Birmingham business leaders were told that now is the time to focus on economic prosperity and the future during the Birmingham Business Alliance’s first meeting Dec. 15, at the Sheraton-Birmingham.

This year’s featured speaker was Mac Holladay, CEO of Market Street Services, the company hired to lead the BBA through “Blueprint Birmingham,” the strategic planning process that will map out the Birmingham region’s future.

Holladay told the crowd of 600 people that ending negative job growth requires new ideas and targeted recruitment, educational and political strategies. The region has to have a growth plan that maximizes its strengths and leverages its resources, he said.

Currently, Market Street is collecting data from an online survey that can be found at Birminghambusiness alliance.com.

Recently, data was also collected through focus groups involving more than 400 people. Once the data has been analyzed, Market Street will help the BBA finalize implementation plans, benchmarks and performance metrics.

The BBA selected Market Street Services of Atlanta, Ga., in November to direct an intensive, six-month economic development planning process for the seven-county Birmingham region.

The company has conducted similar undertakings in scores of cities throughout the United States.