Category: Economy
Increasing Popularity of Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail Sparks Economic Opportunity
A growing number of hikers are tackling Alabama’s longest continuous footpath and trail communities are welcoming the growth. Read more.
Advocates Warn of a ‘Dollar Store Invasion.’ Researchers Are Still Figuring Out the Consequences
A recent report from the Institute for Local Self Reliance laid out 17 problems with dollar stores, but some researchers said there isn’t a consensus yet. Read more.
County Considering $1.6M to Support Innovation Depot, Other Econ Dev Projects
Following a presentation from Innovation Depot, the Jefferson County Commission Tuesday moved to its Thursday meeting agenda a package of more than $1.6 million supporting the business accelerator.
Brooke Gillis, CEO of Innovation Depot, told commissioners about the depot’s aim to nurture the efforts of entrepreneurs so that their businesses can grow beyond the walls of the business center in downtown Birmingham. Read more.
Jefferson County About Halfway Through With Houses Listed for Demolition
Docena is next up in Jefferson County’s bid to remove dilapidated houses.
At its committee meeting Tuesday, the Jefferson County Commission moved to the agenda of its Thursday meeting a resolution declaring 29 structures in the unincorporated community off Minor Parkway public nuisances and targeting those structures for demolition.
Those structures are part of Batch 3 of the county’s demolition program. Read more.
With the NCAA Tournament in Town, Birmingham Is Ready for Thrilling Games, an Economic Boost
Birmingham is hosting NCAA Tournament games this weekend for the first time since 2008. It’s the latest addition to the city’s growing profile as a sports hub. Read more.
Knight Backs Plan to Sock Away County Money for a Rainy Day
Jefferson County Commission Finance Chairman Joe Knight repeated Tuesday his plan to continue on a conservative path that includes squireling away money in the county’s reserve accounts. Read more.
How This Year’s Selma Bridge Crossing Could Mark a Community Renaissance
President Biden visits Selma for the 58th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.” Residents there are still recovering from tornadoes that ripped through the city in January. Read more.
As Alabama Coal Miners Strike Nears End, a Look at Why It Started, How It Failed
After 700 days, the United Mine Workers of America Union asked Warrior Met Coal to allow the strikers to come back to work unconditionally. Read more.
JeffCo Approves $5 Million Toward Construction of Amphitheater
The Jefferson County Commission today approved the next step in making a 9,000-seat, $50 million amphitheater part of The Star Uptown development on the campus of the former Carraway Hospital.
A $5 million contribution from the county’s economic development fund goes toward building the event venue. The county also approved a guarantee to cover any shortfall on the project up to $10 million.
The matter was approved on a 3-1-1 vote with Sheila Tyson voting no and Lashunda Scales abstaining.
The panel vote came after citizens – mostly residents of the area where the venue will be built – voiced their concern about the future of their community. Read more.
Commission Sets Hearing on Funding for Downtown Amphitheater
Birmingham is one step closer to having an amphitheater in The Star Uptown development after commissioners placed a public hearing on the matter on the agenda of Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting.
Commission President Jimmie Stephens presented the resolution at the commission’s committee meeting Tuesday. It calls for a hearing concerning the county pledging $5 million on the project and making $10 million of its credit available if there is a shortfall in revenue to pay for the project.
“This is the $5 million pledge that everyone has done up to now,” Stephens said. “The City of Birmingham, the BJCC, the (Greater Birmingham Convention and) Visitors Bureau have all added to it. And Live Nation.” Read more.
