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Birmingham Business Journal
The Playbook: How pay raise plans for 2025 are shaping up
Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. <\p> Despite increasing political backlash toward diversity, equity and inclusion, a majority of workers still say they prioritize inclusion in their organizations. <\p>
Local wellness brand inks four franchisees, opens office downtown
A Birmingham-based wellness and fitness services company is expanding into a new office and securing new franchisees after receiving significant funding earlier this summer. <\p> Hydralive Therapy, a veteran-owned wellness brand dedicated to helping clients achieve personal wellness and fitness goals, recently signed on four new franchisees and moved into its first brick-and-mortar office location downtown. <\p>
Medicare Advantage provider to exit Alabama
A St. Louis, Missouri-based health care plan company will leave its Alabama members looking for a new Medicare Advantage plans in 2025. <\p> In a notice issued by Pinnacle Financial Services, WellCare, a subsidiary of Centene, notified customers in six states that it will discontinue the Medicare Advantage (MA) offerings in Alabama, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Mexico. The company's exit from the health care market will be official by the 2025 Affordable Care Act Annual Enrollment Period this winter. <\p>
Construction underway for $20M U.S. 280 hotel
A dual-branded hotel on U.S. Highway 280 is currently under construction, after the city of Birmingham gave the project the green light. <\p> The BBJ reported in January that RAM Hotels, a hospitality company based in Columbus, Georgia, was planning to construct a dual-branded Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott hotel. The hotel would have 180 keys, with 84 rooms in the Courtyard and 96 kitchen suites in the Residence Inn.<\p>
Guest notebook: Fiber is the gold standard of broadband delivery
When Gov. Kay Ivey asked me to serve as director of the Alabama Department of Community Affairs (ADECA), she made one thing clear – a top priority of her administration is to ensure that every single Alabamian will have the abilityto access high-speed internet. <\p> That is a noble goal indeed, given that in a modern, 21st century economy, responsive, reliable access to the internet is a necessity, not a luxury. It is virtually impossible for Alabamians to meet their full potential without access to this asset. <\p>
Trial lawyer opens new law practice in Blount County
A trial lawyer who has worked at multiple local firms is starting his own in the metro area.<\p> Mitchell Hastings started Hastings Trial Law this month in Oneonta. In his new practice, Hastings handles civil litigation.<\p>
Workout Anytime opening new Birmingham location
A fitness franchise is bringing a new location to the metro area. <\p> Workout Anytime, a fitness brand with nearly 200 locations in 22 states as well as international locations, is opening a new Alabama facility at Village East Shopping Center at 5340 Oporto Madrid Boulevard. It also has other potential sites scouted. <\p>
Bham-based manufacturer to acquire Canadian-based company
Birmingham-based Motion Industries Inc. is set to acquire a Canadian-based firm that distributes bearings, power transmissions and industrial supplies.<\p> Motion, a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire the operating assets of LSI Supply Inc. and its sister company, 273 Ontario. <\p>
BBJ NextGen Money 2024: Roisin McCord, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Roisin McCord<\p> Regional Economic Information Network Director<\p>
Major convenience store chain expands footprint into Alabama
A major national food, gas and convenience store chain is expanding its presence to Alabama.<\p> Casey’s General Stores Inc. will acquire Fikes Wholesale Inc., which owns CEFCO Convenience Stores. The all-cash deal is for $1.145 billion, according to a release.<\p>
Bakery opens brick-and-mortar location in Roebuck
A local bakery has opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Roebuck.<\p> Lilly & Daisy Bakery LLC recently opened at 500 Gene Reed Road next to Aldi. Owner Victoria Perkins, who named the bakery after her two twin daughters, opened the business out of a passion for baking, according to social media.<\p>
Wellness spa opens in former Alabaster train station
Two mental health and wellness professionals have repurposed the top floor of the former Alabaster train station building into a wellness-focused spa and treatment center. <\p> Shannon Cook and Cherie Dopson split the 3,000-square-foot space in half to run their respective wellness-focused businesses: All in Care and NeuroSpa. <\p>
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