Expert Spotlight

Patrick Murphy Jr.

Patrick Murphy Jr. is senior vice president of economic development for the Birmingham Business Alliance. The alliance’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for a seven-county region in north-central Alabama, including Jefferson County, where Norfolk Southern plans to construct a $112 million intermodal freight facility as part of its Crescent Corridor project.  In his position, Murphy is responsible for economic development recruiting, business retention, and expansion activities, and he also oversees targeted marketing of the Birmingham region to the global business community.  Murphy has extensive experience in economic development, including stints as a commercial real estate broker and site location consultant and as project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Question: Funding for the Crescent Corridor has been supported through a public-private partnership that involves the investment of federal and state tax dollars in improvements that carry clear public benefits. In your view, how will the people of Alabama benefit from Norfolk Southern’s investment in the corridor and the intermodal facility in Jefferson County?

Answer: The primary public benefit is that you have another excellent company that is expanding its business operations in Alabama. That means the company will generate more tax revenue for state and local governments, help create good paying jobs, and serve as a driver for future economic development projects. That’s a benefit for our region and it expands to the entire state. Over the years, Norfolk Southern has proven itself to be an excellent corporate citizen and partner. Based on figures we’ve seen, the company already pays almost $20 million in state and local taxes in Alabama. During the past decade, the railroad has helped attract nearly $4 billion in new or expanded business development that has created more than 10,000 jobs. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with Norfolk Southern’s industrial development group on industrial development projects. They are first-class. We have watched as this intermodal project has unfolded, and Norfolk Southern has done an excellent job of going the extra mile to be accessible, informative, and transparent in its dealings with the community.