What they're saying: "Since I took office in 2017, Alabama has seen rapid investments totaling more than 69 billion-with-a-B dollars, which has created 100,000 jobs," Ivey said.
"This type of success happens because of everyone here today: your local leaders, your legislative delegation, your chamber, your companies, your workforce," she said.
Zoom in: Ivey, 81, is the longest continuously serving governor in Alabama history and the longest-serving female governor in U.S. history, local officials noted, before announcing a declaration of May 13, 2026 as "Gov. Kay Ivey Day," in Huntsville and Madison County.
Ivey announced at the event that Alabama will kick off its celebration of America's 250th birthday with a special celebration in Montgomery May 21, unveiling a special American flag for the capitol building and an F-35 flyover.
By the numbers: She touted statewide gains in education and infrastructure development, including the recently-passed $10.5-billion Education Trust Fund budget.
Since 2019, she said, the Rebuild Alabama grant program has resulted in $2 billion in funding for 500 miles of road projects across all 67 counties in the state, including improvements to I-65 and widening of I-565.
"We've got to keep our foot on the gas pedal," she said.
The latest: Ivey didn't mention Alabama's current congressional map and election shakeup that's been dominating headlines, nor did she take questions from media following her remarks.
