Tuscaloosa County, in west Alabama, may be best known for the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team.
But with a diverse business climate, a growing manufacturing sector, a robust workforce development culture and ample recreational offerings, the county also is gaining a reputation for growth, innovation and industrial stability.
Kyle South says Tuscaloosa County’s business climate is strong. South is president and CEO of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, an organization that is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
“It’s healthy. Sentiment seems to be more positive in 2025 than in 2024 as I’ve gone around to meet with members, especially our investor level members, and those conversations have been much more positive this year than it seemed to be last year,” South says.
In early August, the organization listed several ribbon cuttings for new businesses. Ribbon cuttings earlier in the year included H&M Construction, which opened a new location in downtown Tuscaloosa in January.
Last November, beverage distributor Buffalo Rock launched a new sales franchise office in the city of Tuscaloosa. Meanwhile, Boostr Digital Displays opened a new warehouse and office in Coker last July and CB&S Bank held a grand opening of its downtown Tuscaloosa location the following month.
Major employers in Tuscaloosa County include the DCH Regional Medical Center, the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International assembly plant, the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education, the Tuscaloosa City School District, the Michelin/BF Goodrich tire manufacturing plant, the Tuscaloosa V.A. Medical Center as well as Phifer Inc. and SMP Automotive Systems Alabama.
The largest industrial employer in Tuscaloosa County is the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, with some 6,000 team members.
Over the years, the carmaker has invested about $7 billion in the region, including $1 billion to produce electric vehicles, build a battery plant in Bibb County and construct a logistics facility.
Now the Tuscaloosa plant will start production on the new GLC SUV in late 2027.
Higher education is key here. The University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College and Stillman College are contributing to workforce in the county by graduating students with degrees ranging from engineering and cybersecurity to business, health care and the skilled trades.
The University of Alabama also is further advancing technology development with the announced construction of a new High Performance Computing and Data Center that will hold the state’s fastest computing system and advance scientific discovery.
In addition, UA plans to build the Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence to foster learning and research in AI.
And the city of Tuscaloosa is the future home of The Saban Center, a facility that, once constructed, will provide hands-on learning experiences in STEM and the arts for students and teachers.
Shelton State Community College offers academic, health services and technical programs as well as skills-based training through its workforce development program. And Stillman College awards degrees in the arts and sciences, education and business.
Besides institutions of higher education and workforce development, leaders around Tuscaloosa County are spearheading new projects that enhance quality of life for their citizens.
In Tuscaloosa, the city’s Elevate Tuscaloosa initiative is funding scholarships, new city parks, park renovations, a new YMCA facility, summer learning programs and upgrades to a boat landing on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa County also is a destination for entertainment and recreation. It is home to Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium where visitors can watch the Alabama Crimson Tide football team play at home.
Other attractions in Tuscaloosa County include art galleries and museums, the annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts and the Tuscaloosa River Walk along the Black Warrior River.
Visitors also can go for a swim or take a boat ride on Lake Tuscaloosa or enjoy a concert at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.
Gail Allyn Short is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.
For more on Tuscaloosa County, see the links below:
This section appears in the September 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
