By Scott Buttram
In a study released by the Alabama Policy Institute, Trussville ranked as the 10th best city for business among the 50 largest cities in Alabama. Fairhope took the top spot, while Selma was rated the worst city in Alabama to do business. Trussville was also second in Jefferson County, trailing only Center Point, which finished in the ninth spot statewide.
The report ranked 50 cities based on economic vitality, business tax burden, community allure and transportation infrastructure.
Trussville’s best showing came in the category for economic vitality, where the city ranked second to Fairhope.
The report says, ‘The economic vitality of a city is important to businesses because factors such as job growth, population growth, and median per capita income reflect its ability to survive during an economic downturn
. Population growth indicates that an area has a solid consumer base that can attract and support commerce. Job creation or lack thereof has a clear impact on a city’s business climate, and income levels reveal a city’s ability to invest in its own business marketplace.”
The city also finished in the top 10 in the community allure category, placing eighth.
According to the report, “…factors that make up the Community Allure category count for a smaller percentage of the rankings than Business Tax Burden and Economic Vitality. Nevertheless, indicators such as the cost of living index, education performance, and crime rates all play a key role in any city’s business climate.”
Business tax burden was the category where Trussville drew its lowest ranking of 39th out of the 50 cities.
The report said, “The Business Tax Burden category employs two key tax components for each city: property tax rates and general sales tax. Property tax rates are expressed in millage (mills), which are equal to one-tenth of one cent. The average property tax rate in Alabama is 50.8 mills, with municipal rates ranging from 30 mills in Millbrook to 99 mills in Mountain Brook. General sales taxes in Alabama range from 0.5% to 5%, with 4% being the most common rate.”
Trussville ranked 14th in transportation infrastructure.
