IN THIS ISSUE:

• Commission President Gives Boost to Northern Beltline Project
• Gather for Great Networking Opportunities and More
• Birmingham Highways Receive Failing Grades for Safety and Funding
• Image Survey Results Shows Strengths and Weaknesses of Birmingham
• Will Regional County Officials Help Business in 2009 – Or Hurt Us?
• How flexible is your business? Find out
• Consider Sponsoring a Chamber Event in 2009
• A New Year, A New Look

In a recent Birmingham News article, Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins said the county expects an economic boon from the impending construction of the Northern Beltline (add hyperlink to map). No doubt, many of Jefferson County’s businesses, municipalities and residents are counting on it.

“Just think of all the development of all the business that will come about because of the beltline that would run from I-59 to I-65 over to Corridor X. I think businesses will provide infras­tructure and will need water and sewer and we will have new families moving into the county. We’re going to have new roads,” Collins said in the article.

We’re reminded of a scene from the movie "Field of Dreams." It seems that Commissioner Collins indeed has a dream for our county – if we build the Northern Beltline, economic growth will come. We believe that a mega-project, such as the Northern Beltline, would bring in new business, new residents, and an expanded tax base for the county. The positive attitude and thinking expressed by Commissioner Collins is just what this region needs during the current down economy.

Like many forward-thinking, pro-growth organizations, including the Birmingham Regional Chamber’s Coalition for Regional Transportation, Collins dismissed any charges that the Northern Beltline would negatively impact the environment. Environmental organizations and the Environmental Protection Agency will certainly have an integral role during the construction in seeing that environmental regulations are followed, but not to obstruct a properly designed project.

Like Collins, the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce believes the beltline project must happen. The funding is there and the support is there. Let’s work as a community to get this project underway as soon as possible, which could be as early as 2010. Your voice matters! To find out how you can help click here.

Back to Top

January Business After Hours
5-7 p.m. Jan. 22
The Wine Loft - Downtown

Great minds are gathering Jan. 22 at The Wine Loft in downtown Birmingham. Once again, the Birmingham Regional Chamber and Birmingham magazine have teamed up to bring you yet another of the region's not-to-be -missed networking events!

The January Business After Hours and Big Black Book of Business Party is where the 2009 Big Black Book of Business will be released to the region and what a party it will be! Grab your co-workers and friends and head to The Wine Loft in downtown Birmingham. REMEMBER: bring plenty of business cards for the valuable contacts you and your team will make!

Great minds, great location, great networking, great wine and a great, free 2009 Big Black Book of Business - what more could anyone need to make 2009 a success? Register today.

Back to Top

The Birmingham area receives grades of “F” for traffic safety and transportation funding, according to a new report released by TRIP (The Road Information Program), a national non-profit transportation research group. TRIP’s report also assigns grades of “C-” to road conditions and congestion in the area and rates bridge conditions a “C.”

Click here to read the full report.

The report, entitled “Making the Grade in Alabama,” finds that the Birmingham area averages 85 traffic fatalities each year, and has a traffic fatality rate of 12.8 fatalities per 100,000 population. On average, more than 1,100 people are killed on Alabama’s roads each year, and the state’s rate of 2.0 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel is 42 percent higher than the national average of 1.41 percent.

Because numerous critical transportation projects in Birmingham will not move forward without additional funding – including improvements to I-59, I-65, I-459 and the Northern Beltline – the Birmingham region was assigned a grade of “F” for transportation funding. Breaking ground on the Northern Beltline is a priority for the Chamber. The TRIP report finds that the state currently faces a $6.9 billion shortfall from 2008 to 2017 in highway transportation funding for needed projects. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) estimates that from 2008 to 2017, approximately $16.2 billion is needed to allow the state to significantly improve road and bridge conditions, make reasonable roadway safety improvements and address needed traffic congestion relief. However, anticipated funding levels from 2008 to 2017 will be only $9.3 billion.

“We are encouraged by the TRIP report which affirms the current needs and will be material to the ongoing discussion. The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has a long standing position of support for investment in public infrastructure throughout the region. Understanding that Congress will appropriate funds for a significant investment in infrastructure as part of the upcoming economic stimulus program, we hope to receive adequate funding for our ‘ready to go’ projects,” said Russell Cunningham, CEO and President of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We encourage Congress to also provide sufficient funding for the region's transit and roads needs in the Federal Transportation Bill slated to be passed in 2009,” Cunningham continued.

