Arbor Day 2022

Happy Arbor Day! This year is the 150th anniversary of the first Arbor Day Celebration in the United States.

Most holidays celebrate something that has already happened and is worth remembering, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future. The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty — all for a better tomorrow.

The Tree City USA Program was created by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1976. The program is comprised of over 3000 communities across the United States. To be a member means that communities must prioritize urban forestry.

Birmingham has been a Tree City USA for 28 years and has always been committed to keeping our city green. Our region’s focus on sustainability isn’t just good for our planet, it’s good for our business community too. As so many industries transition towards more sustainable practices, Birmingham has positioned itself as a home for the future of manufacturing, technology and bioscience.

You can celebrate Arbor Day all over Birmingham by visiting one of our region’s many parks and nature preserves, like Railroad Park, Oak Mountain State Park, Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park, and more! Plus, you can always plant a tree for future generations to enjoy. Happy Arbor Day!

Alliance CEO weighs in on how Alabama should spend its infrastructure funding

The Birmingham Business Journal published an article recently, written by Angel Coker, asking local business leaders how they think the state should spend its portion of “The $1.2 trillion pie,” referring to Alabama’s portion of Congress’s recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Coker spoke with The Alliance’s CEO Ron Kitchens to ask, “What should Alabama spend this infrastructure money on?”

Here is what he had to say,

“1. Universal access to high-speed internet.

2. Rebuilding failing bridges and roads, and expanding roads in areas of the state that are growing economic output.

3. Mega sites (5,000-plus acres) for industrial location that have full infrastructure in place. This would help ensure that we’re competitive with other Southeastern states for large, job-creating projects.

4. A network of auto-charging stations.

5. Growth of the Port of Alabama with increased access to the Port of Birmingham via water and rail.

6. The expansion of the Birmingham airport as a state logistics hub.

We need more and better jobs in the region, which requires not only ensuring that our citizens have access to world-class education and training, but we must also pre-invest in the required infrastructure to meet the needs of job creators.”

The estimated job growth nationally from these funds is 1.5 million per year for the next ten years, according to the summary of the bill.

You can read the full article here.