City Grill

Jay Reed
President
Associated Builders & Contractors, Alabama Chapter

Downtown Birmingham is abuzz with economic development and infrastructure improvements, says Reed, noting that nearly all entrances to the city’s urban center are experiencing some kind of improvements from the Alabama DOT. Longer term, Reed sees the 2017 election of Mayor Randall Woodfin as a positive for downtown development. Right now, though, area contractors are focused on the immigration reform debate, and specifically the need to ensure the continued viability of the guest worker program.

Firm in Focus

Alabama Academy of Craft Training
3500 6th Ave. S, Birmingham, Ala.
Director: Mark McCord
Founded: 2016
History: Founded with help from Alabama ABC, the academy is a partnership between industry and the state and is focused on training high-school students for construction careers.