Birmingham AL Moving Companies

Birmingham, Alabama

Situated at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is the City of Birmingham, Alabama. Once the primary industrial center of the southern U.S., Birmingham has transformed itself into a medical research, banking and service-based economy, making it one of the nation's most livable cities with a vivacious downtown, a top-notch culinary scene and more green space per capita than any other city in the country. With all of these exciting amenities, it's no wonder why so many people are moving to Birmingham.

History:
Established in 1871, the city of Birmingham’s nearby mineral deposits of iron ore, limestone and coal made the city a likely location for iron smelting. In 1878, owners of the Pratt Coal and Coke Company provided a major stimulus for the city’s recovery from the 1873 recession. Birmingham had become the area's foremost industrial city, sprouting from a rough and tumble "boomtown.” Continued industrial development in the 1890s encouraged the rapid growth of unions, mainly among railroad workers, miners and the building trades. Birmingham quickly became the transportation center of the mid-South. However, as the city's economy was beginning to take off again, the stock market crashed of 1929 adversely affected the local economy, throwing thousands of residents looking for work and prompting the White House to call Birmingham "the hardest hit city in the nation." The city experienced many social challenges during the Civil Rights Movement. The University of Alabama at Birmingham was moved from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham in 1945. As Birmingham's steel production declined during the end of the 20th Century, diversified manufacturing and services grew.

Economy:
For many years, Birmingham was dependent heavily on the iron and steel industry. Today, the city's economy relies heavily on the medical industry as well as trade, research, government and finance. The main industrial investments in Birmingham have been in automotive components manufacturing, distribution and metals. Birmingham is headquarters for the engineering and technological services of several power companies, including Alabama Power Company and SONAT. Metro Birmingham is a leading retail and wholesale trade hub for the state and parts of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi. According to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, projections for the fastest-growing occupations in Birmingham through 2012 include jobs in medical services. A focal point for health care and medical research, the city boasts the University of Alabama Medical Center, known throughout the world for its research on the treatment of diabetes, cancer, AIDS and arthritis. Birmingham has also experienced significant growth as a transportation hub. Multimillion-dollar runway and cargo facility expansions took place in 2004 as part of the city's plan to promote further growth in the transportation and distribution industries.

Tourism:
The city of Birmingham is home to exciting attractions, including fine restaurants, excellent golf courses, unique shopping opportunities and a vivid nightlife. Head over to the Birmingham Zoo, Alabama's Number one tourist attraction, where you can see more than 700 wild animals. Next, visit thet Vulcan Park and Museum. Home to the world's largest cast iron statue, and featuring spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham, Vulcan Park and Museum tells the story of Birmingham's past, present and promise for the future. Check out the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This “living institution” views the lessons of the past in a positive light, mapping new direction for the future. The institute's permanent exhibitions offer a self-directed journey through the Civil Rights Movement and human rights struggles of today. Ready for some speed? Talladega Superspeedway is the biggest, fastest, most competitive motor racing facility in the world. The track offers daily tours, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum is located just across the track.

Colleges/Universities:

• Samford University
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Birmingham School of Law

Interesting Facts:

• The City of Birmingham did not come into existence until after the Civil War.
• The Birmingham Airport opened in 1931. At the time of the opening a Birmingham to Los Angeles flight took 19 hours.
• Birmingham is home to The Vulcan, which is the world's largest cast iron statue. The Vulcan is 56 feet tall and weighs 120,000 pounds.