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Relocation Information

UTILITIES

Gas
Alabama Gas Corporation — (205) 759-2501

Electricity
Alabama Power Company — (800) 245-2244

Telephone
BellSouth — (205) 557-6500
(800) 753-3320
ITC DeltaCom — (800) 239-5081

Water
Water service is provided according to the area in which the service is needed. Below are telephone numbers for the City of Tuscaloosa and the City of Northport, however, there are several other companies providing service to rural areas throughout the County.

City of Tuscaloosa — (205) 349-0230
City of Northport — (205) 339-7024

Garbage
City of Tuscaloosa — (205) 349-0260
City of Northport — (205) 333-3003
Rural Tuscaloosa County Serviced
by Waste Management — (205) 345-0112

RECYCLING
Tuscaloosa County Clean
Community Commission — (205) 349-0435

AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION

Driver’s Licenses
New residents should obtain an Alabama license within 30 days after establishing residency. Newcomers with a valid out-of-state driver’s license do not have to take the driving or written test but are required to take the vision exam. All fees for testing must be paid in cash. New licenses and permits are issued at:

The Alabama State Trooper’s Office
2645 Skyland Boulevard East
(205) 553-0729

Alabama driver’s licenses may be renewed at:
The Tuscaloosa County Courthouse Annex
2501 7th Street Suite 100
(205) 349-3870, ext. 239

Car/Truck Tags & Registrations
New Alabama residents must apply for an Alabama Certificate of Title and purchase an Alabama license plate within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

When moving into Tuscaloosa County from another County within Alabama, the tag will be good until expiration, then must be replaced with a Tuscaloosa County tag.

For more information contact:

The License Commissioner’s Office
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse Annex
2501 7th Street
(205) 349-3876, ext. 233-234

Alabama Traffic Laws
A book containing Alabama traffic laws is available at the Alabama State Trooper’s office and at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

GOVERNMENT

Local
Tuscaloosa County — (205) 349-3870
City of Tuscaloosa — (205) 349-2010
City of Northport — (205) 339-7000
Town of Brookwood — (205) 556-1300
Town of Coaling — (205) 507-0200
Town of Coker — (205) 333-8181
Town of Lake View Lake View Fire Department — (205) 477-6341
Town of Vance — (205) 553-8278

Voter Registration
To vote in local, state and national elections you must be a citizen, at least 18 years of age, mentally competent and not under conviction of a felony.

You may register at any time, however, to vote in an election you must have been registered at least 10 days (30 days for municipal elections) prior to that election.

For more information on registering and instruction concerning physically challenged, absentee ballots, precincts and polling places, call:

The Board of Registrars Office
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
714 Greensboro Avenue
(205) 349-3870

Taxes
Both Tuscaloosa and Northport have the same sales tax structure that comes to a total of 9%.

Property tax in the state of Alabama is the lowest in the entire U.S. All non-exempt property in Alabama is classified and assessed for taxation at the following percentages of fair market value:

Class I: Property of Public Utilities, 30%
Class II: — Property not otherwise classified (Industrial), 20%
Class III: — Agricultural, Forest, and Residential Property, 10%

Tax Collectors Office
Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
714 Greensboro Avenue
(205) 349-3870

HEALTHCARE

Hospitals
DCH Regional Medical Center
(205) 759-7111

Northport Medical Center
(205) 333-4500

Veteran’s Administration Medical Center
(205) 554-2000

Physicians
A list of physicians in the Tuscaloosa area is available upon request from The Chamber office.

Mental Health
Bryce Hospital
(205) 759-0799

Partlow Developmental School
(205) 554-7586

Indian Rivers Mental Health Facility
(205) 391-0107

Childcare Facilities
There are many quality childcare facilities in the Tuscaloosa area. Contact The Chamber for a listing of providers.

Elementary / Secondary Schools
Newcomers to the area will need the following information to register their children for school:

Birth Certificate
Immunization Form
Social Security Card
Proof of Address

For information on registering new students, contact the appropriate school office.

Tuscaloosa County Schools
(205) 758-0411

Tuscaloosa City Schools
(205) 759-3700

There are also a number of private schools serving the area. Contact The Chamber for a list of those schools.

