The Birmingham region received a record-breaking number of accolades, or positive mentions in the national media, in 2019. This past year the region amassed 53 accolades, surpassing the previous record of 42 set in 2016 and then repeated in 2018.
Here’s some of what the national media said about Birmingham in 2019:
Forbes included Birmingham in its top 10 most promising job markets for 2020 based on net employment outlook for the first quarter of the year. Birmingham posted a 21 percent net employment outlook for Q1.
Birmingham was named one of Indeed’s top five cities for job seekers in 2019. The worldwide employment-related search engine named the Magic City No. 4 on its list, chosen for being a city where job seekers face the least competition for jobs, command the highest salaries, work at the highest-rated companies and face a low likelihood of unemployment.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin joined the Birmingham Business Alliance in New York City for meetings and interviews with major national media outlets to promote Birmingham. Woodfin appeared on, among others, Cheddar TV, Morning Joe on MSNBC and Bloomberg’s Balance of Power. He also served as the guest speaker at The New York Times’ weekly meeting on its coverage of race, where he spoke with about 30 national reporters and editors.
NPR correspondent Tom Wilmer visited Birmingham for his podcast “Journeys of Discovery” in a visit hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. Wilmer’s podcast has over 31 million unique visitors per month.
With an average $77,000 adjusted income, Birmingham was ranked the No. 1 metro where salaries go the furthest by Indeed.com’s Hiring Lab, further highlighting the region’s affordable cost of living.
Economic development publications like fDi, Business Facilities, Area Development and Trade & Industry Development recognized the Birmingham region and Alabama for its innovation and its ability to attract high-value projects that will create numerous new jobs.
The New York Times ranked Birmingham the No. 4 best city with the highest share of well-paying jobs for workers without a college degree.
Conde Nast Traveler looked around the globe for 16 cities to visit before all of your friends catch on, and Birmingham was one of three U.S. cities to make the list.
The month of April in particular was a big month for Birmingham, as media powerhouses like The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and the BBC recognized Birmingham for its culture.
2020 is already off to a good start. Just a week into the new year, Birmingham has been recognized by CNN as an emerging foodie city, and Forbes named the Magic City one of its top nine affordable winter travel destinations.
Want to be the first to know when Birmingham receives big accolades in 2020? Become a Birmingham Business Alliance Digital Ambassador! Every time the Magic City receives a highly touted accolade or when a major economic development news story hits, you’ll get the chance to share it with all your social media followers with just the click of a button. Click here to sign up and learn more about how to share the good news about our great region.