BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) has announced that in 2013 the Birmingham seven-county region gained 2,611 jobs in new and expanding industries. Capital investment in 2013 totaled $319.5 million. The BBA made the announcement at the third annual Blueprint Birmingham Summit, held at The Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham.
“The goal at the BBA is to grow the region’s economy, and the work of Blueprint Birmingham is enabling us to do that,” said Grayson Hall, chairman, president and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. and 2014 BBA chairman. “Blueprint Birmingham helps make our community a better place to live, work and do business, and our work around the strategic plan has paid off with another year of solid growth in Birmingham.”
Also, the BBA presented the 2014 Regional Economic Growth Report, which highlights certain achievements in the community and new and expanding industry in the region in 2013.
“As we move into the next year of Blueprint Birmingham, we can all see that the plan is working,” said Ray L. Watts, president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and BBA’s vice chairman for economic development. “Positive national headlines, improving demographics, an enhanced image of the community and growing regional collaborations are proof that Blueprint is leading the way for continued solid growth in our community.”
The summit also highlighted many achievements in economic development, workforce development, community and regional development and public and private leadership. Some of those achievements included:
• 89 companies announced 2,611 jobs and $319.5 million in capital investment in the region’s primary business sectors in 2013.
• Identifying the needs and growth plans of 316 companies in 2013 through visits from the BBA’s Business Retention and Expansion Program and regional economic development allies.
• Marketing of the region through inbound and outbound media marketing trips, BBA publications and weekly e-newsletters.
• Launch of the BBA’s Talent Recruitment Project, which brings local companies together with the best and brightest at nearby colleges and universities.
• Launch of a dedicated online job and internship board.
• A $600,000 Partnership for Innovation grant from the National Science Foundation, awarded to the BBA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
• International trade initiatives, including seminars and a leadership series, that support and promote exporting among local companies.
• Birmingham named a 2013 All-America City by the National Civic League.
• Birmingham attracts positive headlines, accolades and features from The New York Times, Forbes, Associated Press, Fodors, Livibility.com and many other national publications.
• Alabama Legislature passes the Historic Preservation Tax Credits bill – a BBA legislative priority in 2013 – jumpstarting numerous redevelopment projects throughout downtown
Birmingham.
• Accolades for the Birmingham region jump from four in 2011, to 17 in 2012 and 22 in 2013. So far in 2014, the region has garnered 10 accolades.
• Four Birmingham startups receive $126,000 in Alabama Launchpad competition; each received mentoring and coaching through the BBA’s Spark program throughout the entire process.
• The first construction contract is let for the Northern Beltline, a top transportation priority for the BBA.
Birmingham Business Alliance is a dynamic advocate, unifying voice and constant catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for the Birmingham region.
For more information about the BBA visit its website at www.birminghambusinessalliance.com.