Post Secondary Schools

University of Alabama
(205) 348-6010

Stillman College
(205) 349-4240

Shelton State Main Campus
(205) 759-1541

CA Fredd Campus
(205) 758-3361

Alabama Fire College
(205) 759-1508

TRANSPORTATION

Road
Interstate 20/59, and 359 provide Tuscaloosa with quick connections to neighboring cities such as Birmingham, Atlanta and New Orleans. U.S. Highways 11, 43 and 82 and Alabama Highways 69, 13, 171, 76, and 215 keep Tuscaloosa County in close connection with the West Alabama and Northeast Mississippi region.

There are 20 motor freight companies and several package delivery companies servicing Tuscaloosa.

The Tuscaloosa County Transit Authority provides bus service for four different inner-city routes daily. In addition to the regularly scheduled service, vans are available on a call-in basis for the elderly and handicap and Trolley buses which make a loop from the University through downtown during the lunch hours, evening hours, and for University of Alabama home football games.

Tuscaloosa Transit Authority
(205) 556-3876

Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation
(205) 349-0420

Air
Van de Graaff Field, Tuscaloosa’s municipal airport, has a 6,500-foot lighted jet runway, providing high-quality corporate, general and freight aviation services.

Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport
Van de Graaff Field
(205) 349-0114

Birmingham’s international airport, serviced by a number of major carriers, is a hour’s drive from Tuscaloosa County and serves the region.

Rail
Norfolk Southern and Kansas City Southern railroads provide freight service to Tuscaloosa.

Passenger service is provided by Amtrak’s Crescent line from New York to New Orleans.

Amtrak
(800) 872-7245

River
The Black Warrior River is navigable from Birmingham port through Tuscaloosa to Mobile. The Black Warrior is also connected by the Tennessee-Mississippi River systems. Parker Towing Company, headquartered in Tuscaloosa, provides local and regional towing.

HUNTING & FISHING LICENSES

To hunt and fish in Alabama, everyone age 16 years and older must have a valid hunting and fishing license. Citizens age 65 and older do not need a license if they have a valid Alabama driver’s license in their possession. For more information check with a local sporting goods store or call:

The Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
(205) 349-3870

BOAT REGISTRATION
As of October 28, 1999, citations will be presented to any person operating a motorized vessel on State Waterways without an operator’s license. To receive information on obtaining applications and/or an Alabama Boat Operator’s Certification manual contact:

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Police Division
(334) 242-3673

The Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
(205) 349-3870

LIQUOR LAWS
The legal age a person can purchase or consume alcoholic beverages in the state of Alabama is 21. Alabama has strict “Driving Under the Influence” laws. Alcohol is not sold on Sunday.

THE ARTS
The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s 28-member organizations support the participation in and enjoyment of the arts for people of all ages and interests. The Arts Council provides year-round education for children through such programs as the Bama Fanfare, SPEXTRA and Summer Arts workshop. The Council also sponsors activities for families and adults. For more information on the activities available please contact the Arts Council at (205) 758-8083. Other contacts include the Bama Theatre, (205) 758-5195; Sarah Moody Gallery of Art, (205) 348-1890; Theatre Tuscaloosa, (205) 391-2400; and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, (205) 752-5515.

PARKS AND RECREATION
Tuscaloosa County offers 33 public parks, playgrounds, sports fields, picnic areas, tennis courts and swimming pools. Several public and private golf courses, recreational lakes and rivers, numerous campsites and miles of hiking trails are located in the Tuscaloosa area. Information on these areas is available at The Chamber.

There are also three state parks in the area: Lake Lurleen State Park, (205) 339-1558; Tannehill State Park, (205) 477-5711; and Moundville Archaeological Park, (205) 371-2572.

MARRIAGE LICENSE
To obtain a marriage license for Tuscaloosa County, only one applicant must appear in person at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. If there is only one applicant present, that person must provide identification for both parties. Applicants must show a birth certificate, valid driver’s license or other form of identification (Social Security cards not accepted). The fee is $40.00 paid in cash. Both parents must accompany applicants under the age of 18. For further information call the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse, (205) 349-3870.

