Jobs

Alabama’s construction industry is in dire need of workers. Here’s how companies are responding

Nationally and in Alabama, a construction-workforce shortage has stretched for decades. Now, as increased demand after the pandemic shows no signs of slowing and as billions of dollars in federal funding for infrastructure and manufacturing projects flows to states, the problem is growing.

The Gulf South looks to ‘charge up’ its economy with electric vehicles

While some believe electric vehicles could lead to a southern manufacturing renaissance, workers and experts caution that it must be done carefully.

Alabama Labor Department Discontinues In-Person Unemployment Assistance

Labor officials cite safety concerns as the primary reason for moving to a phone-based system.

As Quarantine Spurs Demand, Some Companies Are Hiring

Many businesses have laid off workers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but plenty of companies in Alabama are hiring. While some companies grapple with worker safety concerns, it hasn't stopped them from growing.

COVID-19 Repercussions Will Strain Next Fiscal Year’s State Budget

The state budget is sure to take a hit next year. Lawmakers say it's too early to tell how big it will be.

Appeals Court Ruling Allows Fight for Minimum Wage Increase To Continue

A federal court ruling allows Birmingham minimum wage workers to continue to push for higher pay.

When Single Mothers Make Too Much for Government Help But Too Little to Pay the Bills

For a single mom with two children in Jefferson County, covering life’s most basic expenses  — rent, food, some health insurance — costs about $49,000 a year. A new report from the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham surveyed single mothers who work full-time, and who earn less than $30,000 a year. WBHM’s Gigi Douban spoke […]

How One Woman Rebooted Her Path to Success in the Tech World

Kristin Julbert is responsible for new developments for Regions Bank’s online platforms. She started working in online banking about 20 years ago — well before customers used smartphones to pay their bills. She recently spoke at a panel hosted by Tech Birmingham.

Birmingham Job Market Near Peak Employment

There's good news regarding the Birmingham job market. Since 2011, the city has added more than 30,000 jobs, just shy of the 45,000 needed for peak employment.

State Job Cuts and Reflections on Witnessing an Execution

Alabama lawmakers start the 2016 regular legislative session next week. They'll be talking about money and budgets and they'll be looking at a state payroll down nine percent since 2010. As state coffers took a hit post-recession, many agencies let people go. But most of the pain has not come from the top. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the job cuts. He also reflects on witnessing executions as the state executes its first inmate in more than two years.

What to Watch for in 2016 Birmingham Business

With 2015 in the books, a new year lies ahead with hopes and possibilities. To kick off another year of Magic City Marketplace, Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford explains what to watch for in 2016 as it relates to Alabama’s business community.

Google Building $600 Million Data Center in Alabama

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley says Google is planning to build a $600 million data center in northeast Alabama. Bentley said Wednesday that Google will build the data center on a 350 acre plot of land in Stevenson owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Stevenson is about 60 miles northeast of Huntsville.

Magic City Marketplace: Birmingham Job Market

Birmingham's unemployment rate is at its lowest point since the recession and about 5,000 jobs were added last year. That's good news. But the shiny headlines are tempered by the fact that Birmingham job growth is slower than other southeastern cities. We talk about that in this week's Magic City Marketplace.

Kyle Whitmire: Judge Lifts Restrictions On The Montgomery Advertiser

Last week Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance lifted his ban that temporarily blocked the Montgomery Advertiser from publishing information from Alagasco documents. We take a look at why the ban was set in the first place as well as job numbers in the state.