Downtowns across the country are experiencing tremendous economic challenges from the impact of COVID-19. Our small business owners are grappling with uncontrollable factors—finding ways to pivot their model and continuing to provide goods and services in a time when downtown’s employment centers are closed and foot traffic is minimal.
Since mid-March the REV team has doubled down on our core values of community leads and daring problem solving by engaging, listening and deploying strategies to support and sustain the small business community. The vibrancy of downtown is incumbent on their wellbeing and longevity.
REV’s team has pulled together a whitepaper to record our observations, analysis and recommendations for increasing vibrancy downtown in this crisis. This report is intended to communicate qualitative and quantitative data along with business intelligence gathered from boots-on-the-ground conversations between REV team members and downtown stakeholders.
Our hope is this report will inform and guide the development of strategies to meet the urgent needs of our downtown business owners in an effort to minimize the damage we’re facing as a city.
REV’s CEO David Fleming and Director of Business Recruitment and Growth Taylor Clark Jacobson introduced this report to a group of downtown stakeholders via Zoom on Thursday, July 16. Watch the full announcement:
Questions about the report?
This research and analysis is just the beginning: It’s an important foundation from which to start. Set up time with our team to discuss our findings and recommendations plus how you can plug in.
Contact Us
Related News
-
Season 2 of Magic City Match is ready to help Black entrepreneurs grow
Filed Under: Business-Proving, Downtown Birmingham, Events, Filling Vacant Spaces, Front Page, Get Involved, Magic City Match, Potential-Proving, Small Business
Magic City Match is a program that transforms lives and opens doors for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. Led by REV Birmingham and powered by Prosper, this initiative aims to create opportunities for Black-owned businesses by matching them with brick-and-mortar spaces where they can thrive. After a successful pilot program in 2022, Magic City Match is back in action and ready to empower a new wave of entrepreneurs.
-
Unveiling the history of Woodlawn
Filed Under: Front Page, Historic Preservation, Small Business, Uncategorized, Woodlawn
One of the most legendary and storied neighborhoods of Birmingham is Woodlawn. It is a community, anchored by one of the great public high schools of Birmingham, that has produced many citizens who contributed to the life of our city and has had an impact beyond the neighborhood itself. In a short post like this true justice cannot be done to the rich heritage and legacy of Woodlawn. However, we hope that this narrative brings together many of the diverse threads that make up the fabric of the community’s historic arc in a concise piece.
-
Why your pup wants you to move to Downtown Birmingham
Filed Under: Downtown Birmingham, Family Friendly, Front Page, Why BHM
Woof, woof! I’ve been having an absolute blast visiting my sister in Downtown Birmingham. I can hardly wait to share all the details with you once you return from your vacation. In the meantime, I wanted to put paw to paper and tell you all about it, with the hope of convincing you that moving Downtown could be the most wonderful decision ever.