LIBRARIES
Tuscaloosa Public Library — (205) 345-5820

STATISTICS
Elevation: — 225 feet above sea level.

Area:
City of Tuscaloosa — 56.06 square miles
City of Northport — 11.4 square miles
Tuscaloosa County — 1,340 square miles

Time:
Central Standard — November – March
Central Daylight — April – October.

Population:
Tuscaloosa County — 167,294
City of Tuscaloosa — 75,640
City of Northport — 18,993

Climate:
Mean annual temp — 63.4 F
Lowest mean temp — (Jan.) - 46.9 F
Highest mean temp. — (Jul.) - 81.7 F
Average rainfall — 52.46 inches.

Distances:
Birmingham, AL — 58 Miles
Atlanta, GA — 198 Miles
Memphis, TN — 197 Miles
New Orleans, LA — 294 Miles

MEDIA

Radio Stations
WACT — Gospel — 1420 AM
WTBC — News, Sports, Talk — 1230 AM
WSPZ — All Sports — 1150 AM
WTSK — Gospel — 790 AM
WANZ — Alternative — 100.7 FM
WNPT — Country — 102.9 FM
WDGM — Oldies — 99.1 FM
WBHJ — Hip-Hop — 95.7 FM
WALN — Religious — 89.3 FM
WTID — Adult Contemporary — 101.7 FM
WTXT — Country — 98.1 FM
WUAL — Public Radio — 91.5 FM
WZBQ — Popular — 94.1 FM
WRTR — Classic Rock — 105.5 FM
WTUG — Urban Contemporary — 92.9 FM
WQZZ — Oldies — 104.3 FM
WDGM — Oldies — 99.1 FM
WVUA — Alternative — 90.7 FM

Television Stations
WVUA
WBRC (Fox)
WIAT (CBS)
WCFT/WJSU Alabama’s 33/40 (ABC)
WVTM 13 (NBC)

Newspapers
The Tuscaloosa News — (205) 345-0505

Printed Daily
The Northport Gazette — (205) 759-3091

Cable
Cable service is provided according to the area in which service is needed.

Comcast Cablevision — (205) 345-0424
Charter Communications — (205) 339-7972

OTHER SERVICES

Department of Human Resources
3716 12th Avenue East
(205) 554-1100

Public Housing
Social Services/Section 8 — (205) 758-4997
Social Services/Northport — (205) 349-3221
Social Security Administration — (800) 772-1213
Local Office — (205) 349-4863

INFORMATION SOURCES
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
2200 University Boulevard
(205) 758-7588

The Tuscaloosa Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
1305 Greensboro Avenue
(205) 391-9200 or (800) 538-8696

Tuscaloosa County Extension Service
Fifth Floor, Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
(205) 349-3886, ext. 288

Tuscaloosa County Courthouse
(205) 349-3870

Tuscaloosa City Hall
(205) 349-2010

Northport City Hall
(205) 339-7000

OTHER AVAILABLE INFORMATION AT
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WEST ALABAMA

Employment
Lists of the largest employers in the Tuscaloosa area as well as listings of employment agencies. Cost: Free of charge.

Housing Guides
Guides to homes for sale or apartments for rent are located throughout the city in banks, grocery, convenience, and drug stores, and other locations. Cost: Free if picked up, $4 postage if mailed.

The Chamber can provide you with the names of member realtors and apartments. Cost: Free of charge.

City/County Map
A detailed map is available at The Chamber. The map includes the City of Northport and the City of Tuscaloosa on one side and Tuscaloosa County on the other side. It also includes a cross reference for streets and subdivisions. Cost: $3.

Industrial Guide
This guide includes all industry in the West Alabama area. It is updated in the fall each year. Cost: $5.

Churches
There are many churches of varied denominations in Tuscaloosa County. A list of churches is available at The Chamber office. Cost: Free of charge.

Civic Clubs / Organizations
Tuscaloosa County has many clubs and organizations. The Chamber has a list available for your convenience. Cost: Free of charge.

Banks
A list of the Tuscaloosa area banks is available upon request from The Chamber. Cost: Free of charge.

Referral Source
The Chamber can provide a list of names and telephone numbers for any business or service that you have need of. Call The Chamber for further details. Cost: Free of charge.