“At best, Alabama will get a short-term boost. In

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“At best, Alabama will get a short-term boost. In most cases, natural disasters have a negative impact on an area’s economy. Local firms are more likely to increase hours of existing workers than do a lot of hiring, though they may recall or hire some laid off workers. But other projects that were under way or in the planning stages may be deferred or cancelled.”Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, speaking in Birmingham, Alabama on May 9, as quoted in the Birmingham News.