Suite 300
Huntsville, AL 35805
Phone: (256) 533-0989
Field Representative Brian Naugher
Email: Brian_Naugher @tuberville.senate.gov
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressman Dale Strong
Washington, D.C. Office 1335 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4801
District Office
Morgan County Courthouse, 302 Lee Street, Room 86, Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: (256) 355-9400
Field Representative Daniel Ceci
Email: Daniel.Ceci@ mail.house.gov
Governor
The Honorable Kay Ivey
Alabama State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36130
Phone: (334) 242-7100
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
The Honorable Will Ainsworth
Alabama State Capitol 600 Dexter Avenue
Alabama state senate
Limestone County Legislative Delegation Office 110 College Center, Suite E4, Athens, AL 35611 256-232-9068
Senator Tim Melson - District 1 Tim.Melson@alsenate.gov
Senator Tom Butler - District 2 senbutler@aol.com
Senator Arthur Orr - District 3 senator@arthurorr.com
Senator Larry Stutts - District 6 Larry.Stutts@alsenate.gov
Representative Ben Harrison - District 2 Ben.Harrison@alhouse.gov
Representative Parker Moore - District 4 Parker.Moore@alhouse.gov
Representative Danny Crawford - District 5 Danny.F. Crawford@gmail.com
Representative Andy Whitt - District 6 Andy. Whitt@alhouse.gov
Representative Phillip Rigsby - District 25 Reprigsbydistrict25@gmail.com
City of Athens
Mayor Ronnie Marks rmarks@athensal.us
Councilman Chris Seibert - District 1 cseibert@athensal.us
Councilman Allen Creasy - District 2 acreasy@athensal.us
Councilman James Lucas - District 3 jlucas@athensal.us
Councilwoman Dana Henry - District 4 dhenry@athensal.us
Councilwoman Amy Golden- District 5 amygolden@athensal.us
LIMESTONE COUNTY
Commissioner Collin Daly Chairman Collin.Daly@limestonecounty-al.gov
Commissioner David Ruf - District 1 David.Ruf@limestonecounty-al.gov
Commissioner Johnny Turner - District 2 Johnny.Turner@limestonecounty-al.gov
Commissioner Derrick Gatlin - District 3 Derrick.Gatlin@limestonecounty-al.gov
Commissioner LaDon Townsend - District 4 LaDon.Townsend@limestonecounty-al.gov
pUBLIC SAFETY
Federal Agenda
ALCC encourages our delegates to work closely with law enforcement and amplify their successes whenever possible to help combat the media’s disproportionate coverage of poor officer behavior.
State Agenda
• ALCC encourages the state to address the growing mental health crisis in our state
• ALCC supports the distinction between mental health facilities and detention facilities
• ALCC supports state financial aid for adequate mental health facilities
• ALCC supports state level grants for officer specialty training
Local Agenda
• ALCC supports continued cooperation with Athens City/Limestone County Schools
• ALCC encourages Athens City Council and Limestone County Commission to update law enforcement budgets in proportion to community growth
• ALCC encourages Athens City Council and Limestone County Commission to keep pace with surrounding communities’ law enforcement salaries
• ALCC encourages Limestone County Commission to explore options to address Limestone County Jail’s capacity
2026 Critical
• ALCC encourages elected officials at all levels of government to address the issues of officer retention and recruitment, these include:
-Public perception of law enforcement
-Compensation and benefits
-Qualification of candidates
HEALTHCARE
Federal Agenda
• ALCC supports federal policies that maintain a competitive healthcare marketplace with regard to both providers and pharmacies
• ALCC supports legislation that ensures the viability of small, privately owned pharmacies in light of their large, multi-national competition
State Agenda
• ALCC supports legislation that provides low-cost healthcare insurance to small business
• ALCC supports the Rural Hospital Investment Program
• ALCC encourages state officials to acknowledge that Athens Limestone Hospital is the sole acute healthcare provider in the fastest growing county in Alabama
-ALCC encourages state officials to consider the distinction above any grant selection process
-ALCC encourages state officials to consider the distinction above during any budget surplus distribution
• ALCC seeks support from our delegation on the construction of a new Athens Limestone Hospital facility
-ALCC encourages the Huntsville Hospital Organization to prioritize the aforementioned facility
• ALCC encourages Calhoun Community College and Athens State University to provide timely, applicable credentials/certifications, while receiving clear career paths from healthcare providers
Local Agenda
• ALCC encourages the Athens City Council and Limestone County Commission to consider the positive impacts of a new Limestone County-based hospital and ultimately offer their support
EDUCATION
Federal Agenda
• ALCC supports Federal action to better understand and address the nationwide teacher shortage
• ALCC supports Federal incentives for teachers to pursue National Board Certifications
• ALCC supports Federally funded ESL/ESOL programs
• ALCC supports the standardization of apprenticeship & internship credentials as well as Federal funding for apprenticeship & internship programs
• ALCC supports the national recognition of micro-credentials
State Agenda
• ALCC encourages the State’s ongoing support of dual enrollment
• ALCC encourages the annual evaluation, and increase (if applicable) of dual enrollment funding
• ALCC supports State funding for healthcare professionals working within the school system as required by state law
• ALCC supports state-funded mental health programs and counselors
• ALCC encourages the continued support of the two Limestone County-based institutions of higher education, Calhoun Community College and Athens State University.
