Tag: Economy
Birmingham Biotech Hub Receives $44M Federal Grant

The Southern Research-led project is one of 31 selected for the coveted federal award. Read more.
Commissary Kitchen Planned for Woodlawn to Boost New Food Businesses, Community

Eugene’s Hot Chicken owner Zebbie Carney hopes to open a commissary kitchen in Woodlawn that would offer kitchen space for the metro area’s growing number of food trucks and add to the revitalization of Woodlawn. Read more.
Birmingham Spending $20M in Grant Money on Workforce Development in Northern Communities

Birmingham officials on Monday announced that the city was awarded a $20 million federal grant aimed at making workforce investments in the economically distressed communities of North Birmingham, Northside, Smithfield and Pratt. Read more.
Two Economic Development Agencies Set to Get $100,000 Apiece From JeffCo

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday is set to provide $200,000 to a pair of organizations to bolster small businesses in the county.
Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance and Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama each is in line for $100,000 to aid with innovation, economic development and building a strong workforce to support the growth and development of Jefferson County. Read more.
4 Factors Besides Cold Weather That Explain Expensive Winter Power Bills

Like many in the Gulf South, Will Burt’s power bill spiked in January due to extreme weather. But how much of the increase can be attributed to the cold? Read more.
Southern Research Opens New Biotech Incubator

Southern Research this week expanded its efforts to encourage the growth of the biotech industry in Birmingham by opening its Station 41 biotech incubator. Read more.
Council Approves $150K for Project to Provide High-Level Training to Junior Tech Workers

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to spend $150,000 on a project to transition junior developers and engineers in the tech industry into more senior-level positions.
The group tasked with developing this program, called the Birmingham Upskill Partnership Initiative, is the regional technology association TechBirmingham.
Deon Gordon, president and CEO of TechBirmingham, said stakeholders in the tech industry have noticed a dearth of workers with senior-level skill sets. Read more.
Results from Birmingham’s Guaranteed Income Program for Mothers To Be Presented Tuesday

Last year, 110 Birmingham residents received $375 a month for a 12-month period through the Embrace Mothers guaranteed income program funded by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.
Forty-eight mayors have adopted these pilot programs, so what have we learned about guaranteed income?
Community members can find out at a program Tuesday that will include screening of the new film “It’s Basic.” Read more.
New Community Center Planned for Old Bank Building in Ensley

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved selling a former AmSouth Bank building in Ensley to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity so it can establish a community center there.
The Mu Psi Lambda chapter of the fraternity intends to refurbish the building and transform it into a multi-purpose outreach center to serve as a resource to the Ensley community by eliminating blight, providing youth and community training programs and other services. Read more.
JeffCo Commission OKs Eco Dev Funds, Tyson Wants More to Go to Small Black-Owned Businesses

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday authorized its support of Innovation Depot and the Birmingham Business Alliance, but not without Commissioner Sheila Tyson voicing her objection.
“I feel like both of those organizations do not address the businesses in the minority community,” she said. “(They) don’t reach farther out from downtown.” Read more.