Dear Mobile Chamber Members,

What a week it’s been! As I sit down to write this, I’m still energized by the two events we hosted, and more importantly, by what they revealed about where Mobile stands today.

On Tuesday, more than 400 of you joined us for a Forum Alabama event featuring U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville. It was a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from Washington about the issues impacting our businesses and our community.

Senator Tuberville provided valuable insights into federal policy developments, and the robust turnout demonstrated just how engaged our business community is in understanding the bigger picture.

These conversations matter, and I’m grateful to everyone who made time to attend.

Then yesterday morning, we gathered nearly 700 people – a sell-out crowd – for the 28th annual State of the City and County.

This event has become a cornerstone of our community calendar for good reason.

Why It Matters: Where else can you bring together business leaders, elected officials, educators and community advocates all in one room? It’s not just about hearing updates; it’s about aligning our efforts around a shared vision for Mobile’s future.

Mayor Spiro Cheriogatis, who was sworn in just over two months ago, gave us a comprehensive look at his priorities and the transformational projects taking shape across the city. From historic investments in roads and drainage to tackling affordable housing and infrastructure, the mayor’s vision is clear: get the fundamentals right while pursuing the big opportunities that will define Mobile’s next chapter.

I was particularly pleased to hear the mayor discuss plans for a reimagined transportation system – with options that incorporate MoGo, the on-demand rideshare pilot the Chamber launched in 2024.

When we started MoGo, we knew transportation was a critical barrier to employment – surveys showed that 31% of unemployed Alabamians cited it as their primary obstacle to work. By offering free rides to key employment and training sites like AIDT, Airbus and Austal, we’ve helped connect workers to the opportunities created by our region’s unprecedented economic growth. Seeing the City build on this foundation is exactly the kind of public-private partnership that moves our community forward.

The conversation about affordable housing resonated deeply as well. The Chamber commissioned a housing study to identify strategies for addressing workforce housing challenges, and it’s encouraging to see city leaders prioritizing this issue.

We also talked about the progress on Mobile Arena, waterfront development and how the city is balancing quality-of-life upgrades with essential public services. These aren’t abstract concepts – they’re the projects and policies that will determine whether businesses can find housing for their employees, whether families can get around town efficiently and whether Mobile can attract the talent and investment we need to keep growing.

Commission President Merceria Ludgood and Commissioners Connie Hudson and Randall Dueitt provided equally impressive updates on county priorities. The scope of work happening across Mobile County is truly remarkable. From managing hundreds of millions in state and federal grants to advancing infrastructure and quality of life projects across all three districts, the County Commission is focused on creating opportunities throughout our region.

Whether it’s the Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage Trail, the Soccer Complex, Aquatic Center, the Cedar Point Pier and Boat Launch, Cypress Creek Golf Course or the expanded services at the Mobile County Animal Shelter, the County Commission is making strategic investments that touch every corner of our county.

The range and scale of these projects demonstrate that progress isn’t just happening in one area – it’s a countywide effort to create opportunities and enhance the places where our families live, work, and play.

Here’s what struck me most: We’re in a golden age for Mobile, and everyone seems to understand the assignment. Mobile’s leaders aren’t just managing the status quo – they’re thinking strategically about how Mobile can drive Alabama’s economy forward. They’re investing in infrastructure, addressing challenges and creating the amenities that make our community attractive to both businesses and families.

But as I said from the stage, this event is more than a report card. It’s a call to action.

The success of our city and county depends on collaboration – across industries, neighborhoods and backgrounds. When we work together, we can accomplish extraordinary things.

That’s exactly what these two events demonstrated. We showed up, we listened, we asked questions and we left with a clearer understanding of the opportunities ahead.

Thank you to everyone who attended these events. Thank you to Senator Tuberville, Mayor Cheriogatis and Commissioners Ludgood, Hudson and Dueitt for their leadership and their willingness to engage directly with the business community.

Until next week,

Originally published Friday, January 23, 2026.