Birmingham 2016 (Huntsville, Auburn: layoffs, tax, airport)

[Justin Scott]

Which areas would you like for the city of Birmingham to focus on in 2016?

Examples: Jobs, development, transportation, education, etc.?

I'd personally say that attracting more business (jobs) would be a great achievement. I also know that the education system needs to be fixed in order for Birmingham to attract more families. Obviously, better transportation and more development would also be on the horizon.

Opinions? Any other thoughts and/or ideas?

[Tourian]

I have mainly the same goals for 2016 as last year.

The completion of 22.

More migration of businesses to downtown leading to all the smaller spaces filled and the old towers brought back online which will require new class A space to be built when a major player decides to move in...like say BCBS or someone new.

Some sort of resolution with new convention space downtown and a new stadium.

[Reactionary]

Repeal the Birmingham occupational tax.

[TimCity2000]

if we want the renaissance to continue, we have GOT to start bringing in new jobs. we need some big announcements that don't involve layoffs...

[bhamoutlook]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

if we want the renaissance to continue, we have GOT to start bringing in new jobs. we need some big announcements that don't involve layoffs...

I agree with you but in order to bring in new jobs, we have to lobby for them. The city leadership received so much negative attention for their trips to recruit a new player for the airport facility it was ludicrous. Landing a new company at that location would be great for the city. We also need the state's support on that.

Mercedes recently made a move to relocated its US headquarters to Atlanta. Not sure that anything could have been done about that... But was anything done to recruit them to Birmingham? It would make sense for them to be here since their plant is so close. If I were in leadership in Birmingham, I would have rolled out the red carpet for Mercedes before I did that for the DNC. I would have offered them the free land to build the headquarters, incentives, and whatever else was needed. That will bring jobs.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by bhamoutlook

I agree with you but in order to bring in new jobs, we have to lobby for them. The city leadership received so much negative attention for their trips to recruit a new player for the airport facility it was ludicrous. Landing a new company at that location would be great for the city. We also need the state's support on that.

Mercedes recently made a move to relocated its US headquarters to Atlanta. Not sure that anything could have been done about that... But was anything done to recruit them to Birmingham? It would make sense for them to be here since their plant is so close. If I were in leadership in Birmingham, I would have rolled out the red carpet for Mercedes before I did that for the DNC. I would have offered them the free land to build the headquarters, incentives, and whatever else was needed. That will bring jobs.

I don't disagree with anything you said, but Mercedes would probably have picked Atlanta over Birmingham if for no other reason than the airport. Probably more important for their US HQ to have numerous direct flights back to Germany than proximity to a manufacturing plant.

[bhamoutlook]

Originally Posted by steveklein

I don't disagree with anything you said, but Mercedes would probably have picked Atlanta over Birmingham if for no other reason than the airport. Probably more important for their US HQ to have numerous direct flights back to Germany than proximity to a manufacturing plant.

Yes, I actually agree with you too. I was just making a point that the effort should be there. One day, it will probably surprise the city.

And while I doubt that Mercedes would have located its HQ here, the opportunity should have been there for the city to present its case. There was already some discussion about BHM working on a direct flight to Germany. The city could have been a part of subsidizing getting that going. Having the plant and HQ here would have supported the need for that flight even more.

A "Birmingham salesperson" would be a good idea for the Birmingham Business Alliance or the city to hire... A real negotiator.

[Justin Scott]

Any business that relocates to our business core should qualify for 10+ of tax free options. However, each company should be required to bring a minimum of 250 jobs in order to qualify. Assuming Uber remains in Birmingham six months from now, that by itself, will probably help relocate some jobs back to Birmingham. If I'm on the city council, I would work day and night to rebrand this city. I'd also work to transform the education system. Auburn and Huntsville will continue to push far ahead in job creation, if we don't do something about that soon.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Any business that relocates to our business core should qualify for 10+ of tax free options. However, each company should be required to bring a minimum of 250 jobs in order to qualify. Assuming Uber remains in Birmingham six months from now, that by itself, will probably help relocate some jobs back to Birmingham. If I'm on the city council, I would work day and night to rebrand this city. I'd also work to transform the education system. Auburn and Huntsville will continue to push far ahead in job creation, if we don't do something about that soon.

k

[bosshawk]

Originally Posted by bhamoutlook

I agree with you but in order to bring in new jobs, we have to lobby for them. The city leadership received so much negative attention for their trips to recruit a new player for the airport facility it was ludicrous. Landing a new company at that location would be great for the city. We also need the state's support on that.

That is because Brian Hilson, the president of the BBA, was pushing all of the business to Huntsville where he resided for 20 years...