Tuscaloosa, West Alabama Join Statewide Fuel Alabama Program to Attract and Retain Talent
March 24, 2025
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama is proud to announce that Tuscaloosa County and the broader West Alabama region have once again been selected as a host community for the 2025 Fuel Alabama (FuelAL) program. Led by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) in collaboration with Innovate Alabama, FuelAL is a statewide initiative aimed at attracting and retaining top student talent.
Locally branded as Fuel Alabama: Tuscaloosa, the program brings together community partners—including the Chamber, the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA), Visit Tuscaloosa, and other organizations—to provide college interns with professional development opportunities, mentorship, networking, and immersive community experiences. Designed to showcase the advantages of living and working in West Alabama, the program highlights the region’s dynamic economy, quality of life, and pathways for long-term success.
"We know that young professionals are drawn to communities that offer not only exciting job opportunities but also a high quality of life," said Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa. "Through FuelAL: Tuscaloosa, we’re giving students a comprehensive look at why Tuscaloosa County isn’t just a great place for college, it’s a great place to build their future post-graduation."
Fuel Alabama: Tuscaloosa is a key component of a statewide effort to strengthen Alabama’s workforce pipeline. While two-thirds of in-state students remain in Alabama one year after graduation, only 20% of out-of-state students do the same. The program is designed to address this challenge by fostering deeper connections between students and the local business community.
“My question is, why not Tuscaloosa and West Alabama?” said Chamber President and CEO Kyle South. “These students have already chosen our region for their education or internship experience. Through this program, we want to show them that West Alabama offers a place to build a thriving career and make a meaningful impact.”
Tuscaloosa County is one of nine host communities selected for the 2025 FuelAL program, joining cities such as Huntsville, Mobile, Birmingham, and Dothan. Across Alabama, FuelAL will engage over 1,000 students, offering exposure to industries like advanced manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and defense while fostering meaningful relationships between students, employers, and civic leaders.
“Put simply, FuelAL: Tuscaloosa and FuelAL are investments in Alabama’s economic future,” said Justice Smyth, executive director of TCEDA. “By connecting students with industries and communities, we’re helping them to remove the blinders and see that there is more to Tuscaloosa and West Alabama than just campus life.”
In addition to regional programming, interns will have the opportunity to participate in statewide FuelAL Summits, which bring together students from across Alabama for professional development and peer networking. The 2025 summits are scheduled for June 13–15 and July 18–19.
Interns and college students interested in participating in FuelAL: Tuscaloosa can apply here. There is no cost to participate, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The program will officially kick off on Monday, June 2, 2025.
For more information, contact Barkley Garrett at barkley@westalabamachamber.com.