Initiatives - October 2023

Focused On You

When it comes to managing the challenges facing your business, it’s critical to partner with a legal team that has a sophisticated understanding of your goals. As a full-service law firm with extensive experience in commercial litigation, banking and financial services, intellectual property, government contracts, construction, economic development, healthcare, real estate, corporate and securities, life sciences, labor and employment law, and governmental affairs, our attorneys can address the unique needs of every client. At Bradley, we’re focused on providing you with innovative solutions, dependable responsiveness, and a deep commitment to success.

For more information visit www.bradley.com

GET BACK TO WHAT YOU LOVE

When it comes to life, don’t let your back or neck get in the way. Get back to doing the things you love to do.

The Spine & Neuro team from Huntsville Hospital is the most experienced in the area and they have been improving lives in North Alabama for more than 50 years. Whether your favorite fishing hole is on Wilson Lake in the Shoals, Flint Creek or Lake Guntersville, Spine & Neuro is nearby to get you back to your best.

new chamber members

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Joined in July

ACE Tree Service

Advanced Behavioral Health

All Clean

Alzheimer’s Association - Alabama Chapter

Brookshire Healthcare Center

Certified Maintenance Service, Inc.

CoAdvantage

Dynamis, Inc.

EOD Gear

FTI Consulting

Galapagos Federal Systems LLC

Holy Family Regional School, Huntsville

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Jones Properties and Commercial Leasing LLC

LEO at Flint Crossing

Mail Centers Plus, LLC

Martin & Cobey Construction Company, Inc.

Mojana Soaps

Mountain Valley Roofing & Exteriors LLC

New South Outdoor, LLC

Rainscapes Irrigation

Rosie Cleans, LLC

The Bakingtist

VIP Yard, Inc.

Become a Chamber Member

In addition to investing in the economic growth of the entire region, as a Chamber member, you receive a variety of important benefits:

■ Build business relationships, create partnerships, and grow your business

■ Listing in the online Membership Directory

■ Specially designed professional development programs to grow your talent and strengthen your business

■ Brand exposure through the Chamber’s multimedia platforms to fellow member companies and the region’s business community

■ Priority communications to keep you updated on the latest business news and information impacting your business

If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is the place to start. Contact Crystal Baker, Membership Retention Specialist: 256-535-2039 or cbaker@hsvchamber.org.

Joined in August

Abacus Technologies

AHC Millennium

Beach Equity Investments

BNI, Gateway

BV Medical Solutions

Clear Channel Outdoor, Airports Division

Continuum Health

Cure Diabetes Inc.

Dunn Building Company

Envision GovCon Solutions

Family Savings Credit Union

Fighter Link Solutions International

Hound & Harvest

HPM

Humphrey’s Bar and Grill

Huntsville College Preparatory School

Huntsville Fitness Equipment

Huntsville Urban Bike Share Coop (HUBS Coop)

Integrity Trade Services

Legacy 4 Korean War Veterans Foundation

Leigh Daniel, Attorney At Law

Lincoln Village Ministry

Marblelife of Huntsville

New York Life Insurance Company & NYLIFE

Securities, LLC

O2B Kids Madison

Oxford Townhomes

PingWind, Inc.

Production Paint Stripping Ltd.

Purple Door Meetings & Conference Services

Quantic Electronics, LLC

Rausch Coleman Homes

RCC, Inc.

Senior Alliance

Signature Flight Support

Society of Government Meeting Professionals

Rocket City Chapter

SOL Engineering Services, LLC

StretchLab Huntsville

SWJ Technology, LLC

The Paradise Event Center

Walmart 231/431 N

Woods Made Designs

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING of North Alabama

Mission: To prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.

HSVchamber.org

(see staff listing on page 32)

Chamber members: You are encouraged to contribute ideas for our publications. Please send items to comms@hsvchamber.org

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber maintains editorial control.

on

the cover

Alternative Pop Artist Deqn Sue performing at Huntsville Music Month’s Launchpad

editorial staff

publisher Chip Cherry, CCE

editor Claire Aiello

editorial designer Kristi Sherrard

contributing writers

Kayla Brown

Anne Burkett

Annie Davis

Erin Koshut

Deborah Storey advertising

Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org

Lakeysha Brown lbrown@hsvchamber.org

HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY ALABAMA

Military, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, diversified manufacturing, and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work in delightful surroundings. The area enjoys a favorable cost of living and quality of life. Mountains, lakes, woodlands, and the Tennessee River accommodate numerous recreational activities. A temperate climate enhances the season for outdoor sports, including worldclass golf, hiking, biking, and fishing. Major concerts, Broadway and symphony performances, extensive permanent collections, and traveling exhibitions contribute to a wonderful way of life.

Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, Inc. 225 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 • 256-535-2000

Photo by Dokk Savage Photography

a message from chip cherry

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders, and Friends:

In my role at the Chamber, I frequently hear from visitors how impressed they are with our community. The common thread is, “we had no idea how cool this place was!” One of my favorite short stories is The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono. The story drives home two points. First, it shows the impact a person with passion and dedication can have. The second is, often the work of such a person or people is taken for granted as having occurred organically. Those who did the work to make these developments possible were motivated by a vision for a better, more vibrant community. They care little about receiving the credit.

The goal of our cover story for October is to share insights into the work and vision that go into building a community. Often, the work that goes into creating the type of community we are proud to call home goes unappreciated – we take for granted that it’s just that way. The reality is very different. It takes vision, commitment, and passion coupled with a lot of hard work to build a community and the economy that powers it. We highlight some of the efforts that have enhanced our quality of life, and these efforts are amplified by those of countless others who are working to enhance our community. We are grateful to be part of the Team that works to create and maintain our community, and we’re thankful to everyone who endeavors to make this a great place to live, work, and raise a family!

By the time this issue reaches your desk, our 2023 Small Business Award winners will have been announced. I encourage you to visit our website, hsvchamber.org , to read about the finalists and award winners. We have a robust and dynamic Small Business Community that forms the foundation of our region’s economy. Congratulations to the nominees, contenders, and the winners!

Phoenix’s David Perez is the focus in the HREGI Investor Profile on page 27. I want to take this opportunity to thank David and his team for the role they play in helping those with barriers to work to overcome those challenges. It’s a special mission requiring a servant’s heart. They also stepped up when the community needed a partner to sew masks so that physicians’ offices and other essential activities could continue during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Phoenix, thank you for being a great community partner!

If you would like to learn more about the HREGI Program, please contact me. I would enjoy the opportunity to share the impact it has on our initiatives and the community.

I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon.

Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Executive Committee

Lynn Troy, Board Chair – Troy7, Inc.

Sameer Singhal , Chair-Elect – CFD Research Corporation

Greg Brown , Immediate Past Chair – Brown Precision, Inc.

Ron Poteat , Board Chair, Chamber Foundation

Wayne Sisco , Secretary/Treasurer – Redstone Federal Credit Union

Jeff Samz , Vice Chair, Economic Development & Workforce –Huntsville Hospital

Michelle Jordan , Vice Chair, Economic Inclusion & Diversity – TARCOG

Ronnie Chronister, Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs –Lockheed Martin Corporation

Beth Sippel , Vice Chair, HREGI – Synovus

Blake Bentley, Vice Chair, Investor Relations – SportsMED

Jason Puckett , Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications – Toyota Alabama

Dr. Karockas Watkins , Vice Chair, Small Business – Ability Plus, Inc.

Jeff Gronberg , Liaison, Redstone Regional Alliance – deciBel Research, Inc.

Brett Crain , Chair-Appointed – Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.

Jami Peyton , Chair-Appointed – Canvas, Inc.

John Watson , Chair-Appointed – Torch Technologies

Mayor Tommy Battle , Ex-officio Member – City of Huntsville

Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-officio Member – City of Madison

Chm. Mac McCutcheon , Ex-officio Member – Madison Co. Commission

Chip Cherry, CCE , President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Elected board

Ted Baudendistel , InterFuze Corporation

David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.

Penny Billings , Cadence Bank

Jason Blount , Keel Point, LLC

Mark Brazeal , Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)

Thomas Busby, SouthState Bank

Katie Comer, Meta Platforms, Inc.

Michael Cox , Raytheon, An RTX Business

Dr. Patti Dare , Davidson

Melissa Davis , MTA, Inc.

