Exciting Developments at Port Birmingham!
Recently, the city of Birmingham has taken a big step forward in enhancing its economic landscape with an exciting new project. Officials from the Birmingham Jefferson County Port Authority (BJCPA) have officially broken ground on a brand-new 25,000-square-foot warehouse at the Port Birmingham terminal in Mulga. This new facility is specially designed to store cold-rolled steel coils, which is a significant step towards improving the overall capabilities of Alabama’s inland waterways.
A Collaborative Effort
This warehouse represents the very first public-private partnership that BJCPA has entered into, teaming up with a company called Watco. Mahari McTier, the chairman of BJCPA, expressed his excitement about this collaboration, stating, “The warehouse development project at Port Birmingham exemplifies the power of collaboration between local, county and state government.” It’s clear that there’s a strong belief that this project could be a real game-changer for economic development in the region.
Funding for Growth
One of the exciting aspects of this project is that it’s funded by an inaugural inland port infrastructure grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). It’s a joint effort involving the city of Birmingham, Jefferson County, the state of Alabama, BJCPA, and Watco. Cody Gilliland, who works as Watco’s sales director, mentioned that “the availability of warehousing near rail and waterway access emerged as a critical priority.” This facility is set to help local steel producers explore new opportunities by addressing current logistical constraints.
Boosting the Local Economy
The anticipated economic impact of this warehouse project is quite impressive—estimated at around $1.2 million overall, with more than $800,000 coming from retail sales. Officials believe this new warehouse will act as a catalyst for activity at Port Birmingham, setting it up as a key logistics hub in the area. Cornell Wesley, the director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the city, shared, “By investing in our city’s infrastructure, we are not only ensuring sustainability for our economic future…”
Positioning Birmingham for Success
Birmingham’s geography offers fantastic advantages. Situated in a central location, it’s just a day’s drive for half of the country’s population and only 400 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico. Such positioning could transform Birmingham into a significant supplier powerhouse. Jimmie Stephens, the Jefferson County Commission President, also highlighted the importance of this project, calling it a “huge step forward” for the BJCPA and suggesting it’s one of the best-kept secrets in economic development.
Understanding Economic Impact
In an economic impact study commissioned by BJCPA in 2022, it was found that the six main terminals operating within Birmingport had a total economic impact of approximately $128 million, creating 1,452 full-time equivalent jobs and generating a total payroll impact of $86 million. This just shows how important the inland port is for the local economy!
A Bright Future Ahead
Sen. Greg Reed, the president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate, shared his excitement about this project, noting how its impact is felt throughout the area. David Russell Jr., the executive director of BJCPA, reaffirmed this vision, stating, “This groundbreaking initiative represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to bolster the economic vitality of Birmingham and Jefferson County.”
As Birmingham continues to grow and adapt to the needs of its community, this new warehouse at Port Birmingham could play a pivotal role in driving economic success. The collaboration among local, county, and state agencies shows that when people come together, amazing things can happen!
