Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Tuscaloosa is a city in west central Alabama, on the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa County. The seat of Tuscaloosa County{{GR|6}}, it is the fifth-largest city in the state with a population of 79,294 (2003 U.S. Census Bureau Estimate).

Economy

Tuscaloosa boasts a highly diversied economy. Approximately twenty-seven percent of the workplace is employed by government, which includes major health care and education related employment; twenty-two percent in retail and wholesale trade; sixteen percent in manufacturing; nineteen percent in services; and the balance of the workforce spread among construction, transportation, finance, insurance, real estate and public services. As a consequence of its diverse econonmy, Tuscaloosa has a very low rate of unemployment, one of the lowest in Alabama at around 3%.

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The city's industrial base includes Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Manufacturing (a division of Michelin), JVC America http://www.jvcdiscusa.com/, Phifer Wire Products, Gulf States Paper Corporation, and the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., assembly plant http://www.mbusi.com/, which began assembling the Mercedes-Benz M-Class in 1997 and will begin assembling the R-Class Grand Sport Tourer, and its associated supplier plants.

Related Topics:
Michelin - JVC America - Mercedes-Benz - M-Class - 1997 - R-Class - Grand Sport Tourer

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Healthcare and education serve as the cornerstone of Tuscaloosa's service sector, which includes the University of Alabama, DCH Regional Medical Center, Bryce State Mental Hospital, Camp Partlow State Development Center, and the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center.

Related Topics:
University of Alabama - Bryce State Mental Hospital - VA

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The city is home to the region's two largest malls, University Mall and McFarland Mall, as a well as large array of retail outlets and a 16-screen movie theater.

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Transportation

Tuscaloosa lies at the intersection of three federal highways (US 11, US 43, and US 82) and Interstate 20/59. Additionally, barge traffic routinely transport goods along the Black Warrior River from Birmingham and Tuscaloosa to the Alabama State Docks at Mobile.

Related Topics:
Federal highways - US 11 - US 43 - US 82 - Interstate 20 - 59 - Birmingham - Mobile

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Amtrak's Crescent train connects Tuscaloosa with the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. The Amtrak station is situated at 2105 Greensboro Avenue.

Related Topics:
Amtrak - Crescent train - New York - Philadelphia - Baltimore - Washington - Charlotte - Atlanta - Birmingham - New Orleans

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