205 Elev8

07/09/2026

Hey, that's what's up in the 205!! CONGRATS!!!!

Kansas City Royals' Tyler Tolbert, a former Hewitt-Trussville and UAB star, became the third player to record hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances, and his bat used to tie the MLB record is on its way to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

🔗 in the comments

07/01/2026

America has a manufacturing problem, and the number is hard to ignore.

A Deloitte and Manufacturing Institute study says the U.S. will need to fill 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade. The catch? Nearly 1.9 million of those roles could go unfilled — not because the jobs are bad, but because too many people still picture manufacturing as dirty, dangerous, and dead-end.

The reality in 2026: modern manufacturing floors run on robotics, AI, and advanced engineering. The average manufacturing salary is $106,691 a year, including benefits and tuition reimbursement. That is not a fallback career. That is a foundation.

For Birmingham and Jefferson County — a region with deep industrial roots and a growing workforce development conversation — this is not just a national headline. It is a local opportunity question.

What do you think? Is manufacturing still on the radar for young people in the 205?

06/26/2026

If you are a small business owner in the Birmingham area, pay attention to what Irondale, Alabama is doing.

Today's Lunch and Learn covered live stream commerce, digital marketing, AI tools for daily operations, and omni-channel strategy. Taught by real operators. Not generic speakers. People who have actually built something.

On top of that, every attendee walked away with access to free Google Career Certificates across digital marketing, AI, data analytics, project management, and more.

The city invested in its small business owners today. That is Mayor Stewart's vision in action.

If you missed this one, make sure you catch the next one. You cannot afford to sit these out.

06/25/2026

U.S. Steel Injects $475 Million into Fairfield Operations: What It Means for Local Jobs

Fairfield is getting a massive economic boost. On June 24, 2026, U.S. Steel announced a $475 million investment to install a state-of-the-art Quench and Tempering (Q&T) line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations plant — a west Jefferson County facility that manufactures seamless tubular products from raw steel billets used in the energy sector [1] [3].

This move is designed to expand the plant's capacity to produce heat-treated tubular products, primarily to meet the growing demands of the oil and gas industry in basins like the Permian and Eagle Ford.

Check out what skills you need to get hired below! 👇

06/25/2026

What's going on this weekend in the 205?

Whether you're trying to eat good, take the kids somewhere fun, catch some live music, or just get out of the house and into your community — Birmingham and Jefferson County are showing OUT this weekend.

Here is your weekend line-up:

06/25/2026

Major news for the 205, specifically out in Fairfield!

U.S. Steel just announced they are pumping a massive $475 MILLION into their Fairfield Tubular Operations plant.

They’re building a new "Quench and Tempering" line to meet growing demand in the oil and gas industry, and they’re also adding a brand-new virtual reality training center for employees.

But what does this mean for YOU? JOBS.

U.S. Steel is actively hiring for positions like Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, Electrical/Mechanical Technicians, and Quality Assurance roles. If you have experience in hydraulics, pneumatics, CNC repair, or heavy equipment, this is your time to shine.

Check out the full breakdown of the investment and what skills you need to get hired below! 👇

Have you or someone you know worked at the Fairfield plant? Drop a ⚙️ in the comments!

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

Birmingham, Juneteenth is not just on the calendar this year; it is on 16th Street, 5th Avenue, and all through the Civil Rights District.

On Friday, June 19, BCRI’s Juneteenth Jubilee brings free access to BCRI, 16th Street Baptist Church tours, AG Gaston Motel Gallery access, National Park Service tours, and a district block party. That is history, community, and a little line dancing in one afternoon. If you go, take the kids, take your questions, and take a minute to remember why this city’s story still teaches the country.
Source: BCRI.

06/18/2026

The Check Just Got Bigger: Rep. Sewell Adds $6.9M to Federal Funding Package for the 205!

If you thought $5 million was a big deal, try $12 million.

Just days after announcing $5 million in federal community project funding for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) is back with "more good news." Today, Sewell announced she has secured an additional $6,983,968 for nine more local projects.

That brings the total federal investment secured by Sewell this week to $12,070,106 [1].

While yesterday's announcement focused heavily on physical infrastructure—like fire stations and senior centers—today’s $6.9 million package is laser-focused on healthcare, public safety, and law enforcement technology [1].

"Whether it's helping a rural hospital keep its doors open, ensuring an ambulance is available when someone faces an emergency, equipping law enforcement with the tools they need to keep communities safe, or investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals, these projects address some of the most pressing needs," Sewell said [1].

Over $2.2 Million Headed to Jefferson County
Out of the $6.9 million announced today, Jefferson County is taking home a massive $2.26 million slice. Here is exactly where that money is going:

Source:
https://sewell.house.gov/2026/6/rep-sewell-secures-additional-6-9-million-for-community-projects-across-alabama-s-7th-congressional-district-in-fy27-funding-bills?fbclid=IwY2xjawSg66ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyd0dnV2ZBWVFnMG5zeHRVc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo1XnpLyHba6mYr5_TOFR5oIAf0vDpwoxehLXZ8L1qMykjR5eIbX_w8olmnX_aem_fR4ZwJicfhRiEEfCHj70tg