MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Legislation to help create and give tax breaks to Alabama Farmer Federation’s planned agriculture event center in Jefferson County received three affirmative votes on Wednesday for final passage after stalling Tuesday and slowing action in the Senate.
The Alabama Farmers Federation announced in September the proposed project on 530 acres off of I-65 in north Jefferson County. Alfa says it would host various ag-related events, including livestock shows and rodeos.
“The Alabama Farm Center will provide educational opportunities for young people and strengthen the local and state economies,” Alfa said in a written statement Wednesday. “This legislation will ensure governance of the Alabama Farm Center represents the diverse agricultural interests of the state, including our historically black land grant universities. We also thank the city of Warrior, Jefferson County, Gov. Kay Ivey and a growing list of corporate supporters for their dedication in making this dream a reality.”
Bill sponsor Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, filibustered much of Tuesday and accused gambling bill supporters of blocking his Senate Bill 219, the Farm Center bill. Alfa has opposed the gambling bill that stalled in the Senate last week and Shelnutt was one of the 15 no votes on it.
The push for a lottery and expanded gambling bill has largely come from the House this session. On Tuesday, two House members’ lack of action on a conference committee vote stalled Shelnutt’s bill. He blamed gambling interests.
Wednesday morning, the bill was back in conference and Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, who had missed Wednesday’s meeting, helped advance the bill. Whitt is one of the major advocates for the gambling bill in the House. He said he missed Tuesday’s meeting because he was only given a few minutes of notice.
The bill was quickly approved in that committee and then in the Senate with no debate and the House.
Senate Bill 219 creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation, an economic development authority to operate the center. It could apply for state tax credits to undertake the construction, management, and leasing of the Alabama Farm Center. The center would be exempt from some state and local taxes.
“This is an economic boom for the state of Alabama,” Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, said on the House floor. “There’s only two locations in the country that have a facility like this; it’s going to create over a thousand jobs initially. We make concessions in this state; where would we be without the auto industry? We make concessions for that.”