skip to main content
UA Center for Economic Development
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Alabama Birding Trails
    • Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail
    • Alabama Communities of Excellence
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Planning and Community Development
    • Tourism Development
    • Your Town Alabama
  • Projects
    • Arts, Culture and Heritage Project
    • Flawless Delivery
    • I-22 Corridor Strategic Development
    • Mural >
      • Submit a Mural
  • Partners
  • More...
    • Tool Kits
  • Home
  • Programs
    • Alabama Birding Trails
    • Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail
    • Alabama Communities of Excellence
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Planning and Community Development
    • Tourism Development
    • Your Town Alabama
  • Projects
    • Arts, Culture and Heritage Project
    • Flawless Delivery
    • I-22 Corridor Strategic Development
    • Mural >
      • Submit a Mural
  • Partners
  • More...
    • Tool Kits

The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development

The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) was founded and approved by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System in 1989 as an economic outreach unit. For thirty-six years the center has utilized customized project teams to successfully provide technical assistance to rural elected officials, regional, state and federal agencies to grow the state economy. We take an asset-based planning approach to help municipalities and organizations respond to challenges and capitalize on economic development opportunities.


Picture

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation in Alabama generates $6.6 billion and
accounts for 65,409 jobs,
​3% of all employees in
​the state


​Source: Recreationroundtable.org
​2023 Alabama Data
Learn More
Picture

Tourism Development

In 2024, 29 million tourists to Alabama spent $23.9 billion for food, accommodations, travel, shopping and incidentals, according to the Alabama Department of Tourism
​
Source: Alabama Tourism Department Economic Impact Report 2024
Learn More
Picture

​​Rural Workforce Development

To date, Flawless Hospitality Training has certified 1094 students covering 50 counties, representing 140 employers in Alabama
Source: https://flawlessal.com/
Learn More

Click on interactive map to view projects. 

Picture

LATEST NEWS

MORE NEWS
Picture
Photo Credits to Tuscaloosa News.
Modern ecotourism could unlock new Black Belt boom 
​August 20, 2024


Picture
Image courtesy of Alabama News Center.
5 Alabama companies claim Trade Excellence Awards for export success
May 7, 2024 

Follow us on Social Media


    Sign up for Newsletters

    Optional
Submit
ABOUT

ALABAMA BIRDING TRAILS
​

ALABAMA COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE

ALABAMA INNOVATION ENGINE

​
AMERICORPS VISTA

ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
​
​BOOKS FOR THE BLACK BELT

​CONTACT ​​

LANDMARK

LIVING LEGENDS

OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

STAFF

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

TOOL KITS

​
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

YOUR TOWN ALABAMA





The University of Alabama 
Center for Economic Development -
Box 870138
Tuscaloosa, AL  35487
Phone - 205.348.7058
Fax - 205.348.6974
email - [email protected]
University of Alabama logo - white
University of Alabama System logo - white
 The University of Alabama 254 Rose Administration Box 870114 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0114 (205) 348-4890 © Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved