Sloss Furnaces holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Birmingham. The original blast furnaces constructed by James Withers Sloss in the early 1880′s served to propel the fledgling city of Birmingham into the pre-eminent industrial center of the South. For this reason Sloss Furnaces is a rich source of local pride and an invaluable part of their collective identity.

But the Sloss Furnaces story doesn’t end there. They are now looking to the future with plans to preserve Sloss Furnaces and expand on it’s base as a cultural icon. You’ll find these plans are big and bold, much like the towering smokestacks and enormous furnaces that made Sloss the stuff of legend. Sloss Furnaces produced iron for nearly 90 years, which gave rise to the city of Birmingham.

Now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces with its web of pipes and tall smokestacks offers them a glimpse into the great industrial past of the South and their nation. Sloss Furnaces Museum Store is one of the most unique places in Birmingham to purchase souvenirs and gifts. The City of Birmingham grew into the city that it is today because of the iron industry and Sloss Furnaces. So, if you want a piece of Birminghams history to take home with you, begin your search at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.

For more information, please visit http://www.slossfurnaces.com

Urbanham.com was created and launched in 1999 by Russell McClinton as an online event calendar designed with the intent
of informing Greater Birminghams African American community of events taking place in the area. Shortly after launching, Urbanham.com grew in users and became a regular bookmark for those that sought information on Birminghams social and community activities. In addition to providing information on events, Urbanham.com took on the role of uplifting and supporting Greater Birminghams creative, urban professional and grassroots communities.

Musicians, singers, poets, dancers, artist, inspirational teenagers, community leaders and promising business owners represent the list of individuals that have been featured on the pages of Urbanham.com. As they approach the 10 Year Anniversary of Urbanham.com they would like to give a special thanks to all of the users, sponsors and affiliates that have supported them over the past decade. They promise to continue to serve you through great commentary, positive reflections and of course the most visited and trusted online calendar serving Greater Birminghams urban community.

For more information, please visit http://urbanham.com

The metro Birmingham area consist of Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker counties. birmingham city skyline Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city. It is also know as Bham and the Magic City. The Magic City name is due to the magical growth in the early 20th century. The amazing rise in population was because the steel mills in the area were booming and employment was plentiful. However, globalization and corporate downsizing has changed the face of the city from that of a steel city.

The steel mills are still visible, but they are not the major businesses or sources of jobs in town anymore. some major sources of Birmingham, Alabama jobs Bham’s skyline is now dominated by buildings for banks, hotels, hospitals, university (UAB), utilities, etc. With the change in the economy, Birmingham has become economically diverse and maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state.

For more information, please visit http://www.birminghamnet.com

On May 31, 1931, The Birmingham Airport opened with pomp, ceremony and the greatest air show that the city had ever seen. Hundreds came to witness the Birmingham debut of commercial passenger service with a stop by American Airways along its Atlanta to Fort Worth route. Guided by the Birmingham Airport Authority, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
has a history of growth and innovation. Become a part of that growth by taking advantage of the wealth of business opportunities available at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

The Birmingham Airport reached a peak in 2000 with 3,067,777 passengers served and 81 daily departures non-stop to 28 cities and direct to 48 cities. The first half of 2001 was setting the stage for another record year when the tragic terrorist attacks occurred on September 11. The years since that terrible day in 2001 have been rebuilding ones and the airline and travel industry seem to have finally rebounded. In 2005, The Birmingham International Airport set a new record by serving nearly 3.2 million passengers. With the upward trend continuing in 2006, Birmingham International is once again making plans to expand and modernize the current terminal.

For more information, please visit http://www.bhamintlairport.com

Though Birmingham stands in the heart of the Deep South, it is not an Old South city. Founded in 1871 at the crossing of
two railroad lines, the city blossomed through the early 1900s as it rapidly became the South’s foremost industrial center. Iron and steel production were a natural for Birmingham; underground lay abundant key ingredients—coal, iron ore and limestone. As an industry town, Birmingham suffered greatly in the Depression.

After World War II the city grew moderately while retaining its strong Southern character. At the same time a profound movement toward diversification was afoot. The huffing and puffing of Birmingham’s legendary iron and steel mills was gradually replaced by a work force of medical and engineering professionals. Today, Birmingham enjoys a balance of manufacturing and service-oriented jobs in a thriving work force.

Birmingham, Alabama is classic southern charm and hospitality. This vibrant, beautiful city is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and serves up nationally recognized dining, shopping and entertainment, world-class attractions, events and other things to see and do. With affordable airfare and accommodations, this centrally-located southeastern city is easy to get to. Once you arrive you’ll wish your time here was longer.

