Contact Bee Frederick, Southeastern States Director
On May 23, the Alabama Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted a breakfast at the Statehouse for sportsmen-legislators. Attendees heard directly from Kimber Manufacturing, Inc. on their recent in-state expansion as well as from and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) on policy priorities.
Caucus Chairman Representative Danny Crawford welcomed the over 30 legislators in attendance and gave a brief background on the Caucus. Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CSF) Southeastern States Director Bee Frederick then highlighted additional information on the history of CSF, the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), and the upcoming Sportsman-Legislator Summit in Georgia this fall.
Kimber Manufacturing, Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Grogan addressed the group and spoke to Alabama’s economic development efforts that lead to Kimber’s decision to ultimately choose Troy, AL for their new manufacturing and design facility in early 2018. He also highlighted the current production efforts of firearms, future production capacity, phases of the project, on-site ranges for engineers, and more. Ultimately, Kimber will invest $38 million in the production facility in Troy, creating 366 jobs over the next five years.
ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship closed the morning by speaking about the American System of Conservation Funding, that is funded through revenue from sporting licenses and excise tax on firearms, ammunition, motor boat fuel, and other items. Additionally, Commissioner Blankenship addressed 3 pieces of legislation that were on the calendar for the day important to the ADCNR.
The breakfast was sponsored by the Business Council of Alabama and Manufacture Alabama.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
