The Birmingham seven-county region’s St. Clair County was recognized recently for its economic resilience in the aftermath of 2008’s Great Recession.
U.S. Steel to move forward with EAF in Birmingham, $215 million investment
BBA’s Baldwin discusses connecting the community to business needs
The Birmingham Business Alliance’s Vice President of Regional Development Nan Baldwin is involved in numerous different projects through her work, including Opportunity Zones, Alabama Communities of Excellence and transportation infrastructure talks, just to name a few. Her work all has one common purpose – to enhance the quality of life for all Birmingham residents. The BBA sat down with Baldwin recently to talk about her work and why she is passionate about it.
KAMTEK creates workforce pipeline through booming apprenticeship program
For Traci Wells, human resources manager at Kamtek, the greatest challenge she faces in her job is recruiting within skilled trades, specifically the tool and dye trade that Kamtek specializes in.
“Recruiters will say we can’t do it,” she said. “They literally tell us ‘You can’t do it.’”
So the team at Kamtek, a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing supplier that specializes in metal stamping and assembly and is most especially known for its work with Mercedes-Benz, decided to show recruiters they could do it – by building an apprenticeship program to help grow its own workforce, which currently employs 1,000 in Birmingham.
Former Daxko CEO Gray discusses his compelling alternative for entrepreneurs
Dave Gray, one of Birmingham’s entrepreneurial leaders, is launching a new project, Biso Collective, a software business. Gray, who was CEO of Birmingham-based Daxko and still maintains a board seat with the company, spoke to the Birmingham Business Alliance about his new business, why Birmingham is a great place to start a company and what has driven Birmingham’s recent tech boom.
ALDOT’s Cooper addresses BBA Governmental Affairs Committee
The typical vehicle today gets 40 percent better gas mileage than the typical vehicle in 1992, which is the last time the gas tax was increased. Roads, however, cost two to three times as much now, said John Cooper, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), when he spoke this week to the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Governmental Affairs Committee.
Waymond Jackson receives 40 Under 40 Award in Economic Development
Latest BBA Investors Roundtable focuses on fundraising
Four Birmingham entrepreneurs gave advice on how to fundraise to a packed house at Innovation Depot last week.
The Investors Roundtable was hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance in partnership with the BBJ and Innovation Depot. The event was part of a series focused on different topics in the Birmingham startup community, with this roundtable zeroing in on small businesses that have recently raised money through various platforms.
U.S. Senator Shelby visits BBA, discusses thriving economy
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby will be in Washington, D.C., this week as the Senate takes two key votes aimed at ending the government shutdown.
Before heading back to D.C., Shelby spoke to Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) leadership about the shutdown and other federal policy in a policy briefing at the BBA office.
Birmingham companies report substantial growth in 2018
Local companies in Birmingham’s core sectors are reporting nearly 20 percent market share growth over the previous year, according to the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Business Retention and Expansion program.
The BBA staff visited 138 companies representing over 21,000 local employees last year. These companies announced 1,782 new jobs and $190 million in capital investment in 2018, a steady increase over 2017, where companies announced 640 new jobs and $96 million in capital investment.
BBA helps facilitate nearly $20 million for local startups
Last year was a landmark year for innovation and technology in Birmingham, and already 2019 is shaping up to be successful as well. We sat down with the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Vice President of Innovation and Technology Jon Nugent to discuss what’s on the horizon and why tech companies are choosing Birmingham.
Via Airlines adds four new direct flights out of Birmingham
Four new nonstop flights will be offered from Birmingham beginning this April.
Via Airlines, a carrier based in Florida that flies 50-seat Embraer ERJ145s, will offer direct flight service from Birmingham to Mobile, Austin, Pittsburgh and Raleigh beginning in the spring. This announcement brings Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport’s (BHM) number of nonstop destinations to 22 airports in 19 cities.
Brasfield & Gorrie opens new IT center, plans continued expansion
Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie opened a new IT center recently, part of an ongoing plan to renovate and expand the general contractor’s headquarters.
Apprenticeships at the forefront of conversation for Mayor Woodfin, Birmingham
Birmingham’s emphasis on building out apprenticeships for its workforce is gaining steam and garnering national attention.
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted a trip made by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to Bremen, Germany, who visited software company abat AG to tour its training facility.