Tourism Industry Enjoys Long-Term Growth Trend
 Once thought of as a sleepy coastal community, the Alabama Gulf Coast has transformed into a thriving destination that offers numerous lodging, restaurant and attraction options. Yet, this area has retained is charming Southern feel that successfully competes with nearby destinations. In 2007, Baldwin County claimed the largest portion of the market share (24.7%) when compared to the five neighboring Panhandle counties of Escambia (11.5%), Santa Rosa (2.2%), Okaloosa (18.9%), Walton (23.6%) and Bay (19.1%). Also in 2007, the AL Gulf Coast achieved another record breaking figure as the area exceeded its previous taxable lodging revenue record by $39 million.
However, these yearly records are part of a larger growth trend. Since 2000, taxable lodging revenue has steadily grown from $157 million to $244 million in 2008. Similar to the $87 million lodging increase, retail revenue also grew a total of $376 million in the same eight year time span. With the addition of 3,805 lodging units in the last eight years, the area has also added more retail, restaurant and attraction space that has contributed to this trend.
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February 2008 -The Air Force's new aerial refueling tankers will be built in Mobile. But that is just part of the story!
Baldwin, Mobile and surrounding counties will be the envy of Real Estate Professionals from around the country as the area is transformed. While other parts of the country will be riding the down cycle, we are about to explode with new growth that should envigorate and grow the real estate market in this area in a major way. Not only will Mobile be one of only three places worldwide building large aircraft, other industries will follow and we have had multiple successes over the last couple of years that will bring new and prosperous industries to our marketplace. The Air Force's announcement that Mobile and Northrop Grumman/EADS North America has won the first phase of the three part air refueling tanker replacement contract, will bring numerous high tech suppliers to our area, providing high paying jobs and opportunity. The Air Force contract is one of the largest defense buys in recent history and is only part (179 aircraft) of a three part plan to replace 500 air refueling tankers over the next several years.
State in the southeastern United States. It is bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi.
Area, 51,609 sq mi (133,677 sq km).
Pop. (2000) 4,447,100, a 10.1% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital, Montgomery.
Largest city, Birmingham.
Nickname, Heart of Dixie.
Motto, We Dare Defend Our Rights.
State bird, yellowhammer.
State flower, camellia.
State tree, Southern (longleaf) pine.
The central Black Belt , formerly a principal cotton-growing area, is now employed largely for raising poultry (the state ranks third in U.S. broiler chicken production) and cattle, Alabama's most valuable agricultural products. Cotton is still the chief crop; greenhouse plants, peanuts, and vegetables are also important.
Although about half of Alabama's area is devoted to agriculture, manufacturing accounts for a larger share of the state's income. Where the Tennessee River loops across the north, hydroelectric power from the Tennessee Valley Authority has converted much agricultural land to industrial uses.Alabama has the second most extensive (after Georgia) forests in the contiguous United States, and pulp and paper products lead manufactures. 
Other major industries produce chemicals, electronics, textiles, processed foods, and automobiles. Oil and gas, cement, and stone lead mineral production; the state's once-prominent coal industry is gradually declining. The Marshall NASA Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Forts Rucker and McClellan contribute significantly to the economy.
*Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition