The City of Birmingham has distributed more than $1.2 million through its BOLD program—Building Opportunities for Lasting Development—to twelve local organizations focused on driving economic progress. The initiative supports evidence-based projects addressing community challenges and fostering inclusive growth. n nMayor Randall L. Woodfin highlighted the role of local organizations and entrepreneurs in shaping Birmingham’s future, calling the funding a direct investment in the city’s core. n nGrants were awarded across five focus areas: supporting small businesses with less than $400,000 in annual revenue; workforce development programs tied to employer needs; removing systemic barriers such as access to healthcare, childcare, and transportation; creative placemaking to revitalize neighborhoods; and advancing high-growth sectors like clean energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing. n nRecipients include the Alabama Center for Employee Ownership ($93,055) to help small businesses and promote worker wealth; Be Kind Birmingham ($71,450) to expand a mobile pop-up store delivering essentials and mental health services; Breakthrough Birmingham ($110,000) to mentor early-career teachers; Community on the Rise ($75,740) to support women overcoming homelessness through job training and retail opportunities; and CREED Foundation ($94,402.50) to deliver a 16-week business development program for underserved entrepreneurs. n nAdditional awardees include Forge Forward ($142,502.40) for small business accelerator programs; Hope Inspired Ministries ($115,008) offering life coaching and job certifications; HUB Worldwide ($73,887.62) supplying medical equipment to clinics; Measured Access ($121,000) launching an innovation summit and investor training; Flourish Alabama ($139,000) revitalizing Ensley through arts and design; The Pulse Finders, LLC ($83,240) training residents in emergency response; and United Ability ($108,000) preparing youth with disabilities for manufacturing careers. n nMost recipients operate at the neighborhood level, aligning with BOLD’s mission to create widespread economic opportunity across all 99 of Birmingham’s neighborhoods. n nCoreata Houser, interim director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, described BOLD as a foundational strategy rather than just a grant program. Now in its eighth year, it continues to empower community partners to improve residents’ lives and stimulate economic vitality. n— news from City of Birmingham, Alabama (.gov)
— News Original —nThe City of Birmingham awards $1.2 million to organizations to facilitate economic development through BOLD programnThe City of Birmingham has awarded over $1.2 million to twelve local organizations to fund innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing Birmingham’s economic landscape. The BOLD program—Building Opportunities for Lasting Development—offers financial support to organizations and agencies implementing creative, evidence-based solutions to address a range of community challenges. n n“It’s truly inspiring to see our local organizations and small businesses driving growth and creating opportunity across Birmingham,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “By dedicating resources to these committed partners, we are investing directly into the heartbeat of our community, and ensuring a stronger, more prosperous future for every resident. n nFunding was allocated across five categories: n nSmall businesses: provide resources to Birmingham entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been in operation in Birmingham for over two years, generating revenue of less than $400,000, to sustain or scale their businesses. n nWorkforce development: implement a strategy for Birmingham residents to access good jobs through training, education, and job-readiness interventions that are directly connected to employer demand, with a focus on dismantling barriers that limit labor force participation. n nEliminating barriers: promote economic prosperity within the City of Birmingham (e.g., access to training, scholarships, transportation, healthcare, childcare, food access, housing, etc.) n nCreative placemaking: advance economic resilience, mobility, and inclusive growth in Birmingham’s neighborhoods n nHigh-Growth Industries: use data-driven and innovative approaches to invest in Birmingham’s high-growth, high-demand industries (e.g., clean energy, construction, medical, technology, advanced manufacturing, etc.) n nThe majority of awardees are neighborhood-based or focused. These projects collectively align with all BOLD objectives, showcasing a strong commitment to community development n nHere are each of the organizations’ plans for moving forward: n nThe Alabama Center for Employee Ownership will support small businesses in Birmingham, preserve quality jobs, and eliminate barriers to retirement for entrepreneurs, fostering wealth generation for workers. $93,055 n nBe Kind Birmingham will expand its mobile pop-up store to underserved communities in Birmingham by removing transportation barriers and partnering with libraries and local organizations to deliver essential resources. This effort will provide individuals with basic necessities, clothing, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and access to mental health services, promoting self-sufficiency and community empowerment. $71,450 n nBreakthrough Birmingham will provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to first and second-year teachers. The program aims to enhance their knowledge and skills in culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching, classroom management, time management, effective teaching strategies, and maintaining work/life balance. $110,000 n nCommunity on the Rise will empower women survivors who have experienced homelessness, provide jobs, launch a Rent-to HOME pathway, and place recycled plastic products, created by the survivors, in ten retail stores. $75,740 n nCREED Foundation will expand support for historically underserved and small business owners through PACE, a 16-week business development curriculum. PACE closes critical gaps in financial literacy, credit readiness, legal compliance, and operational capacity through group instruction and one-on-one mentorship. $94,402.50 n nForge Forward will conduct two 12-week accelerator programs using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to help established small business owners achieve early-stage profitability through operational and strategic growth. $142.502.40 n nHope Inspired Ministries will empower unemployed and underemployed Birmingham residents with a holistic package of support, including life coaching, case management, transportation, assistance with obtaining a valid ID, and counseling. Participants will also earn industry-recognized credentials and complete internships with local employers. $115,008 n nHUB Worldwide will supply essential medical supplies and equipment to support five ARMS clinic locations and their mobile unit, serving uninsured and underinsured patients in priority neighborhoods. The initiative also includes quarterly trauma training for community members and clinic staff to enhance emergency response capacity in high-need areas. $73,887.62 n nMeasured Access will launch Capital Innovation to eliminate barriers, enhance workforce development, and support small businesses. Its core programming includes angel investor training, entrepreneurship development for students and professionals, and a community-wide innovation summit. $121,000 n nFlourish Alabama will continue to transform Ensley into a vibrant arts district through public art, cultural programming, and community design. This includes training students, providing paid fellowships, and earning certifications. Flourish will reactivate vacant storefronts, support small businesses, and create jobs, while engaging community members through events and producing a feature-length documentary. $139,000 n nThe Pulse Finders, LLC will support a community-centered emergency response training program aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates, reducing health disparities, and creating workforce development pathways. They will train individuals in Hands-Only CPR, Basic Life Support, Heartsaver CPR/AED, Opioid Overdose Response, and Stop the Bleed techniques. The initiative will also certify CPR instructors and engage volunteers. $83,240 n nUnited Ability will support the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Initiative, which focuses on fostering employer partnerships in manufacturing. The program has established pre-apprentice worksites that meet National Apprenticeship Standards, providing youth with disabilities with competitive and marketable skills. $108,000 n n“The BOLD funding program is more than just a grant—it’s a foundational investment strategy,” said Coreata Houser, interim director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “Now entering its eighth year, BOLD serves as the engine that empowers our community partners. They are the ones elevating the daily lives of our residents, creating the vibrant environment necessary to spark widespread economic opportunity in every one of Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods.”