Birmingham ranks 3rd in economic growth potential among U.S. mid-sized cities in national survey

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Birmingham
View of City of Birmingham from from The Club. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

The Birmingham region was ranked No. 3 for economic growth potential among mid-size U.S. cities in a recent report by  Business Facilities, a national publication that focuses on economic development.

This is the third positive  economic development survey released this summer that ranks Birmingham in the top 10 nationally in several economic categories. The other two rankings were by Indeed.com and fDi Magazine.

Here are the reports and subsequent articles that appeared in Bham Now that were published in June:

Birmingham named among top 10 Mid-Sized American Cities of the Future by international publication

Birmingham ranks 4th in “Best Cities for Jobseekers 2019” report by Indeed

Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham Innovation Week, Sloss Tech
Shipt headquarters, via hypepotamus.com

“Birmingham’s economy continues to strengthen and diversify, and forecasters and companies are taking notice,” said Fred McCallum, interim president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance about the Business Facilities survey.

regionsfield Birmingham ranks 3rd in economic growth potential among U.S. mid-sized cities in national survey

“Companies in automotive, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology and banking and finance – coupled with an emerging startup ecosystem – are finding an affordable and friendly home here. As Birmingham surpasses pre-recession employment levels and competes globally, it will be important to support and invest in our region’s recruiting, retention and workforce development efforts and ensure policies are in place to welcome talent and companies, all of which is the focus of the work of the Birmingham Business Alliance.”

Alabama did well too

Montgomery Alabama
Photo by: Pat Byington of the Alabama State Capitol

The 15th Annual Business Facilities report also had high marks for the state of Alabama. The Yellowhammer state earned the No. 3 spot for overall business climate and the No. 5 spot for economic growth potential, while also earning praise for workforce training, manufacturing employment and the strength of its auto manufacturing industry.

Getting Noticed

UAB
UAB Hospital. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

Birmingham continues to get noticed by national publications and business leaders.

Over the past year, the Magic City received a visit from AOL Founder Steve Case and his Rise of the Rest tour.  Prominent travel and lifestyle magazine Conde Nast declared “Birmingham has arrived” in a January 2019 story. And  Brookings Institution has formed a partnership with the city to develop innovative policies to move the community forward.

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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