Birmingham partnerships promote jobs, support entrepreneurs
If you think about most of the problems that confront our city, and every other community, it’s hard to find one that can’t be helped by making sure that people are equipped to operate successful businesses or get good jobs.
When people have opportunities to succeed, they are less likely to struggle with poverty and all the challenges that go along with inadequate resources. They can pay their bills and support their families. They are less likely to commit crimes. They are more likely to buy homes and keep them in good repair. They can maintain stability that contributes to their children’s success in school. They pay more taxes to support city services that further enhance their quality of life.
In Birmingham, one in four adults is not in the workforce. That’s why one of our top goals is to lift up those who have been left on the sidelines in today’s economy. But like all complex issues, there’s not a simple solution.
That hasn’t stopped my team from making this effort a priority. I’m proud that they continue to make significant strides to enhance job opportunities for our residents and foster a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs in our community.
Recently, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su was in Birmingham to promote the “Good Jobs” campaign, which focuses on the kind of employment where, in her words, people “do not just get by, but get ahead.”
I’m happy to support the principles of the Good Jobs initiative, because I want for my residents the same thing I want for my own family: Opportunities that provide a decent livelihood so they can support their family’s needs now and over the long term.
My team’s commitment to building a skilled workforce and an inclusive economy is evident through a variety of innovative programs and partnerships that focus on job training as well as entrepreneurship, particularly in underserved communities.
Here’s a look at some key initiatives and successes:
Small Business Week 2024
The city’s Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity marked Small Business Week, featuring 14 events between April 28 and May 4 that received an overwhelmingly positive response from participants. Events included virtual and in-person educational and networking opportunities tailored for Birmingham’s small business community. We also collaborated with Goldman Sachs on a pitch competition that resulted in a $5,000 award to the winner and $1,000 each to four other participants. All workshop attendees received $50 vouchers for professional headshots.
Throughout the week, we also supported the city’s economy and showcased our local business talent, with 95% of the vendors being minority or women-owned businesses.
RISE incentives for job creation and retention
The Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity supports Birmingham businesses through a program called RISE, or Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion. This initiative establishes two funds to assist businesses that retain and expand their employee base within the city. Eligible businesses include new startups creating at least five full-time jobs and small businesses that have been declined for loans. So far, nearly $100,000 has been awarded to five black-owned businesses in Birmingham. See one example here.
Heart of Birmingham
In partnership with the Birmingham Business Resource Center, the city’s Heart of Birmingham initiative has awarded $500,000 to 50 businesses. The forgivable loan program emphasizes support for minority- and women-owned businesses, with over 85% of loans going to Black businesses and over 63% to women business owners.
Better Business Loan Program
In partnership with Citizens Trust Bank, the Better Business Loan Program has awarded $475,000 to 48 businesses. More than 95% were Black- or minority-owned, and more than 60% were owned by women.
BHAM Strong
The BHAM Strong initiative has awarded more than $2.1 million to 98 businesses, with 75% of loans going to Black-owned businesses and over 36% to women business owners. Used extensively to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, this program demonstrates our effort to foster economic resilience and growth among its small business community.
Women in Advanced Manufacturing (WAM)
The city supported the AFL-CIO’s Working for America Institute in a successful application for a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau to support women’s opportunities into trade jobs. Women in Advanced Manufacturing — a free, six-month pre-apprenticeship program taught at Lawson State Community College — provides women of color with comprehensive training and support on the path into high-demand nontraditional occupations.
Good Jobs Challenge
The city secured a $10.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development AdministrationGood Jobs Challenge to create partnerships that will lead to 1,000 individuals being trained and placed in high-demand healthcare jobs. This not only benefits residents but also some of our city’s largest employers.
Recompete
Our $24.5 million Reinvest Birmingham initiative strives to connect residents to good jobs, targeting the communities of North Birmingham, Northside, Smithfield, and Pratt. We meet people where they are, focusing on needs related to workforce training, transportation access, and child care. It established Black Business Entrepreneurship Center to assist residents who want to launch or scale businesses.
Ready to Work Program
As part of a partnership with the Onin Group’ Ready to Work initiative, Birmingham aims this year to enroll 50–75 participants in a five-week paid training program that will culminate in the Alabama Career Essentials certification indicating they are equipped with necessary job skills. Participants also go on industry tours to get a better understanding of the jobs they will be seeking.
Child Care Landscape Analysis
The city hired Longleaf Strategies to conduct a Child Care Landscape Analysis to inform strategies for improving the quality, availability, and affordability of child care. The results are a litany of innovative partnerships, programs and investments that cities across the United States have used to move the needle on child care. The analysis will help us support implementation of the recently passed Employer Child Care Tax Credit.
Justice Impact Research
The Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity is exploring employment barriers faced by justice-impacted residents through qualitative interviews. This research aims to develop better support systems for formerly incarcerated individuals, a population that has historically struggled to return to the workforce. With our partner, Quire, we are spending time with these residents, gaining a deeper understanding of their challenges, and ultimately looking for ways to reduce their barriers to work.
Doulas
Under a program called BOLD — Building Opportunities for Lasting Development — the city supports the training of new doulas and provides free birth services to families, enhancing maternal health in Birmingham. Working with Birthwell Partners, we hope to train 30 doulas and provide free doula services to 100 families across Birmingham.
Embrace Mothers program
Embrace Mothers provided 110 single mothers in Birmingham $375 a month for a year, with no strings attached. It was a pilot program funded by a $500,000 grant and conducted in partnership with a national network called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. The pilot was run as a randomized control trial in partnership with Abt Associates and the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania. (You can read more about that here.
Good Jobs, Great Cities
In 2023, Birmingham was accepted into the National League of Cities’ Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy. As part of this partnership, our Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity hopes to create workforce pathways for underrepresented communities, especially on the north side of town, with a focus is on high-demand, high-growth jobs in advanced manufacturing. Through this project, the IEO team has taken a special look at green workforce supporting jobs, and has assessed the care industry that helps support people in the workforce. We hope to scale those wraparound services to reduce barriers to work.
If we provide more opportunities for our residents who are now on the sidelines, they are not the only ones who stand to gain.
Through this kind of comprehensive approach, Birmingham is paving the way for a more inclusive, skilled, and resilient workforce, ensuring long-term economic growth and prosperity for all of our residents.
