Question: Do you have any visitors information?
Answer:Tuscaloosa has many quality Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts. Other tourist information can be obtained by contacting the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau at (205) 391-9200 or 800-538-8696. They are located at 1305 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 and open M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Question: What is the population of Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area?
Answer:
Tuscaloosa County - 177,906
Tuscaloosa City - 88,722
Northport City - 22,839
*This information is from 2007 Census Estimates*

Question: Do you have a listing of local area businesses?
Answer: The Chamber of Commerce consists of area businesses. Our on-line Membership Directory will allow you to search by name or by category for our members. You may also purchase a Membership Directory by calling us at (205) 758-7588 or e-mailing us at chamber@dbtech.net

Question: What is the cost of living?
Answer: ACCRA Cost of Living Composite Index for Tuscaloosa Third Quarter 2008 is 90.8
More information can be found in the Chamber's Tuscaloosa County Living resource guide.

Question: Who are the major employers of Tuscaloosa County?
Answer: The top 10 major employers are:

Question: What is the climate like? Source
Answer: The average mean temperature for 2006 is 67.4 degrees, the low mean is 55.0 degrees, and the high mean is 79.7 degrees. The annual precipitation for 2006 was 50.91 inches.

Question: What is the unemployment rate? Source
Answer: The unemployment rate for Tuscaloosa County decreased to 4.1 percent in October 2008, compared to 4.3 percent in September 2008 according to preliminary figures released by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

Question: Where do I go to get information on starting a new business?
Answer: The Chamber has developed a Business Resource Center to aide startup businesses. It is located at The Chamber office at 2200 University Blvd. You can also visit our online center at www.youronestopcenter.com for information on starting a business and to obtain the proper forms from local, state and the federal government. Other resources include the Small Business Development Center (205-348-7011) and SCORE (205-553-0957). To receive a detailed packet of information on starting a business and the resources mentioned above call the Chamber at (205-758-7588) or email chamber@dbtech.net.

Question: What are your local newspapers?
Answer: The daily newspaper is The Tuscaloosa News . To subscribe call (205) 345-0505. The weekly newspaper is The Northport Gazette . To subscribe call (205) 759-3091.

Question: What are some of the events that are taking place in the Tuscaloosa area?
Answer: The Chamber's Calendar of Events page has the most comprehensive listing of upcomng events. Click here to view our online calendar.

Question: What colleges and universities are in the Tuscaloosa area?
Answer:
The University of Alabama
Stillman College
Shelton State Community College 

Question: What are the different school districts in and around Tuscaloosa?
Answer:
Tuscaloosa County School System - (205)758-0411
Tuscaloosa City School System - (205)759-3700

Question: What is the sales tax rate?
Answer: The tax rate is 9 percent.
Starting July 1, 2005 the sales tax rate increased to 9 percent.

Question: Who provides telephone and utility service in Tuscaloosa?
Answer: Telephone service is provided by DeltaCom, Nuvox or AT&T. Electrical service is provided by Alabama Power. Natural gas is provided by Alabama Gas Corporation. Utilities are provided by the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Question: What types of churches are located in the Tuscaloosa area?
Answer:To obtain a complete listing of churches with phone numbers and addresses please contact us at (205)758-7588 or e-mail us at chamber@dbtech.net.

Question: Who provides public transportation to the Tuscaloosa area?
Answer: Area bus service is provided by the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation. Call (205)349-0240 for routes, fares, and schedules. Taxicabs and rental cars are also available.

Question: Do you have a listing of local Hotels and Motels?
Answer: Click Here for a listing of Hotels and Motels.

Question: How did Tuscaloosa get its name?
Answer: It was named after the Choctaw Indian chief Tuskaloosa. The word is derived from two Choctaw words, "Tushka", meaning warrior, and the "Lusa", meaning black.

Question: Where can I donate old clothes, furniture, toys, money, time, etc?
Answer:
The Salvation Army at (205)758-2804
Temporary Emergency Services at (205)758-5535
Red Cross at (205)758-3608
Community Service Programs at (205)758-4756
Community Soup Bowl at (205)752-2421
Low Income Energy Assistance Program at (205)758-4756
Operation Warm Up at (205)758-2804
Youth Emergency Services at (205)553-0957

Question: Where can I obtain information regarding employment at Mercedes?
Answer: You can contact the Mercedes Job Line at 507-2500.

Question: Where can I obtain a telephone directory?
Answer: Telephone directories can be picked up at the Chamber’s office. To receive a directory by mail call (205-758-7588). Pre-postage is needed, which varies by zip code.