• ALCC encourages the continued support of Athens State University’s College of Education’s 7 different undergraduate certification programs. ASU serves as one of Alabama’s leading teacher education colleges
Local Agenda
• ALCC supports cooperation between Athens/Limestone County school systems and local law enforcement agencies
• ALCC supports opportunities for collaboration between workforce development programs, Athens/Limestone County school systems, and area business
2026 Critical
• ALCC supports the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Program in partnership with our local schools
Economic development & infrastructure
Federal Agenda
• ALCC encourages transparency, cooperation, & accountability from the Tennessee Valley Authority while seeking to meet growing and prospective energy demands
• ALCC supports funding to repair the guide wall at Wilson Dam Lock, ensuring safe navigation for both commercial and national safety interests State Agenda
• ALCC seeks support from the state to develop a plan to lengthen the CSX Railroad bridge over Highway 72 near Jefferson Street
• ALCC, along with the ACA (Aviation Council of Alabama), urges the state of Alabama to increase airport spending to an amount comparable to surrounding states. (ex. Southeastern state avg: $136m, AL: $8.5m per NASAO)
• ALCC encourages continued support for the Site Evaluation Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program
• ALCC supports the agenda of Business Council of Alabama Local Agenda
• ALCC supports the Athens 2040 Comprehensive Plan -ALCC supports Athens/Limestone County working towards meeting the demands outlined in the Athens 2040 Comprehensive Plan (pages 76-80)
• ALCC supports zoning that is conducive to sustainable growth and prioritizes quality of life over short-term benefits
• ALCC supports the efforts of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful
• ALCC supports the offering of reasonable tax incentives to prospective businesses without placing unnecessary burden on existing companies
• ALCC supports any projects that improve the flow of traffic on main corridors throughout the City of Athens and Limestone County. Thus, paving the way for future development in our community.
• ALCC encourages the Athens City Council to pursue creative solutions to expand city limits through annexation
• ALCC supports the activities and initiatives of LCEDA as outlined in their Board Of Director’s approved Strategic Plan
• ALCC encourages elected officials to recognize the impact and importance of Pryor Field as a regional hub of private air travel and logistics 2026 Critical
• ALCC encourages our federal/state/local delegations to consider the infrastructure impact of Space Command’s move to the Tennessee Valley
Industry workforce
Federal Agenda
• ALCC supports the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
• ALCC supports continued funding for the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) initiative
• ALCC supports continued funding for the Alabama Training Network (ATN)
• ALCC does not support any legislation that would strengthen the bargaining power of labor unions above current levels relative to their employers
• ALCC does not support any expansion of the National Labor Relations Act
• ALCC does not support universal wage updates to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Such updates should be limited by economic conditions in a given geographic location
State Agenda
• ALCC supports Alabama’s status as a Right to Work state
• ALCC encourages continued support for the Alabama Jobs Act
• ALCC supports Manufacture Alabama’s agenda
• ALCC supports the efforts of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA) to support the continuity and growth of the automotive industry in Alabama
Local Agenda
• ALCC supports efforts by the Limestone County Career Technical Center to assist local industry’s need for skilled labor
• ALCC supports the efforts of LCEDA, North Alabama Jobs, and others to host hiring events in Limestone County
Agriculture
Federal Agenda
• ALCC supports Special Use Tax Valuation for agricultural use per section 2032A of the Internal Revenue Code
State Agenda
• ALCC supports the Sweet Grown Alabama program
• ALCC supports statewide agriscience education programs
• ALCC supports the Alabama FFA
• ALCC supports equitable funding for farm-to-market road systems
• ALCC supports city/county engagement with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Local Agenda
• ALCC recognizes and supports agrotourism as a significant opportunity for Limestone County
• ALCC supports the education, awareness, and advocacy of sharing the road with slow-moving farm equipment and farm-use vehicles
• ALCC supports robust private property rights for parcels designated for agricultural use
• ALCC supports purchasing locally grown commodities
2026 Critical
• ALCC supports continued funding for the Athens Farmers Market
• ALCC supports continued state/federal funding and advocacy for the Auburn University - Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center
tourism
State Agenda
• ALCC supports state tax incentives for facilities that are classified as tourist attractions
• ALCC opposes any additional state lodging tax.
• ALCC supports standardizing tax policy for short-term lodging (hotels, inns, VRBO, Airbnb, etc.)
• ALCC supports the identification of potential sites in Limestone County eligible for the Alabama Historical Commission’s historical marker program
• ALCC supports working in conjunction with the Alabama Trails Commission to identify new opportunities for bike trails, walking paths, greenways, etc. in Limestone County
Local Agenda
• ALCC recognizes tourism as a substantial source of revenue for various entities within Athens & Limestone County
• ALCC supports the ongoing efforts of Athens Main Street
• ALCC supports the ongoing efforts of the Greater Ardmore Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Elkmont
• ALCC supports Limestone County’s many rural tourism opportunities (Richard Martin Trail, Crepe Myrtle Festival, 1818 Farms, etc.)
2026 Critical
• ALCC fully endorses the Singing River Trail effort and encourages our delegation to allocate resources necessary to the Trail’s progress
• ALCC is seeking support for a lodging tax that would fund the Tourism Department recently absorbed by ALCC
• ALCC is also asking our local/ state officials to consider using current taxes levied on hotels/lodging as funding for Tourism, as these businesses directly benefit from a robust Tourism Department
• ALCC supports the Alabama Tourism Protection Act and the State’s efforts to ensure STRs (short-term rentals) are susceptible to the same lodging tax as traditional lodging facilities (hotels, motels, inns, etc.). We believe this legislation will maintain competition among lodging providers and ensure revenue for the city & tourism