The TRIP report also assigns a grade of ‘C-’ to road conditions in Birmingham, noting that 13 percent of major roads in the region are in poor condition and an additional 17 percent are in mediocre condition. Included in the report is a list of 10 segments of deteriorated roadway in the area that are most in need of repair or replacement. Statewide, 5 percent of Alabama’s roads are in poor condition and 8 percent are in mediocre condition.

Congestion levels in Birmingham also earn the area a grade of ‘C-’, as the average rush hour trip takes approximately 15 percent longer to complete than during non-rush hour times. The TRIP report pinpoints 10 of the most congested segments of roadway in Birmingham, including two sections of US-280, three segments of I-65 and three congested areas on I-20.

Back to Top

Inside the seven-county Birmingham region, residents view the city’s medical community, higher-education institutions, southern hospitality and family-oriented environment as the area’s largest strengths. That’s according to a survey recently commissioned by the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce of more than 1,200 people in the region.

“Birmingham is fortunate to have a high-class healthcare community and be surrounded by not one, but several four-year colleges,” said Melanie Davis, the Chamber’s vice president of communications. “I believe these are strengths we need to capitalize on.”

The Chamber tasked a Samford University Brock School of Business marketing class with conducting the survey, both online and in person. The goal was to gauge image perceptions of Birmingham by Birmingham-area residents.

“Instead of wondering how Birminghamians feel about the community why not ask them to find the truth,” Davis said.

Other strengths included Birmingham’s religious institutions and arts/culture/entertainment, but the surveyors did not rate it as important.

Area residents are also seeing a change in race relations, according to survey results. Twelve percent of those surveyed identified racism as a top three weakness of the Birmingham area. That is a 14 percent decrease from an image survey commissioned by the Chamber in 2001, where 26 percent of respondents blamed racial history as impacting the image of the city.

“It was great to see a decline in race relations,” Davis said. “It shows we’ve come a long way.”

Read the full story in the Birmingham News and the Birmingham Buiness Journal.

Back to Top

2009 State of the Region
11: 30 a.m. Jan. 15
The Harbert Center

Make plans to attend this year's State of the Region and find out how regional county officials could help or hurt business in 2009. This year's State of the Region will be at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Harbert Center.

This annual, first-of-the-year preview by the elected leaders of the seven-county region has become a “must-attend” event for many Chamber members. Thank you to BBVA Compass for being our 2009 presenting sponsor.

The luncheon will feature brief comments by each of the chairpersons of our seven county commissions along with comments from the City of Birmingham and City of Hoover. They will speak to our group about the obstacles their municipalities will face and how regionalism will benefit them in 2009.

Reserved tables ensure preferred seating and are priced reasonably at only $250. Individual seat tickets are available for only $30. You may Register Here on our website for the event. If you have questions about the reservation, call Libba Miller at 241.8107 or e-mail lmiller@birminghamchamber.com.

This is a great opportunity to hear about the entire region and the impact that working together can have. The event is expected to fill up quickly so reserve your spot today.

Back to Top

Applications for the 2009 Sloan Awards are available Jan. 7. If you are an organization that uses flexibility as a tool to enhance the success of your business and your employees, apply for the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.

You could receive national and local recognition as an exemplary employer. The Birmingham region is one of only 30 communities across the country offering employers an opportunity to apply for this award.

The application process is short and easy. Applications are available January 7th at: www.whenworkworks.org. The application deadline is April 1.

Back to Top

Thinking About Cutting Back Due to the Economy? In a study of US recessions, McGraw-Hill Research found that business-to-business firms that maintained or increased advertising expenditures during the 1981-82 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth than those that eliminated or decreased advertising.

Why Sponsorships? According to a nationwide survey commissioned by John Hancock Financial Services, 64 percent of their respondents thought more favorably of a company that sponsored local events. Sponsorships offer the unique opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with your target audience; to tell them why they should choose you above your competitors at a time when building relationships is an imperative.

Why Birmingham Regional Chamber Sponsorships? Simply put- audience composition. Chamber members represent some of the region's most important and influential corporate leaders, mid-level managers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, young professionals, media personalities, educators; political figures and more. We have more than 4,000 members that span a seven county region; those 4,000 members are employed by businesses that represent 300,000 plus employees. Are you looking to make an impact with the best and brightest businesses in the region? Look no further than the .

