Economic Development

The Existing Business Team, which focuses on business retention and expansion, is a partnership of Economic Development Professionals in the Birmingham region. These organizations work closely with the Chamber and partner with utilities, government offices, and non-profit organizations to retain and expand small businesses.


Chaired by Deborah McGill, executive director of the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber's Existing Business Team is one of the most sophisticated business retention and expansion programs in the southeastern United States thanks to our partners: AT&T Alabama, Alabama Gas Corporation, Birmingham Water Works Board, The City of Birmingham, Shelby County, Jefferson County, The Metropolitan Development Board, and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on specific aspects of the Existing Business Team, visit the following links:

To arrange a visit from the Existing Business Team, please contact the Chamber's Manager of Existing Business Retention Patricia Mattison at (205) 241-8114.

EBT Mission

Our mission is to retain and expand small businesses in the Birmingham region. Our team of economic development experts is trained to visit with business owners to identify thematic issues across industries, inform business owners of business development opportunities and to help identify solutions for business challenges. We believe that 60,000+ existing businesses are a significant portion of our region's economic portfolio. Simply put, EBT manages our portion of that portfolio by identifying companies that may have the greatest influence on our tax base, number of jobs and overall economic impact.

EBT Visits

EBT members regularly visit with businesses to discuss issues, help find solutions, and to get a feel for the business climate in our region. The EBT generates an annual report which influences public policy decisions. For more information, or to arrange a visit from the EBT, please contact Patricia Mattison, Manager of Existing Business Retention at (205) 241-8114.