Should Birmingham heavily invest in "South Birmingham" for major new growth? (Mobile: construction, taxes)

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by FT897

Like I said, If the metro area contains more cities then it would get more as compared to metro areas with less cities. The state should not pick parts of a metro over other parts of a metro, or other parts of the state. The state is there for the entire state and not just metro areas or some areas or some cities. Favoritism needs to be removed from the process.

No it isn't about favoritism. No one here has even suggested that. It is about GDP, infrastructure, population and a dozen other metrics that should make one place more attractive then another.

The only favoritism shown is when Bentley chooses to make Huntsville the go to choice for mostly uncontested projects that involve major incentive packages.

As the governor of the state the idea of bringing manufacturing jobs to your state's largest city that up until recently has been losing population and your most populous county that has just emerged from bankruptcy should be a no brainer. But instead the thought process is, oh wait a bunch of people who have a lot of melanin and don't vote for me live there so let's look to a smaller city that is not suffering such issues and spend all our efforts and goodwill industry care packages there. That's favoritism, cronyism and political games at its finest.

Im not saying HSV shouldn't ever get any attention or any other part of the state. But Birmingham should get the most to the tune of about 3 or 4 to 1 vs the rest of the state. Get jeff co and the Ham blowing and going then spread some love around. But it is particularly obvious what is going on when projects like this that require immense care packages show up on Huntsville's door uncontested. It has nothing to do with anything else but politics.

[FT897]

Originally Posted by Zarzour

Well, I think I realize what you're attempting to claim and assert. Technically as you know, The City of Birmingham according to the census has actually lost population, and has done so for several years.
Technically I guess you could be correct that many outlying cities were responsible for or contributed strongly to Birmingham's reason for existence and spurt in growth and being known as the Pittsburgh of the South. One such city would be Fairfield Alabama - other much smaller towns that were coal rich such as around Jasper and Warrior - just ask any Drummond. Then there was the town of Elyton. So if you look closely, the true impetus and sustenance for Birmingham, emanated from outside of Birmingham. If it weren't for the railroad's huge presence really grown by L&N, and the ore production, outside of Birmingham, Birmingham might have been a wide spot in the middle of the road. So I get what you're saying. Others may wish to argue...doesn't really matter now. Birmingham now has its hands full in competing with cities inside the state, outside the state, and outside the region. The competition is serious, stiff, and blowing and going, if you've been paying attention. While Birmingham was sitting around arguing the finer points of segregation, and whether Bear Bryant would allow Black Americans to play on "his team" with the likes of Musso, et al, other cities were busy staking their claims to their own respective futures. Now Birmingham is playing catch-up.

While it is true that 60 plus years ago race was the driving force that received most attention in regards to Birmingham. But they had a booming industry at the time. I think the main cause of Birminghams lack of growth has been the lack of vision of it's leaders over the years. It just seems it never got going in a different direction to replace the loss of steel related jobs. I believe Birmingham can have a great future but not with an entitlement mentality and constant crying foul when another city lands an industry. If they could focus all of that wasted energy into building and promoting their city and it's surrounding cities they would accomplish so much more. On top of everything else, Jefferson counties mismanagement issues have not helped the City of Birmingham either but thats a whole thread of it's own.

[FT897]

Originally Posted by Tourian

No it isn't about favoritism. No one here has even suggested that. It is about GDP, infrastructure, population and a dozen other metrics that should make one place more attractive then another.

The only favoritism shown is when Bentley chooses to make Huntsville the go to choice for mostly uncontested projects that involve major incentive packages.

As the governor of the state the idea of bringing manufacturing jobs to your state's largest city that up until recently has been losing population and your most populous county that has just emerged from bankruptcy should be a no brainer. But instead the thought process is, oh wait a bunch of people who have a lot of melanin and don't vote for me live there so let's look to a smaller city that is not suffering such issues and spend all our efforts and goodwill industry care packages there. That's favoritism, cronyism and political games at its finest.

Im not saying HSV shouldn't ever get any attention or any other part of the state. But Birmingham should get the most to the tune of about 3 or 4 to 1 vs the rest of the state. Get jeff co and the Ham blowing and going then spread some love around. But it is particularly obvious what is going on when projects like this that require immense care packages show up on Huntsville's door uncontested. It has nothing to do with anything else but politics.