Tyler Evans , Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company

Kevin Fernandez , L2 Mindset

Greg Fortier, SAIC

Owen Franklin , Blue Summit Supplies

Dr. Greg Gaddy, Five Stones Research Corporation

Greg Hall , Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)

Scott Hall , Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.

Ginger Harper, First Horizon

Josh Herren , Yulista

Tharon Honeycutt , MSB Analytics, Inc.

Laura Huckabee-Jennings , Transcend, The Fearless Company

Lincoln Hudson , Frontier Technology, Inc.

Tyce Hudson , Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC

Hank Isenberg , IronMountain Solutions

Sean Kelly, Regions Bank

Tim King , Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)

Clint Kirkland , United Community Bank

Rich Kretzschmar, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)

James Lackey, Parsons

Todd May, KBR

Bob McCaleb , Northrop Grumman Corporation

Chrystal Morgan , The Boeing Company

Collin Orcutt , Schoel Engineering Company, Inc.

Alana Parker, Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc.

Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi

Sharné Rice , U.S. Army

Alicia Ryan , LSINC Corporation

Charlie Sealy, Sealy Management Company, Inc.

Mitch Stevison , Mercury Systems, Inc.

Nilmini Thompson , Systems Products and Solutions, Inc.

Mark Vaporis , Intrepid

Mike Watkins , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

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Put your health first and start living better right now. Make an appointment at CrestwoodPrimaryCare.com or call (888) 280-2438.

community highlights

COMPILED BY CLAIRE AIELLO

Keeping Track of Huntsville’s mentions in the news

We track publications that mention the Rocket City and keep a running list on our website for you to use. One of the latest from August is from U.S.News&WorldReport, listing us as the #1 Best Place to Live for Families in the U.S. Another #1 ranking comes from CoStar, which listed Huntsville as the #1 Tech Market for Growth Potential in North America.

Visit hsvchamber.org/accolades for the latest, including a PDF your recruiting teams are welcome to share with talent.

Football returns to the Joe!

It’s been several years since football games were played at Joe Davis Stadium, but that changed with the start of high school football season. The first game featured Grissom vs. Hazel Green on September 1. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle helped with the ceremonial coin toss and Grissom won the game 42-7. In all, about half a dozen games will be held at Wicks Family Field at the Joe through October.

Several Huntsville Companies Make Inc. 5000 List

Several Chamber members have made the new Inc. 5000 List, putting them among the fastest-growing private companies in America. These include RippleWorx, Mb Solutions, 5Boys Apparel, Advanced Roofing & Construction, Phased n Research, Summit 7 Systems, Davidson Homes, GE Aerospace (formerly Gray Analytics), H2L Solutions, EngeniusMicro, KODA Technologies, deciBel Research, Crossflow Technologies, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, AcqCentric, Inline Electric Supply Company, Trideum, GaN Corporation, Cintel, and CFD Research.

Secretary Canfield Addresses HREGI Investors

We thank Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield for sharing an update with investors in our Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI) on August 29. We heard updates on his recent trip to Japan with our Huntsville delegation (read more on page 14).

He also shared updates on recent statewide growth, and Huntsville’s growth in particular. Our five-year GDP growth is 20.8 percent compared to the U.S.’s rate of 8.8 percent, and our employment growth is 11 percent compared to the national rate of 3.4 percent. In terms of foreign trade, Alabama set a new record for statewide exports in 2022: $25.5 billion. We send goods to 196 countries.

CFD Research breaks ground on expansion in Jackson County

In addition to soccer and football, the stadium is available for other sports and private events throughout the year, including parties and company outings. To learn more about hosting an event at Joe Davis Stadium, visit huntsvillecityfc.com

Four Huntsville Companies Make Fortune’s Best Workplaces List

Congratulations to four Huntsville companies for being recognized among Fortune’s Best Small and Medium Workplaces. Each list notes 100 companies in America based on surveys conducted by Great Places to Work®.

PeopleTec came in at #1 on the Medium sized list! “From the top to the bottom of the PeopleTec offices, from the Co-Presidents to directors, all are exceptional communicators,” one worker shared. “Employee-owners are kept up-to-date on all matters on a daily basis. As an employee, I feel that I can reach out to any of the executives and receive a direct reply. This is a unique People First feature that I have never experienced in my near 40-year working career.” PeopleTec also came in at #14 on the Best Workplaces for Millennials™ list.

