Automakers have another Covid-19 problem: Suppliers
Building cars during the Covid-19 pandemic requires more than keeping workers in auto plants safe. Hundreds of supplier plants must stay safe and healthy, too. Keeping the supply chain operating is crucial, because cars cannot be built unless automakers have 100% of the parts. Last week proved how difficult that can be in the current environment. Thursday night, Ford’s Dearborn Truck plant had to stop production early when it ran out of the seats it needed to build F-150 pickups. It resumed work Monday, after a scheduled off day on Friday. – CNN
Twin overpasses in Sheffield, built in late 1930s, to be replaced
An Alabama overpass replacement project will begin this summer along a busy highway in the Muscle Shoals area town of Sheffield, in the northwestern part of the state. The Alabama Department of Transportation recently awarded a bid to a Pelham-based contractor to construct a single new overpass along Hatch Boulevard in Sheffield to replace two older spans. Bridge Builders of Alabama bid $4.99 million for the project, according to information on the ADOT’s website. – Construction Equipment Guide
Big banks call for blanket forgiveness of PPP loans under $150,000
Two bank lobbying organizations asked Congress on Tuesday to automatically forgive small-business loans of less than $150,000 that are made under the Paycheck Protection Program. The request comes as the Senate eyes potential changes to the massive emergency relief effort. Last week, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to get their PPP loans forgiven. – American Banker
Here’s how you can help damaged Birmingham businesses
Efforts are underway to help businesses damaged by unrest Sunday night and early Monday in downtown Birmingham. The Birmingham Business Relief Fund will support small businesses and storefronts in the downtown Central Business District that sustained damage. Some participants in a Sunday night rally downtown broke off from the main group after attempts to bring down the Confederate monument in Linn Park failed. They then went through the city, breaking windows, looting stores and setting fires until early Monday. – AL.com
Alabama’s casinos reopen June 8, with some changes
Operators of Alabama’s Wind Creek gaming properties, on the verge of opening their doors to guests after a shutdown that began more than two months ago, gave a preview Tuesday of how they’re adapting to coronavirus concerns. “As Jay is fond of saying, we don’t want to have a plan to reopen,” said Ken Rohman, Wind Creek Hospitality’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, referring to CEO Jay Dorris. “We want to have a plan to stay open.” – AL.com
State sues Birmingham for daring to remove Confederate monument
Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced that he has filed a new lawsuit against the City of Birmingham for its removal of the Confederate monument at Linn Park last night. Marshall says that action violates of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act. The lawsuit seeks additional penalties after the city lost a similar lawsuit filed by the State in 2017. – AL NewsNet