Visit our website for availability and information about sponsorships by clicking here: 2009 Sponsorships or contact Angie Odom Vilchez at 205-21-8128 or avilchez@birminghamchamber.com. Don’t wait because our 2009 sponsorships are filling up quickly.

Back to Top

The Chamber's bi-monthly e-newsletter now has a new look and a new name. Chamber Currents - our revamped e -newsletter - is designed to provide you with even more Chamber news and upcoming events.

The re-designed e-newsletter provides quick links to Chamber blogs like the Caputo Report and YP Scene, as well as easy ways to share our stories either by e-mail or through popular social networks like Facebook.

Just like the old e-newsletter, there will be quick links to register for any of the Chamber's upcoming events. You can also subscribe to an RSS feed to stay updated on the latest Chamber news.

Also, check out who's joining the Chamber. On the left side bar you'll find a link to our new members each month. The left side bar also will include links to our Small Business of the Month and From One Member to Another guest column.

Chamber Currents will replace the Chamber's monthly printed newsletter, and just the like the old e- newsletter will be published twice a month.

Let us know what you think of Chamber Currents. Click here to e-mail us. Want to advertise in Chamber Currents? E-mail Angie Vilchez for information on advertising.

Back to Top

Vic Nigri is not only excited about doing business in Birmingham, but he's also dedicated to helping the community through his business. That dedication has earned him recognition as the Chamber's Small Business of the Month for January.

Nigri is president and co-owner of The Fitness Center with his wife, Beth. The Fitness Center has been in business in Birmingham for 14 years. Employing 10 people, it is a one-on-one personal training and weight loss center. Its goal is to provide clients with a proper environment to improve their fitness level.

Nigri said he's been blessed to do business in Birmingham. "Don't judge this city by what is printed in the newspaper because there is a special quality to this town," he said. "The city is only as good as its citizens and the people that reside in this city are loyal. They support their charities, churches, businesses, sports teams, schools and have good old-fashioned integrity."

Nigri and his business have been quick to give back to the community by donating to several area charities, including Camp Smile-A-Mile.

Recently, The Fitness Center was nominated for the Chamber's Entrepreneur of the Year award. Visit their website at thefitnesscenter.org.

Each month, the Chamber will be recognizing a small business for its community involvement and success. To nominate your business, click here to download an application or contact Ashley Grigg for more information.

Back to Top

It is doom and gloom time for jobs according to the press. Never mind that over 93 percent of the population is employed. Business is not dead, just a bit slow. So which jobs have the best chance of being strong during a recession? Here are my top 5 picks for recession-proof jobs, and why.

1. Professional Services – especially accountants and attorneys. Whether you are starting, running or closing a business, you need accounting and legal services.
2. Energy Sector jobs. The lights must stay on, our homes warmed in winter and cooled in summer. Whether in the traditional fossil fuel sector or emerging technologies workers will be needed in good times or bad.
3. Security. Good times, bad times – there is always a need for cops and robbers. Add our vigilance against terrorism and there is security for security jobs.
4. Healthcare. Our aging population and national obsession with universal healthcare indicates this is one sector that will enjoy growth in the coming years.
5. Sales. When times are tough, smart companies don’t cut back on their sales effort – they increase it. Why? Sales people are usually paid on a commission basis – first the company gets the business, then they pay the sales team.

Chris Harlow is an Executive Career Advisor with Career Concepts, inc (www.careerconceptsinc.org) – a full service, certified career management and outplacement Birmingham-based firm.

EDITOR'S NOTE: From One Member to Another is a new guest column in the Chamber's e-newsletter written by members for members. For guidelines on writing a guest column click here or e-mail Laura McAlister

Back to Top

Want to subscribe to the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter? It's easy and it's free! Subscription to the Chamber's e-newsletter is an exclusive benefit for current members of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. If you are a fulltime employee of a Chamber member firm, you are considered a member of the Chamber and eligible to sign up for this newsletter.

If you don't know whether your employer is a member, please click on Join the Chamber

All you’ve got to do to start getting the E-newsletter is to add your business email address in the box below.

NOTE: Please make sure the Chamber is not blocked by your firm's spam blocker.