Birmingham Office of Economic Development

Economic development for the city of Birmingham, Alabama is led by the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO), also referred to as the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. This department works to grow Birmingham’s economy by supporting businesses, attracting investment and connecting residents to jobs and skills training.

What the Department Does

The office focuses on three broad areas: creating quality jobs, preparing the local workforce for those jobs, and ensuring small and locally owned businesses can participate in the city’s growth. Its work includes:

• Workforce development, recruitment and job-training initiatives
• Small-business support and entrepreneurship resources
• Partnering with developers and investors on strategic projects
• Promoting inclusive growth, including support for minority-, women- and disadvantaged-owned businesses

Supporting Businesses

For companies looking to start, relocate or expand in Birmingham, the department can serve as a point of contact for information on incentives, available sites and city processes. It coordinates with regional partners such as the Birmingham Business Alliance and state-level economic-development organizations to support larger projects. A business that wants to open or grow in the city can use the office as a starting point to understand permitting, available locations and any applicable incentive programs.

Supporting Small and Local Businesses

Small and locally owned businesses are a central focus. The office works to make sure that entrepreneurs, including minority-, women- and disadvantaged-owned firms, have access to resources, guidance and opportunities to participate in city contracts and growth. This emphasis on inclusive growth is meant to spread economic opportunity across more of Birmingham’s neighborhoods rather than concentrating it in a few areas.

Supporting Workers

On the workforce side, the office connects residents with training programs and skill-development opportunities designed to prepare them for in-demand jobs, helping align the local talent pool with employer needs. Birmingham’s economy has shifted toward health care, higher education, finance and technology, and workforce programs aim to help residents access careers in those growing sectors.

Contact Information

• Office of Economic Development / IEO
• Address: City Hall, Third Floor, 710 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Phone: 205-254-2799

Businesses, entrepreneurs and residents seeking workforce resources can reach the office for current programs, application details and referrals to partner organizations. Up-to-date information and online resources are published on the city’s economic-opportunity website.

Birmingham’s Changing Economy

Birmingham’s economy has shifted dramatically from its industrial origins in iron, steel and railroads toward a base centered on health care, higher education, finance and technology. The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the state’s largest employer, anchors a major medical and research sector, while banking and professional services give the city a substantial white-collar workforce. The economic-development office’s work is shaped by this transition, focusing on connecting residents to the jobs these growing industries create.

Working With Regional Partners

The office rarely works alone on major projects. It coordinates with organizations such as the Birmingham Business Alliance and state-level economic-development agencies, which bring additional tools, sites and incentives to the table. For a company weighing a large investment, this network means a single point of contact at the city can help connect the project to the broader set of regional resources, rather than the business having to navigate each agency separately.

Frequently Asked Questions