Coast Guard Buys Birmingham Campus, Bringing 1000 Jobs

0:00From the streets of Birmingham to the world, this is Birmingham News today. Birmingham City leaders have exciting news. The U.S. Coast Guard wants to buy the former Birmingham Southern College campus and turn it into a major training center. This deal promises 1,000 new jobs right on site and a multi-million dollar shot in the arm for the local economy. The campus comes ready made with lodging, dining halls, medical facilities, and classrooms, which match exactly what the Coast Guard needs for its recruits. Officials say the switchover can happen fast, keeping the whole property intact. Mayor Randall Woodfinn pointed out that these 1,000 jobs are at least three times more than the campus had before, marking real growth for the area. Counselor Sonja Smith, who went to Birmingham Southern and represents the district, feels a huge sense of relief and pride. The city stepped up earlier with a 5 million dollar loan to the college before it shut down. Now leaders expect the sale to clear those debts and get that money back for Birmingham.

1:04Meanwhile, this fits right into the city's push for economic wins, bringing new life to the neighborhood and comfort to folks who worried about the empty campus. Support for this day in an episode comes from our sponsor. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone, lay back and listen, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com.