For more information, please visit http://www.birminghamal.org

Bessemer is a city that is located in north central Alabama that lies in a corridor between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. This corridor has been recognized as the fourth best business development area in the nation. Bessemer is a city that is located centrally between these two cities. Bessemer enjoys a rich history, and a look at the city today shows a broad array of companies and businesses with many diverse backgrounds.

Bessemer is known as “The Marvel City” and its future looks bright. The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce works to advance the economic, civic, educational, and cultural development of the area and to improve the quality of life for the entire community. This makes the area a better place to live and also a better place to conduct business.

The Chamber works to increase job opportunities and encourage an orderly expansion and development of all the segments of the community. It also works to contribute to overall economic stability of the community as well as encourage and promote the nation’s private enterprise system of competitive marketing. Furthermore, the Chamber is involved in the public affairs and relations process in the community.

For more information, please visit http://www.bessemerchamber.com

Nestled along the peaceful shores of the Mississippi Sound, on the Gulf of Mexico, the City of Bayou La Batre offers coastal living at it’s finest, a community richly steeped in Southern tradition and heritage, Bayou La Batre offers an innovative industrial and business environment representative of the city’s commitment to excellence. Known as the Seafood Capitol of Alabama, Bayou La Batre is naturally a leader in commercial fishing as well as the seafood industry. Their seafood processors are among the most progressive and highly regarded seafood firms in the nation.

It is estimated that commercial seafood landing in Bayou La Batre have an economic impact on the state that approaches $80 million annually. Major fishing vessels in the port of Bayou La Batre fish Gulf waters from the Florida Keys to Mexico, to provide some of the best shrimp, oysters, crabs and finfish processed and sold in the world.

Bayou La Batre’s port location along the central Gulf Coast and it’s proximity to the major ship channels of the open Gulf create a natural import/export terminal, particularly for delivery to and from the Caribbean and Central and South America. Thus, shipbuilding is a major industry in the area. Oil supply boats, work boats, barges, shrimp boats, tugs, cruisers and casino vessels – designed and constructed in Bayou La Batre – handle worldwide cargo and transport. Innovative technology, research and design create an industrial environment on the fast track.

For more information, please visit http://www.gulfinfo.com

Baileyton’s roots go back to the Reconstruction days when some dirt farmers from Georgia and Tennessee, including Robert Bailey who was later to lend his name to the settlement, veered off the beaten path and homesteaded the virgin wilderness some five miles south of the Marshall County line and five miles east of Morgan County. On April 16, 1870, Robert Bailey bought forty acres of land for $1.50 per acre from the L&N Railroad.

Over the next two decades, axes wielded by Robert Bailey, Franklin Guthrie, Tom McClarty, Lynn Pope, Matt Blackman, John Walker, Gilbert C. Cordell, Matt Heaton, W. A. Albritton, W. H. Martin, Bob Worthy and others converted the forests into crude log cabins and rough frame houses. Cleared land on which cotton, corn, potatoes, oats, tobacco, peas, cattle and sheep were raised surrounded this land.

For more information, please visit http://www.baileyton-al.com

Known as the City of Friends, Ashland is proud of its small town atmosphere and offers many features found in much larger areas. Incorporated in 1871, the City of Ashland is located in east central Alabama just minutes from the recreation areas of Mt. Cheaha, Lake Harris and the Talladega National forest.

City of Ashland’s community spirit is seen at all walks of life: from excellent public schools to a newly remodeled library, as well as a community hospital, wellness center, nursing home and senior center. Ashland supports a very active county-wide Arts League and offers churches of many denominations. Local industries include Tru-Wood Cabinets, Koch Foods, and Wellborn Cabinets located just outside the city as well as the Honda plant located in nearby Lincoln.

For more information, please visit http://www.cityofashland.net

The City of Athens Alabama, located in the center of Northern Alabama 15 miles from the Tennessee State line in historic Limestone County. The population of Athens is approximately 19,000 people. While Athens has an agricultural history, in recent years Athens has attracted major industry that has diversified the population. Education is a source of pride in the community, with its award-winning public school system and Athens State University which has been in operation since the 1800′s.

With all the diversification Athens has to offer, no wonder Athens is truly a city of Southern Splendor. Their employment process for each position generally takes from four to seven week before a final selection is made. For each vacancy, they receive 30-60 applications; therefore, they are unable to respond to individual applications in writing or to answer numerous phone inquiries concerning the status of a position.

For more information, please visit http://www.athensal.us