Some residents of Tuscaloosa, Alabama believe the University of Alabama football team's success on the field has directly contributed to the region's growth.
Congratulations Alabama on winning another national championship. If past wins are any indication, the Tide's win will further propel the growth of Tuscaloosa—the home of the University of Alabama. Scott Beyer reports in Forbes that the growth of Tuscaloosa has closely mirrored the success of the football team, with both taking off around the same time Coach Nick Saban arrived in 2007.
This period has inspired a wave of alumni donations and apparel sales, and motivated season ticket holders from out of town to buy second properties there. Tuscaloosa’s population has grown 23.4% since 2000, compared to 15.7% nationally and 9.3% in Alabama. Tuscaloosa was anticipated last year to be the state’s fastest-growing metro area. From 2010-2014, it trailed only the city of Auburn—which also happens to have a successful college football team.
FULL STORY: Are Winning College Football Teams A Catalyst For Urban Growth?
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