Our location in the Southeast, in the center of a triangle made up of Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham, makes us convenient to one of the fasting growing areas of the country.  We call it the Growth Triangle.  You'll call it "outstanding."

The Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area has a total civilian labor force of 68,346, which supports 270 manufacturing and distribution operations. The State of Alabama Department of Industrial Relations reported the October 2005 unemployment rate at 5.0% percent, which translates into 3,428 people seeking employment. Total non-agricultural employment is 54,700 with 27 percent of these individuals employed in the construction, mining, and manufacturing sectors. The area has a strong manufacturing heritage and supports an above average participation rate. Additionally, many of our local citizens are employed in jobs that do not utilize their skills and are looking for opportunities to put their high tech talents to use.

Current calculations show a labor market of 344,540 (Woods and Poole Economics, 1999). The labor market for the Florence MA extends to eight counties in three states: Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin, Lawrence, and Limestone Counties in Alabama; Tishomingo County in Mississippi; and, Lawrence and Wayne Counties in Tennessee.

Manufacturing and related training is provided in various ways, all of which are designed to meet the individual needs of the client. The State sponsors the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) program which designs and implements a client approved training curriculum at no cost to the new or expanding company. The training program can be operated on-site or at a company approved alternate facility. The AIDT program provides state-of-the-art services, including SPC and ISO 9000 certification workshops for the manufacturing client.

Locally, the University of North Alabama and Northwest-Shoals Community College are available to provide specialized training for persons whose skills may require upgrading. Both institutions have a proven track record in meeting the training needs of the manufacturing community.

The City of Florence can offer assistance to new and expanding businesses either directly or through a variety of organizations.  We have aggressively sought new and expanding manufacturing investments over the past several years using a variety of incentives.  The most advantageous incentive is the investment the community makes in its people and its infrastructure.  Municipal services are well maintained with excess capacity to meet current and future demands.  We are committed to the belief that companies, first and foremost, look for healthy communities that can provide the support necessary to become and remain profitable.

Sources of Information Related to Business:

Florence Main Street, Inc. is a  nonprofit program which develops and implements creative strategies to insure a successful downtown area.  The Main Street Committees generate and/or support a variety of events, festivals, tours and meetings that are beneficial to the downtown area.  These Committees and the staff also advise individual businesses, both start-ups and established, on ways to improve their properties and their operations.

Florence Main Street, Inc.
301 N. Pine Street
Florence, AL  35630

www.florencemainstreet.org

The Shoals Economic Development Authority provides economic development services for the City of Florence as well as the entire Shoals Area of Northwest Alabama.  General and detailed business development information is available as well as project financing alternatives and build/lease options.  Fully developed industrial and business parks located in Florence and the area provided ready to build sites for every need. 

Shoals Economic Development Authority
PO Box 580
500 North Court Street
Florence, AL  35631

256/764-0351
256/764-3850 Fax 

Small Business Development Center 
University of North Alabama 
Box 5248 
Florence, AL 35632-0001
(256) 765-4629 
(256) 765-4813 Fax

The Small Business Development Center will put your small business on the right track for success.  Web-Site

SCORE Service Corps of Retired Executives 
C/O Shoals Chamber of Commerce 

SCORE's experienced volunteers can expertly tell you how to manage time, resources, paperwork and employees of your new business. 

Shoals Chamber of Commerce 
P. O. Box 1331 
Florence, AL 35631-1331 
(256) 764-4661 
(256) 766-9017 Fax 

The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center offers space, shared equipment, secretarial and clerical support, on-site consulting, and other shared services such as mailing and shipping, library, and conference room. Web-Site