The big picture: She highlighted Alabama's automotive manufacturing wins as the state focuses on boosting its lagging workforce participation rate.
A Mercedes SUV was the first car built in Alabama 28 years ago, she said, when textiles largely dominated the state's economy.
"Now, auto manufacturing underpins Alabama's economy," Ivey said. "With 15 million vehicles now in our rearview mirror, Alabama has risen to among the top tier of car producing states."
By the numbers: Total production today in Alabama is 1.3 million cars annually, Ivey said, employing more than 53,000.
What they're saying: "Alabama has recently restructured our state labor department to directly tackle our lower workforce participation rate," Ivey said, geared toward Alabamians who are unemployed.
Zoom in: The state's Department of Labor officially became the Department of Workforce in February, following 2024's Workforce Transformation Act.
As of Aug. 15, Alabama measured its workforce participation rate, or the share of workers between 25-54 who are currently employed, at 57.9%.
The federal Department of Labor measures workers 20-64, and sets Alabama's participation rate at 71.3%, higher than only Mississippi (71%) and West Virginia (67.8%).
