City of Birmingham-Office of Economic Development

Mayor's Office- Office of Economic Development

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
710 North 20th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Telephone: (205) 254-2799
Fax: (205) 254-7741

The Mayor's Office of Economic Development (OED) has the primary responsibility for the economic growth and development of the City of Birmingham. It serves as the principal point of contact for economic development issues and activities.
In addition to providing policy recommendations to the Mayor and Council, OED is responsible for developing the City's economic development strategy. OED coordinates the implementation of that strategy both within city government and through other organizations that provide economic development services to clients on the City's behalf through their contracts with the City.
The Mayor's Office of Economic Development (OED) provides a wide range of financial and technical assistance services to new and existing businesses located in the City of Birmingham. The OED gives priority attention to projects that contribute significantly to the stability and growth of Birmingham's economy.
AVAILABLE SERVICES
Marketing/Recruitment Program
OED directs this program, which is a cooperative effort between the City of Birmingham and the Metropolitan Development Board (MDB), to market vacant buildings and sites in the City of Birmingham. The program consists of coordinated permitting and inspection procedures, a database of available buildings and sites, and specially designed business incentives. For more information contact Tracey Morant Adams at (205)254-2799 or Griffin Lassiter at (205) 254-3007.
Business Retention Program
OED works proactively to better understand business concerns and attitudes. The City of Birmingham generates most of its new jobs and tax base from companies which already exist in our community. This program is conducted in cooperation with the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact Andrew Mayo at (205) 254-2774 or Felecia Ward at (205) 254-2273.
Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program
OED administers Birmingham's designated State Enterprise Zone, which is comprised of 10,000 acres of largely industrial area. Eligible new or expanding businesses located in the zone may qualify for tax credits or exemptions. For more information contact Andrew Mayo at (205) 254-2774.
Financial Services
OED offers a number of state and federal economic development financing programs including the following: SBA 504, SBA 7(a), SBA LowDoc and MicroLoans, CDBG Float Loans, EDA Revolving Loans and industrial revenue bond financing. For more information contact Tracey Morant Adams at (205) 254-2799 or Lisa Cooper at (205) 254-2657.
SBA 504 Program offers long‑term, fixed asset financing to eligible small businesses (under 500 employees) for the acquisition, construction, expansion or renovation of land and buildings or purchase of long‑life equipment.

SBA 7a Program provides loan guarantees for commercial loans as well as direct loans to eligible small businesses. The proceeds may be used for debt consolidation, business acquisition, purchase of machinery or real estate, and leasehold improvements.

SBA LowDoc Program provides financing up to $100,000 for small businesses using a simplified application process. The loan focuses on character, credit and business experience of the borrower.

SBA Pre-Qualification Loan Program is designed to increase lending to women, minorities and other targeted groups by pre-qualifying potential borrowers for loans of up to $250,000 backed by an SBA guaranty prior to the client approaching their commercial lender.

SBA Microlending Demonstration Program provides loans of up to $25,000 to qualified small businesses who agree to attend training seminars and work with commercial lenders to improve their creditworthiness and business experience.

Economic Stimulus Loan Program is designed to assist Birmingham based businesses with an alternative option for small business financing. This loan initiative was developed to create financial opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs thus encouraging increased economic development projects in the City of Birmingham. Under this program applicants may apply for loans at a minimum amount of $100,000 or up to a maximum amount of $1,000,000 for a maximum term not to exceed 24 months.

EDA Revolving Loan Fund Program provides direct loans for the purchase of land, buildings, machinery, equipment and new expansion. Limited to businesses located within the City of Birmingham.

Industrial Revenue Bond Financing is a special method of financing in which a municipal entity, such as the Birmingham Industrial Development Board, issues bonds to finance the acquisition of real property, construction or renovation of facilities, or the purchase of equipment and machinery for eligible businesses. IDB bonds may be taxable or tax‑exempt under certain circumstances.

State of Alabama Linked Deposit Loan Program provides a portion of the State's investment portfolio to be made available for deposit with Alabama banks to "link" with loans that those financial institutions make to eligible businesses.

Community Development Float Loan Short term financing through a City of Birmingham "FLOAT Loan" funded by HUD Community Development Block Grant provides low-interest financing for a maximum term of 30 months and is available primarily for City of Birmingham qualified projects. Loan terms average 18-24 months, with amounts ranging from $100,000 - $1,000,000. Eligible uses of CDBG funds include real estate acquisition, renovation and construction.
INCENTIVES/PUBLICATIONS
Bidding Opportunities
Building Codes
Building Permits
Taxes and eFiling
Online Mapping
Welcome to Birmingham Alabama

Foreign Trade Zone No. 98
OED operates a 116-acre General Purpose Zone located at the Birmingham International Airport and at the Shaw Warehouse in downtown Birmingham, and special purpose Manufacturing Sub Zones serving NAACO Industries and Mercedes-Benz USA. For more information contact Andrew Mayo at (205) 254-2774.
Merchants Association
OED staff serves as liaison to Merchants Associations to assist with various projects and promotional activities. The office works closely with the Main Street Birmingham to revitalize the commercial areas throughout the city. For more information contact Felecia Ward at (205) 254-2273 or Andrew Mayo at (205) 254-2774.
Industrial Parks Program
OED provides industrial park sites to new and expanding businesses. The City currently has sites available in four City-owned parks located within the City of Birmingham. The Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board is responsible for marketing the City's industrial parks.
For more information contact Janice James Douthard, Industrial Parks Director at (205) 912-5965.
Sister City Commission
The City of Birmingham began its Sister City Commission on April 23, 1982, when we established a Sister City relationship with Hitachi, Japan. The program is affiliated with Sister Cities International. The commission has as its purpose and goal to cultivate economic, social and cultural cooperation between the people of Birmingham and the people of selected cities around the world. Sister Cities is a people-to-people exchange program designed to enrich the cultural, educational, social and economic life of communities around the world. We have an active program and group of volunteers. We are always looking for people with an interest in working on our relationships. We serve the greater Birmingham Community. For more information contact Scotty Colson at (205)254-2317.
International Protocol
The Office of Economic Development handles a wide range of protocol issues for the Mayor and City Council including scheduling events, planning itineraries and providing background and briefing materials. Protocol events are important to the City of Birmingham because they garner goodwill among the community and bring added emphasis to international relations and development. For more information contact Scotty Colson at (205)254-2317.

ASSOCIATED AGENCIES

Alabama Development Office - Industrial Recruitment, Business Retention/Expansion, Site/ Location Assistance, and Data Source

Alabama Minority Business Opportunity Center – Procurement/Technical Assistance; Minority-owned Business Resource, and Data Source
Birmingham Business Resource Center - Entrepreneurial Support, Technical Assistance, and Micro-lending
Birmingham Construction Industry Authority – Minority-owned Contractor/Subcontractor Development, Minority-owned Business Certification, and Technical Assistance
Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board - Industrial Recruitment, Business Retention/Expansion, Site/Location Assistance, and Data Source

Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce - Regional Business Association
Central Alabama Women’s Business Center - Entrepreneurial Support, Technical Assistance, Women-Owned Business Certification, and Lending
Innovation Depot - Business Incubator
Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority - Industrial Recruitment, Business Retention/Expansion, Site/Location Assistance, and Data Source

Operation New Birmingham - Downtown Development, and Site/Location Assistance
Small Business Administration – Technical/Procurement Assistance, Small Business Certification, and Financing
Sister Cities International – International Development
South Regions Minority Business Council – Technical/Procurement Assistance, Minority-owned Business Certification, and Financing