A Compelling Story of Growth and Potential

With the announcement of several large developments, Alabama’s Gulf Coast has been brought forth upon the national stage. It is in this environment that Baldwin County, with Mobile to the west and Pensacola to the east, finds itself prepared to play an increasing role in regional growth.

In 2010, Site Selection magazine selected the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance as a Top Group of 2010.

In 2011, Gulf Shores was selected as one of the "Top Ten Pro Beach Business Communities" by Southern Business and Development Magazine.

In 2011, Baldwin County was designated one of the "Top Ten Best Automotive Assembly Plant Sites in the Southern Auto Corridor" by Southern Business and Development Magazine.

In 2009, there are over 16,000 room in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach’s inventory, which accounts for 40,000+ jobs.

Ryla Inc. announced in April 2009 their new regional headquarters would be in Mobile County, creating more than 1,200 new jobs

Approximately 4.6 million people visited Baldwin County in 2009 spending $2.3 billion

ThyssenKrupp AG has built a $4.65 billion steel mill in Mobile County with 2,700 employees and an estimated 5,500 indirect jobs in the region

APM Terminals North America has completed the first phase of the expansion of the Mobile Container Terminal, a $300 million intermodal facility, set to employ 1,700. This phase has increased the port’s container capacity from 75,000 TEU's to 300,000 TEU's per year. The second phase will bring this to 800,000 TEU's per year

Retirement Systems of Alabama opened the RSA Tower, a 35 story building, with over 650,000 square feet of Class “A” office space, a $200 million investment

In 2008, Segers Aerospace made a $7 million investment to open a plant that will employ 100 workers.

In just these few events, over 20,000 new jobs have or are planned to come into the region and that is just part of the story. Forbes’ listed the city of Mobile as having the fastest rate of growth of any metropolitan area in the country, 34% between 2007 and 2012. The region is experiencing growth unlike anything seen since the build-up during World War Two to construct the “arsenal of democracy.” Baldwin County's population grew almost 30% since 2000 according to the 2010 Census.

Mobile and Baldwin County are home to a convergence of several factors: a strong transportation infrastructure, a growing population, quality educational institutions and a location providing superior quality of life. With interstates, rail, airports, in-land waterways and deep water ports, all possible modes of transportation are represented. Furthermore, with a regional population of 895,000 consisting of 412,000 in Mobile County, 180,000 in Baldwin County and 303,000 in Escambia County, Florida, location of Pensacola, a large pool of population exists within easy reach. Couple these assets with the scenic beauty of Alabama’s beaches and the recreation industry, great potential exists for the future growth and development of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.