Business group: Birmingham got $1.1 billion in capital investment in 2015

It has become conventional wisdom to take note of Birmingham’s economic resurgence of late. The ongoing construction, growing payrolls, and general sense that there’s more to do all seem to testify, providing their own wordless evidence.

The Birmingham Business Alliance added a more concrete contribution to the chorus on Monday, announcing the findings of a new report saying the Magic City has taken nearly $1.1 billion in new capital investment in 2015.

According the report, Birmingham added 3,509 current or announced jobs to boot.

The BBA, a consortium of Birmingham industry interests, also trumpeted several new developments related to business and job growth, such as a new $34 million Publix distribution center that will add 200 jobs; a $45 million renovation of the Empire Building which will yield a new Empire Hotel; a new $100 million Yorozu Corp. metal stamping facility in Jasper set to create 300 jobs; and a $530 million, 354-job commitment from auto supplier Kamtek to grow their operations in Birmingham.

Ninety companies announced jobs overall, according to the report.

The BBA will release its full report at the 2016 Economic Growth Summit at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham on May 12.

“This was a milestone year in terms of economic development and investment in the continued growth of our region,” said the group’s 2016 chairman, University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray Watts in a prepared statement.