Connection. Opportunity. Impact. BBA’s FuelAL 2025

This summer, the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) proudly hosted another successful season of FuelAL, in partnership with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) and Innovate Alabama. This a statewide talent retention and engagement initiative is designed to connect college interns and young professionals to people, culture and career opportunities throughout the Greater Birmingham Region. FuelAL 2025 delivered powerful programming focused on three key goals: 1. Create meaningful connections and provide invaluable resources to our young talent.
2. Showcase the quality of life in the Birmingham region. 
3. Position our region and state as a long-term destination for top talent.

The Birmingham Region = A Hub for Talent

In Birmingham, interns from across the country were introduced to the heart of the city’s innovation, culture and business community. Through interactive experiences, networking events, volunteer activities and access to community events and past times, participants saw firsthand why the Birmingham region is not just a place to work, it’s a place to thrive.

BBA’s FuelAL 2025 Programming

Panels & Speakers
Participating interns heard directly from Birmingham leaders across industries, including tech, healthcare, manufacturing and entrepreneurship – on how the region is growing and how they can be part of its future. Professional Development Workshops
Sessions focused on career readiness, leadership and workplace culture helped prepare interns to launch their careers with confidence. Community Volunteering 
Participating interns spent time at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, packing 770 boxes of food for Birmingham neighbors in need. This serves as a powerful reminder of the impact young talent can have beyond the workplace. The FuelAL End-of-Summer Celebration
We closed the season with an evening at Regions Field, complete with a Barons game, networking, food and fun. We were proud to celebrate the interns’ hard work and the relationships they built along the way.

Experience & Testimonials

Interns shared how FuelAL changed their perception of the Birmingham region, many noting that the experience changed how they view their future and where they want to build it. Several participants expressed interest in returning to Birmingham after graduation to pursue careers and jobs. Click to Watch Hunter Forsythe’s Testimonial, Intern for Maynard Nexsen and FuelAL 2025 Participant 

Collaborative Partners

FuelAL 2025 was made possible thanks to the support of employers, universities, and regional partners across Alabama. In the Birmingham region, we’re especially grateful to those who opened their doors, shared their insights and made each event impactful and memorable. Thank you, Innovation Depot, 58 Inc., Discover Shelby, CModel CEO Teasha Cable, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and many others for your contributions to this summer’s programming.

Why Does FuelAL Matter?

As the Birmingham region continues to grow, retaining and attracting talent is critical to the region’s long-term success. FuelAL is a direct investment in that future, giving the next generation of leaders a reason to plant roots here in the abundant Birmingham region. Recently, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) named Birmingham one of the top U.S. cities with the healthiest job markets for entry-level professionals. This mention was made possible by programs like FuelAL, and the Birmingham region’s abundance of opportunity and affordable cost of living. To read the WSJ article, click here. Additionally, Birmingham was mentioned by Harold Ford, Jr. of Fox News‘ The Five for this piece in the WSJ further amplifying our voice and showcasing that Birmingham Has More. To watch that shoutout, click here. If you’re unsure about what all the Birmingham “hype” is about – let us show you. And, to clear the air, it’s not hype – it’s just real life to us in our corner of the south. To learn “Why Birmingham” is a great place to work, live and play, click here. To experience some of the magic, come and see us. We’d be happy to have you in the Birmingham region!