The Birmingham-Hoover metro’s responses in the Alabama Business Confidence Index for the second quarter of 2021 reflect all-around optimism.

Birmingham business leaders have strong expectations for the second quarter of 2021.

That’s according to data released today from the Alabama Business Confidence Index (ABCI), a survey conducted quarterly by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. From the first quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of the year, executives’ business confidence jumped a staggering eight points, giving the Birmingham-Hoover metro its strongest showing in business confidence since the second quarter of 2017.

After a sharp drop in business confidence in the third quarter of 2020 – following the declaration of a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – Birmingham-Hoover business leaders’ confidence has risen slowly since. Across the state, expectations are high as well, as business confidence soared across the state’s metro areas, with business leaders conveying strong optimism in nearly all survey components.

“Recently, the Birmingham region has had several significant project announcements and new investment from companies like Flex-n-Gate, Amazon, Lowe’s, FedEx and others, indicating our area will be emerging from a turbulent 2020 with excellent momentum,” said Ron Kitchens, CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “Already in 2021, we have seen prospective company interest in Birmingham skyrocket, and the Alliance is working with multiple local companies as they plan for growth this year.”

Click here to read the full Birmingham report and click here to read the statewide report.