The $325 million, 1,500-job Amazon fulfillment center landed Alabama a Golden Shovel Award from publication Area Development and a Community Impact Award from Trade & Industry Development.
The Birmingham seven-county region and Alabama have been recognized recently by several economic development publications for work that will move the needle forward for the region.
“These recognitions demonstrate the hard-fought results of our region’s efforts to attract new investment into the community,” said Birmingham Business Alliance Vice President of Economic Development Jeff Traywick. “Through the continued partnership of our regional business and civic leadership, we plan to continue our forward momentum in the recruitment of new opportunity for our region’s citizens.”
Birmingham’s recognitions include:
fDi, a magazine that focuses on foreign direct investment, named Birmingham one of its American Cities of the Future. Birmingham ranked No. 9 overall for mid-sized American Cities of the Future and also ranked No. 4 for business friendliness, No. 9 for human capital and lifestyle and No. 10 for connectivity.
Business Facilities recognized Birmingham’s foreign direct investment as well, highlighting the region as a “Destination of Choice” for global investment. There are 81 foreign companies representing 20 countries in the Birmingham seven-county region. Birmingham’s automotive industry boom was also highlighted, with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, MöllerTech, Yorozu, Autocar Trucks, Unipres and Eissmann Group Automotive LLC all announcing expansions or completing construction on new projects in the Birmingham seven-county region in 2018 alone.
Alabama received a prestigious Gold Shovel Award from Area Development, which recognizes states for achievements in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in communities. Alabama was recognized for the 1,500-job Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer, located within the Birmingham seven-county region, as well as other projects around the state.
The Amazon project also earned a Community Impact Award from Trade & Industry Development, chosen for its transformational effect on helping shape the Bessemer community for the better. Only 15 projects across the nation receive a Community Impact Award.