Well, politics has always played a role in how things are doled out. You cannot expect to be able to attack and put down someone and they reward you for it. That is the entitlement attitude that needs to end. Earn it. Not because you exist but because you have something to offer. Business locates where there are resources and the workforce they need. Develop that and you will win. Sit on the sidelines and cry and you will be left behind. I believe Birmingham and Jefferson county need to stop focusing on the negatives and complaining when someone else get's something and focus on making themselves of value to business who will then come to them. As the old saying goes "build it and they will come". Build a community that works for industry and business and they will flock to you. Focus on the positives and what you can do. Not wasting time complaining when someone else grows.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by FT897

While it is true that 60 plus years ago race was the driving force that received most attention in regards to Birmingham. But they had a booming industry at the time. I think the main cause of Birminghams lack of growth has been the lack of vision of it's leaders over the years. It just seems it never got going in a different direction to replace the loss of steel related jobs. I believe Birmingham can have a great future but not with an entitlement mentality and constant crying foul when another city lands an industry. If they could focus all of that wasted energy into building and promoting their city and it's surrounding cities they would accomplish so much more. On top of everything else, Jefferson counties mismanagement issues have not helped the City of Birmingham either but thats a whole thread of it's own.

It is obvious you don't know much about Birmingham. Banking and medical have become major industries here. The auto industry has come along and provided many many jobs. We've moved past just sitting around crying about a depressed steel industry.

There's no constant crying foul. You want to make blanket generalized statements about the people here as some sort of passive aggressive crack at me instead of engaging me straight up then you and the hater can have at it.

[FT897]

Originally Posted by Tourian

It is obvious you don't know much about Birmingham. Banking and medical have become major industries here. The auto industry has come along and provided many many jobs. We've moved past just sitting around crying about a depressed steel industry.

There's no constant crying foul. You want to make blanket generalized statements about the people here as some sort of passive aggressive crack at me instead of engaging me straight up then you and the hater can have at it.

You have an obvious problem and I don't think I can help you with it. It is people like you and attitudes like yours that will harm Birmingham's future more than anything else. It's all your fault. Birmingham must get rid of such people so it can become the great city on a hill that it can be.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by FT897

You have an obvious problem and I don't think I can help you with it. It is people like you and attitudes like yours that will harm Birmingham's future more than anything else. It's all your fault. Birmingham must get rid of such people so it can become the great city on a hill that it can be.

Nah. Its obvious to me you want to talk over my head or at me rather then to me and engage in a civil discussion. I know when I'm being patronized and i call it like i see them. I wasn't asking for your help. Your arrogance betrays you in that you thought i did or need some sort of life lesson from you. But by all means please continue with your unique assessment of me and the city of Birmingham since you believe we are one and the same.

[FT897]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Nah. Its obvious to me you want to talk over my head or at me rather then to me and engage in a civil discussion. I know when I'm being patronized and i call it like i see them. I wasn't asking for your help. Your arrogance betrays you in that you thought i did or need some sort of life lesson from you. But by all means please continue with your unique assessment of me and the city of Birmingham since you believe we are one and the same.

I remain unwavering in my faith that Birmingham is a great city with a potential bright future. I also believe you need help.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by FT897

I remain unwavering in my faith that Birmingham is a great city with a potential bright future. I also believe you need help.

Okay Bishop/Rightly. I believe you need a new hobby.

[FT897]

Originally Posted by Tourian

Okay Bishop/Rightly. I believe you need a new hobby.

I assume you meant this as a response to me since you quoted my post but I am confused.

I don't know who Bishop Rightly is and I am not sure what you think is wrong with my hobby. I actually do not recall discussing my hobby on this forum.

[TheCrazyHorse]

Originally Posted by Tourian

No it isn't about favoritism. It is about GDP, infrastructure, population and a dozen other metrics that should make one place more attractive then another.

No more true statement can be made than this....and this statement is exactly WHY Birmingham, Alabama is losing ground to several other southern and southwestern cities! It's exactly WHY Atlanta, Georgia, was MORE ATRRACTIVE than Birmingham, Alabama a few decades ago! It's exactly why cities like Nashville TN are all over Birmingham, Alabama. You are correct indeed one place can be more attractive than another! whether intrastate, interstate, regionally, or internationally. The "dozen other metrics" you refer to is precisely why Birmingham likes to have apologists, cheerleaders and phony boosters when it comes up against other cities that have stronger "metrics" that make those cities "more attractive". Deal with it, pal......your words...and I agree.