Birmingham is home to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. From legacy businesses operating in our city for over a century to young professionals just starting out, we’re proud to support residents as they pursue their dreams. Keeping our small businesses in Birmingham means investing in accelerator programs that support entrepreneurs along the way, simplifying city permitting processes to make it easier for shops to get and stay open, and supporting pay equity so everyone has the chance they need. 

Policy Priorities

Protecting legacy businesses that have anchored our communities for generations. 

Birmingham’s legacy businesses are the lifeblood of neighborhoods and keepers of our city’s history. Our administration recognizes the importance of preserving these longstanding institutions, which have weathered economic shifts and shaped our cultural identity. For small and legacy businesses that are committed to maintaining culinary, art, and/or craft heritages that braid the history and progression of Birmingham, our incubator programs recognize their unique value by ensuring these businesses continue to thrive as our metropolitan regional economy continues to grow.  

Moving our paperwork processes online, so business owners no longer need to leave work to pull their permits and renew their licenses.

Birmingham’s small business owners shouldn’t have to take time off of work to visit City Hall to renew their business licenses or pull construction permits. That’s why we’re finalizing the Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits’ transition to our new Online Permitting Center. This system will streamline applications, approvals, and renewals, reducing wait times and improving transparency for business owners. By removing administrative barriers, we’re making it easier for entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses and creating jobs. 

Expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs leading small and minority-owned businesses.  

Access to nondilutive capital is one of the biggest hurdles for Birmingham’s small business community, especially for minority entrepreneurs who have historically faced systemic barriers to growth. Through partnerships with local lenders and philanthropic organizations, Mayor Woodfin’s administration has invested $8 million in grants and zero-interest emergency loans to support over 400 businesses. Building on the success of BOLD, RISE, and Bham Strong, we’ll expand targeted loan programs, increase financial literacy training, and develop a small business investment fund that prioritizes minority- and women-owned enterprises, helping them scale and compete in today’s economy.

Randall’s Record

• Invested $8 million into 400+ local businesses through our small business grant programs. 
• Partnered with Brookings to launch the Bham Strong emergency loan fund, which provided $2.4 million in bridge capital so small businesses could retain workers during the pandemic.