An Alabaster state representative will file a bill aimed at strengthening Alabama’s economy during the upcoming session of the Alabama Legislature, the representative announced Jan. 8.

Rep. Cam Ward, R–Alabaster, will file the Alabama Job Growth Act during the 2010 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12.

The bill will feature many components Ward said would “help businesses put people back to work by offering incentives to them.”

If passed, the bill would incentivize businesses to come to the state’s developed counties, encourage job creation throughout the state, provide a funding increase to cities with military installations and would more heavily incentivize companies locating or expanding to counties with high unemployment rates, Ward said.

The bill would also provide incentives to companies employing welfare recipients and businesses providing health insurance to its employees.

“We have to think outside of the box to jumpstart our economy and get folks back to work,” Ward wrote in an e-mail. “I believe tax incentives to businesses will help relieve the pain associated with unemployment and lost revenues, and that’s what I aim to do.”