FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 20, 2026: 

Infrastructure Matters

By: Nicole Jones Wadsworth, PhD, MBA, MS; Candidate for Lt. Governor of Alabama

Infrastructure is fundamental to industry recruitment, business retention, and overall quality of life. Throughout my career as a site selector, I have evaluated this firsthand while sitting across from companies as they determine where to invest, build, and create jobs.

Consistently, the conversation centers on a single question: can our state support operations not only today, but for the long term? In Alabama, infrastructure is central to the answer. Companies assess the strength and reliability of roads, interstates, and highways. Businesses measure how efficiently raw materials can be delivered, finished products distributed, and how quickly employees commute to and from work. While Alabama’s network of major corridors provides a strong foundation, reliability and capacity remain as critical as geography. Congestion on interstates, bottlenecks, and limited access points can quickly diminish an otherwise competitive site.

Bridges are another essential, yet often underappreciated, component. In site selection, certainty in freight movement is non-negotiable. Weight restrictions, deferred maintenance, or gaps in connectivity can disrupt supply chains and increase costs. Well-maintained bridge infrastructure ensures continuity and reinforces confidence that operations will proceed without avoidable interruption.

Alabama’s ports represent one of the state’s greatest strategic advantages. The Port of Mobile serves as a vital gateway for global commerce. For industries dependent on international markets, efficient port access is indispensable and strengthens Alabama’s position in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and heavy industry. Complementing our coastal port are inland facilities such as the Port of Huntsville, Port of Guntersville, Port of Demopolis, the Birmingham Intermodal Facility, and the forthcoming Montgomery Intermodal Facility. Our inland port assets extend Alabama’s reach by connecting rural, urban, and industrial regions to national and global markets.

Broadband infrastructure is equally critical. In many site selection projects, high-speed internet is a threshold requirement; without it, consideration often ends. For rural communities in particular, broadband access can determine whether they are even eligible for new investment. Beyond recruitment, dependable broadband supports existing businesses, enables remote work, and expands access to education and healthcare.

Infrastructure is also inseparable from quality of life. The same roads that carry commerce connect families to work and school. Broadband that supports industry also connects students to learning and patients to care. Strategic infrastructure investments recruit and retain business, strengthen communities, enhance competitiveness, and improve daily life.

In practice, successful economic development comes down to readiness. Cities, counties, and regions that have invested in infrastructure are more likely to secure new projects because businesses need access, capacity, and connectivity. Communities that neglect a proactive approach to infrastructure investments often fall behind, regardless of their potential.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will continue to view infrastructure as one of the most consequential investments in Alabama’s future. I will consistently speak with our federal partners to ensure the taxpayer dollars we already pay in are brought back to Alabama where they belong. To compete for jobs, support existing industries, and elevate quality of life, we must be deliberate in the maintenance and expansion of assets that matter: our roads and highways, our bridges, our ports, and our broadband networks. Smart, long-term, fiscally responsible infrastructure investments are how Alabama remains competitive and continues to lead in economic growth and opportunity. Let's focus on the road ahead because together, we can Build a Better Alabama.

Nicole Jones Wadsworth is a career site selector and commercial real estate developer and a Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.