In what government and industry leaders are praising as a major economic development milestone for the Birmingham metro area, mayors from 20 cities across Jefferson County came together for a press conference on Wednesday and signed an agreement aimed at ending the poaching of businesses on an intra-county basis.
According to The Birmingham Business Journal, the pact includes a promise to not lure companies away from other cities within the county and to not provide incentives for businesses relocating from one Jefferson County city to another.
“This is a historic achievement,” Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson, who is president of the Jefferson County Mayors Association and served on the committee that drafted the pledge, said. “Our conversations leading up to this moment are already having an impact on the way business is being done in Jefferson County. Moving forward, we really believe this pact will lay a better foundation for the future of our county, each of our cities, and our children and grandchildren.”
Mayors of the following cities have signed the agreement thus far, and an invitation remains open to other cities to still come on board: Argo, Bessemer, Birmingham, Brighton, Center Point, Clay, Fairfield, Graysville, Homewood, Hoover, Lipscomb, Midfield, Mountain Brook, Mulga, Pleasant Grove, Sylvan Springs, Tarrant, Trafford, Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Warrior and West Jefferson.
Recent studies, including one by The Birmingham Business Journal, have shown that millions of dollars in incentives have been granted or offered to businesses to move from one Jefferson County city to another. This creates no net new jobs for the region but results in a net loss of tax revenue.
The agreement also included a promise of cooperation amongst cities when trying to recruit new businesses to the region.
“When one of us gains a business at the expense of one of our neighbors, we’re not creating new jobs or expanding opportunity in the county,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin stated. “What really serves our citizens is attracting new businesses and helping our existing businesses thrive and expand — accomplishments that create real growth and will ultimately benefit us all.”
The pact still allows business expansions from one city to another that result in no net job loss to the original city.
In a tweet, Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said, “This is a great move for Jefferson County and its various municipalities! Greater economic success is sure to follow.”
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
