ABOUT

Bessemer Industrial Development Board

The Bessemer Industrial Development Board (IDB) is a non-profit industrial development agency working as a primary point of contact for existing, emerging and expanding businesses and industries. The mission of the organization is to attract, retain and assist businesses involved in the light industrial, light manufacturing and wholesale/transportation industries.

The IDB provides or is involved in other organizations and activities that assist in the overall economic development of the City of Bessemer; those organizations and activities include the Bessemer Business Incubation System, City of Bessemer Community and Economic Development Office, tax abatement packages, custom property development, etc.

The IDB has developed 13 industrial parks and consulted in the development of over 200 industrial properties. Nearly all the properties developed by the IDB have been sold to individual or commercial concerns.

Advantages

The City of Bessemer offers many positives to existing, expanding and relocating businesses. Bessemer offers land, existing facilities, post-secondary education and an ample, highly capable workforce; all these things enhance a business’ chance of being successful.

Benefits Include:

Bessemer Business Incubation System
Interstate Convergence (I-459, I-20, Highway 150)
Direct Railway Access to the Port of Mobile
Full County Services facility (Jefferson County Courthouse)
UAB Medical West Hospital
Lawson State Technical College (Bessemer Campus) located within the city limits.
Three (3) four year universities and colleges within 15 miles (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Miles College and Samford University).
The University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College are approximately 35 miles south of Bessemer.
Jefferson State Community College is located approximately 16 miles from Bessemer.

Target Clusters

Light Manufacturing

Bessemer is well-positioned to support light manufacturing companies specializing in fabricated metals, automotive components, and industrial equipment. With access to a skilled workforce and modern industrial facilities, manufacturers can efficiently produce and distribute goods while benefiting from the city’s transportation infrastructure.

Wholesale & Distribution

Located along major transportation corridors, Bessemer serves as an ideal hub for wholesale and distribution businesses. Companies in this sector can leverage access to interstates, rail networks, and nearby air freight options, ensuring efficient movement of goods regionally and nationally.

Transportation Businesses

Bessemer’s connectivity to major highways, rail systems, and proximity to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport make it a prime location for transportation and logistics companies. Businesses in freight handling, warehousing, and supply chain management can capitalize on the city’s growing logistics infrastructure and strategic market access.