MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- State Superintendent Tommy Bice freely admits that it is unusual for Alabama to be ranked at the top of the nation when it comes to public education.

"This is not usually where we're ranked," he said during a press conference.

But Bice received congratulations today from U.S. Department of Education Assistant Secretary Deb Delisle for Alabama garnering the greatest percentage increase nationally for students passing Advanced Placement tests.

MADISON, Alabama - Development of "the most prime property in the Southeastern United States" finally broke ground Tuesday morning that will lead to new roads, an interstate interchange and 1.5 million square feet of retail/commercial space.

The magnitude of the development on 700 acres along Interstate 565 and Zierdt Road drew about 100 dignitaries to a sprawling field of foot-high soybeans, with Gov. Robert Bentley, U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks, five state representatives and a platoon of local officials donning hard hats and grabbing shovels to kick off a project that will serve the community for decades.

The $400 million development called Town Madison will also include 900,000 square feet of retail space, 450,000 square feet of office space, 445 hotel rooms and 668 apartments. It's expected to create 1,600 jobs.

"This will be the gift that keeps on giving after we're dead and gone," said Louis Breland, the chief developer, who began trying to make this project happen since 2006. "I never believed it wouldn't happen."