Pro-Business Climate
A state where companies thrive.
There are many reasons companies feel at home here. Our state’s pro-business climate offers many advantages to companies, making it a prime location for investment, relocation and expansion. Being centrally located in the heart of the fast-growing Southeastern United States, Alabama makes for a great place to land and grow.
No. 7
Site Selection
(Site Selectors Survey, 2025)
No. 1
Most Improved State for Business
(Area Development)
No. 3
Customized Workforce Training
(Business Facilities)
Roads
In the South, all roads lead to Alabama.
Supplies, materials, personnel and products make their way to and from Alabama every day—and with seamless connections by land, sea and air, industries are connected to the rest of the nation and the globe. With 6 interstates totaling 1,130 miles and 19 U.S. highways totaling 3,850 miles, Alabama has the roads to get you where you need to go.
Airports
The infrastructure you need to help your business take off.
Alabama doesn’t only offer plentiful airports to get people to and from destinations around the world; it’s also home to cargo airports that transport goods. With 6 major airports, 90 public airports, 6 commercial airlines, and 7 commuter airlines, the state offers the exact aviation infrastructure and support you need.
General Aviation Airport
Commuter Airport
Railroads
From Alabama to the world.
With over 3,000 miles of rail and 25 railroad companies, including five Class I railroad companies, Alabama delivers convenient and consistent transport access to surrounding markets.
CSX Transportation
Norfolk Southern
BNSF Railway Company
Kansas City Southern
Canadian National
Ports & Waterways
The ideal gateway to connect your business to the globe.
Thanks to a strategic location and well-connected ports, manufacturers and industries can seamlessly trade to and from Alabama. The Port of Mobile is conveniently situated along the Gulf Coast and serves as the ninth largest deepwater seaport in the U.S. The Port of Birmingham is located just 20 minutes away from five interstates—I-20, I-59, I-22, I-65, and I-459—and 25 minutes away from the BHM airport.
Port / Inland Dock
Advantages
An easy place to land.
Inventory Tax Status
Unlike some other states, Alabama does not levy a property tax on inventory of goods, wares and merchandise offered for sale.
Right-to-Work Status
Alabama is a Right-to-Work state, meaning employment contracts that require workers to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment is prohibited.
Low Income Tax
Alabama’s corporate income tax is 6.5% with 100% federal income tax deduction allowed. This results in a 4.9% net effective rate.
Ease of Permitting
Alabama offers one-stop environmental permitting through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Permit Coordination and Development Center. ADEM administers all major federal environment laws. They also develop and provide for a unified environmental regulatory and permit system.
Trade & Opportunity Zones
Investing in our home and the world.
Foreign Trade Zones
Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) are designated locations across the United States in or near a U.S. Customs Port of Entry where foreign and domestic merchandise is in international commerce and outside of U.S. Customs territory. As a result, activated businesses in an FTZ can reduce or eliminate duty on imports and take advantage of other benefits, encouraging foreign commerce within the United States.
Alabama is home to five Foreign-Trade Zones and multiple subzones. Our primary sites are in Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, and we offer broader geographic reach through subzones.
Opportunity Zones
Alabama’s many Opportunity Zones foster private-sector investments in low-income rural and urban areas.
Get Started
What are you waiting for?
Our Recruitment and Retention office is ready to help you navigate the process of expanding or starting your business in our state—from start to finish.
Why Alabama?
You can make it here in Alabama.
Alabama is a state of makers, builders and doers. So, whatever you make or build, you can do it in Alabama. We’re a launching point for aerospace, aviation and defense. A leader in automotive production. A home for startups, technology and research breakthroughs. And drawing on our manufacturing roots, we’re helping to usher in the industrial evolution in America.
Quality of Life
There’s more to life in Alabama than just work. Here, you’ll find a low cost of living with a high-value life. Living in Alabama means stepping into a world of new, daily adventures. From beaches and national forests to world-class universities and legendary sports, living here is as sweet as it gets.
Business Climate
Alabama is built for business. Centrally located in the fast-growing American South, our state combines a competitive environment with a pro-business mindset. Whether you’re investing, launching, relocating or expanding, you will find the momentum you need to thrive.
Tax Incentives & Grants
Alabama’s business approach offers global companies incentives, tax benefits, a skilled workforce, ideal site locations and excellent real estate options. Our state’s low taxes, affordable utilities and reasonable cost of living help you boost profits and ensure your dollars go further.
Workforce
Alabama’s workforce is a major attraction for businesses worldwide. AIDT, our state’s nation-leading workforce development agency, has powered giants like Mercedes-Benz and Airbus. By pairing workforce training with strong university pipelines, we deliver a skilled workforce ready for every industry.
Site Search
Your next big move starts on Southern ground. With Alabama’s diverse inventory of prepared sites and available quality buildings, our state is ready to welcome your next project. Whatever you require, we have the space and infrastructure to get you operational—fast.
Contact a Project Manager
Our Business Development Division seeks corporate investors, promotes global expansion for local companies and collaborates with stakeholders to accelerate statewide growth. Connect with a project manager today to see how your new or expanding company could thrive in Alabama.