House leaders tout unemployment tax cut; Alabama-based Simpeo acquired by Ohio group; Ground broken for new hospital; Former Birmingham chef opening NOLA restaurant

House leaders tout unemployment tax cut

Alabama House leaders say a big cut in unemployment insurance taxes announced by the Alabama Department of Labor will help the economy in the coming months. The Labor Department said Alabama employers will see a 54% reduction in unemployment insurance taxes in 2023. – Alabama Political Reporter

Alabama-based Simpeo acquired by Ohio group

Group Management Services, based in Ohio, has closed on its acquisition of Birmingham-based Simpeo. Both are professional employer organizations. This marks GMS’ first office in Alabama.   – Group Management Services

Ground broken for new Birmingham hospital

Ground was broken Monday for the $120 million Cooper Green Mercy Health Clinic. The new building on Sixth Avenue South will be five stories tall and encompass 211,000 square feet. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2025. – Birmingham Times

Acclaimed Birmingham chef opening NOLA restaurant

Chef Chris Dupont, who for 20 years was chef and owner of Birmingham’s Café Dupont, has moved back to his hometown of New Orleans and will open a restaurant there. Etoile will open on Magazine Street in the spring. – Bham Now