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Growing Together: How Birmingham’s Existing Industries Are Building Our Economic Future 

When people think of economic development, the focus often lands on the big headlines - new companies arriving, large expansions and major announcements. However, the true engine of sustained economic growth starts with the companies already here. Supporting their success, expansion and long-term stability is what builds the foundation for future investment and opportunity. 

At the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), we are committed to a “Prepare and Pursue” approach: preparing our region to compete and aggressively pursuing the right opportunities. You can’t win what you’re not ready for, and you can’t maximize readiness without going after prospects. This mindset drives everything we do, from helping local companies grow to attracting new investment. 

Why Traded Sector Jobs Matter 

The BBA focuses on creating traded sector jobs - jobs at companies that sell their products or services outside the Birmingham region, bringing new dollars into the local economy. These jobs have a powerful multiplier effect. On average, each traded sector job supports two to three additional local service jobs. For example, when a manufacturer in Birmingham adds 100 production workers, those employees spend their earnings at local restaurants, retailers and service providers. They buy homes, need healthcare and invest in their communities. 

That’s why our goal is to create 3,000 traded sector jobs annually, generating between 6,000 and 9,000 total jobs throughout the regional economy. This kind of broad-based prosperity strengthens every community across our seven-county footprint. 

Target Industries: Where Birmingham Leads 

We are focused on five key industries where Birmingham has distinct competitive advantages. These target industries are also in alignment with priorities outlined by the State’s economic strategic plan, Catalyst.

With distinct competitive advantages fueling our momentum, Birmingham is poised for continued national growth and the creation of good, lasting jobs for years to come.

So, how do we sustain the jobs we have in the Birmingham region? 

Supporting Local Growth: The Core of Economic Success 

While new business attraction often grabs headlines, most job creation happens when existing companies choose to grow here. That’s why the BBA’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) team plays such a vital role. 

Each year, our team conducts more than 150 strategic visits with local companies. These aren’t just check-ins - they are deep, intentional conversations to understand industry trends, address business challenges and offer real solutions. Whether it’s connecting a manufacturer to workforce training, helping a logistics company navigate new regulations, or facilitating site selection for local expansion, we’re committed to supporting Birmingham’s businesses at every stage. 

Our BRE team also organizes targeted industry events that are more than just networking opportunities. These gatherings bring together key players in sectors like biotech and bioscience, as well as distribution, logistics and food and beverage to address shared challenges, hear from experts and find solutions that benefit the entire industry. 

In addition, we focus on building strategic business-to-business connections. By helping companies find local suppliers, customers and service providers, we’re keeping economic activity and jobs rooted in Birmingham. 

Help Us Solve Business Challenges 

We want to hear directly from companies about the barriers they face when it comes to doing business in Birmingham. Whether it’s workforce, infrastructure, supply chain issues, or something else -  we invite Birmingham businesses to share their challenges using our Business Challenge Form.

By submitting your input, you help us take action, connect you to resources and advocate for solutions that remove obstacles to growth. Your feedback helps shape the future of Birmingham’s economy and gets you real help and support with problems you may be facing.  

Submit Business Challenge

Real Impact Through Local Growth 

When local companies thrive, it sends a clear message: Birmingham is a place where businesses can succeed. The BBA’s integrated approach is already generating results: 

  • Companies are choosing to expand here rather than relocate elsewhere. 
  • Local manufacturers are finding suppliers within the region, keeping economic activity at home. 
  • Growing companies are accessing tailored workforce training to prevent talent shortages. 
  • Businesses are forming new partnerships that accelerate growth. 

The Path Forward 

Birmingham’s economic future will be built on companies choosing to grow here, again and again. Every expansion, every job retained and every local investment strengthens our region and validates Birmingham as a place where businesses can succeed. Through responsive service, proactive support and genuine partnerships, the BBA is helping build a resilient economy - one where companies want to stay, grow and invest. The headlines may spotlight new arrivals, but the real story is written in the success of the businesses already here. 

Together, we’re not just supporting existing companies, we’re building Birmingham’s future. 

This article was written by BBA Vice President of Economic Development Trevor Sutton. 

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