Backed by $6 million in federal funding, the Innovate Birmingham Regional Workforce Partnership will train young adults in Alabama’s largest metro area for 925 high-paying technology-focused jobs. It’s supported by a broad coalition of business, education and community leaders.

“We’re setting the stage for tremendous growth.”

It joins other initiatives, including the Velocity Accelerator program launched by Innovation Depot, that aim to contribute additional momentum to Birmingham’s expanding technology startup scene.

Watts said the pillars of Birmingham’s innovation community – UAB, Southern Research and Innovation Depot – will play a vital role in this movement to a knowledge-based economy.

2016 RESULTS

Brian Hilson, president and CEO of the BBA, outlined economic development activity in the region last year. Highlights:

• A total of 75 projects generated 2,014 jobs and $586.5 million in new capital investment. Slightly more than half of the projects were in manufacturing, with a majority of the investment taking place in Jefferson County.
• The largest single job-creation project was auto supplier MöllerTech’s plans to open a factory in Bibb County with 222 jobs.

• The project involving the largest investment was a $131 million expansion of Gestamp metal-stamping facility in Jefferson County.
• Life sciences accounted for about 19 percent of the jobs created through projects in 2016.

“We’re setting the stage for tremendous growth,” Birmingham Mayor William Bell said at the meeting.