OUR MISSION

Our priorities are to increase job creation, leverage and grow an Innovation Center/Public-Private think-tank in partnership with colleges and universities, build small/minority business programs, and to ease new/starting business owners into navigating through city/county services and permitting.

The Alliance is an economic development organization, dedicated to both Helping Businesses thrive and job creation/preservation. As a member-based business organization, we work hard to grow the customer base for our members, grow the Western Community’s economy, and increase the quality of life for all.

Our major initiatives and areas of focus include:

• ​Recruiting New and Diverse Businesses

• Building a Strong Workforce

• Fueling Small and Minority Business Growth

• Advocating for Issues and main business corridor Infrastructure improvements

• Partnering with and supporting the Western Educational schools

• Selling Five Points West as a Destination

• Connecting, innovating and empowering through increased collaboration

• Partnering with the City of Birmingham for healthy development in the West

STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY

• Increase job creation through recruitment and expansion of targeted business and industry including the continued development of new businesses; better communication with multipliers, prospects and media; our activity and success measured by aggressive monthly goals, with strong interaction with stakeholders.   

• Leverage and grow an Innovation Center/Public-Private think-tank in partnership with the Colleges and Universities.

• Build small/minority business programs; For-profit and Non-Profit Business Incubators

• Explore a business ombudsman to ease business start-up access to city /county services and permitting.
   

Transform Five Points and Western Area’s Image and Quality of Place

• Continue the design, engineering and resource partners for more BOLD quality of place projects; obtain final approvals; announce the project.

• Explore and build an earned media initiative strategy, positioning Five Points West as a tourism destination, a smart community and thriving location for talent, families, business and entrepreneurs.

• Work closely with hotels to maintain lodgings and occupancy levels in spite of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Develop and launch a new brand identity that communicates the Alliance’s approach to economic development and positions Five Points and Western Birmingham as a competitive destination for tourism, talent and business.

Enhance Leadership Capacity

• Focus increased efforts on building trust and open communication among Birmingham’s elected officials.

• Build strong relationships and be proactive in keeping all elected officials informed about the Alliance’s mission and value.

• Develop a proactive City and County affairs consensus agenda that addresses key infrastructure and economic development opportunities for Five Points West and the Western District.
   

Strengthen the Chamber

• Launch an updated brand and messaging for the Chamber, in concert with changes in facilities and new directions for the organization.

• Revise the member recruitment and retention plan to expand the Chamber's reach and engagement within the business community while improving financial resources.

• Identify additional sources of revenue that will enable the Alliance to further its mission.

• Be proactive in building support among public sector

• Promote and expand the Western Area Small Business Accelerator