🌱 Google Invests $100K In Birmingham Start-Up + Online Rental Scam

Hello, Birmingham. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Follow along for the latest.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with plenty of sun. High: 86 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. Google has invested $100,000 in Birmingham-based tech startup Smart Alto. Smart Alto helps real estate agents qualify leads and schedule appointments. Co-Founder Hassan Riggs says, “Our approach is five times more effective at connecting with clients… our goal is to bring real estate agents, local service providers, and mortgage professionals into the modern age of selling.” (Bham Now)
2. An online rental scam is leaving Birmingham families out thousands of dollars. Troy Gagliardi, the owner of Sayco Homes, has around 100 rental properties throughout Birmingham, but a scammer has copied his online listing in order to steal thousands of dollars from potential renters. The scammer lists the property on Craigslist with a new phone number and a cheaper price. (WBRC)
3. Birmingham city leaders are looking to crack down on illegal littering. Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods said he gets calls weekly about litter and illegal dumping. Last weekend, Woods paired with volunteers from District 1 and District 4 to pick up almost 1,400 pounds of trash in one day. (WBRC)

Today in Birmingham:

• American Red Cross Blood Drive At Homewood Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Five Points Yarn Club At Birmingham Public Library (10:00 AM)
• Coastal Gosse Nature Walk At Graham Creek Nature Preserve (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Mama Coco Cantina & Grill will move into the former Metro Diner space at 1088 Montgomery Highway. Meanwhile, Bar 31, Twisted Root Burger Co., and The Backyard Market have all closed. (Village Living)
• There are a handful of new houses available in and around Birmingham. We particularly liked the modern lines of the Crowley Drive home. (Birmingham Patch)
• The Wallace A. Rayfield Museum will honor the Black architect of the same name. The museum has opened at the renovated 16th Street Baptist Church parsonage. (AL.com)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.