Canvas came in at #72 on the Medium list. On the Small list, KODA Technologies came in at #11 and Brockwell Technologies came in at #65.

Congratulations to all four companies, who are also Chamber members! These were the only four companies in Alabama to be noted.

CFD Research continues to expand its footprint in Jackson County. On August 28, the company broke ground on an additional facility at its Engineering Test Center in Hollywood. The new 19,000-square-foot building supports work for ongoing contracts with the Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), and other customers.

Freedom marks start of new office buildings in Hays Farm

Freedom Real Estate & Capital held a groundbreaking on August 29 to begin construction of its new office building in the Hays Farm multi-use development in south Huntsville. The site is on Haysland Road just next to the front of Grissom High School. The 54,000-square-foot building will be finished in 2024, and contain Class A office space. There are also plans for a nine-acre city park next to the building.

CREDIT: HUNTSVILLE SPORTS COMMISSION

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Advancing STEM Education

Toyota invests up to $6.7 million in Huntsville City Schools

On August 10, Toyota USA Foundation announced grants of up to $6.7 million to prepare students in Huntsville City Schools for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The collaboration is part of Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative and is a five-year phased rollout of programming in select schools.

“Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work,” said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation, Toyota. “With $2.9 million in the first year, and more to come in years ahead, we’re looking forward to the expansion of Driving Possibilities in the Huntsville area.”

Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education and builds on existing programs across the country. The long-term initiative’s aim is to close educational gaps for students through innovative, hands-on STEM programming while addressing the essential needs of students and families.

“The Driving Possibilities framework provides a holistic approach to addressing gaps in education,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama. “Our mission is to collaborate with local schools, community partners and other businesses, to help students reach their full potential. The success of our students will determine the future of our community.”

The grant supports a new industrial maintenance program at the recently announced Huntsville City Schools Career Tech Center. The program creates a direct pathway into high-demand manufacturing careers and will be accessible to students across the entire Huntsville City Schools system. Driving Possibilities is also funding new teacher coaches, training and mentorship in partnership with the New Teacher Center. The initial focus for this program is schools in the Mae Jemison High School and Lee High School feeder patterns, including the elementary and middle schools.

The Chamber Foundation will serve as the coordinating partner agency to manage the program for Huntsville City Schools and Toyota. We’re pleased to share that Beth Zinn has joined the Chamber Foundation as the Driving Possibilities Program Manager. She will work closely with community, industry, and education partners to help ensure the Huntsville region has the quantity and quality of talent to meet employer needs and support sustained growth.

In 2022, the Toyota USA Foundation announced Driving Possibilities, a $110 million national, career readiness and community engagement initiative, launched to prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow. It is a unique approach that brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities to create limitless possibilities for all. With efforts across the PreK-12 education continuum, the program is the largest and most comprehensive in Toyota’s history. The initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

Huntsville, Ala. is the fifth site to launch Driving Possibilities programming, which is based on more than 60 years of active support in Toyota communities across the U.S. and builds off the successful model in West Dallas, Texas.

Zinn

Long-Distance Field Trip

Strengthening relationships with partners in Japan

Relationships are important in business, and they can yield opportunities over time. That is certainly the case in our long-time partnership with our Japanese automakers, and a delegation of local and state leaders recently returned from an August visit to Japan.

The group included Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield; Department of Commerce Assistant Director of Business Development Hollie Pegg; Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, USA President Masashi Aihara; Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber President & CEO Chip Cherry; Toyota Alabama Plant Manager Jason Puckett; and AIDT Director Ed Castile.

“Alabama’s long-standing relationship with Japan has translated into growth and opportunity for local communities all across the state – and that includes the Huntsville region,” said Canfield. “This is a special relationship that, over the years, has come to transcend business and will endure – and grow – for many decades to come.”

Mayor Battle and Cherry have visited Japan numerous times, and in recent years have taken a larger group. The last visit was in May 2019.

“We value our relationship with Mazda and Toyota and believe in proactive planning for their future success in Huntsville,” said Mayor Battle. “These are growing companies that provide good paying jobs and make significant philanthropic investments to the betterment of our community. We keep our partnership strong by working together and planning ahead to ensure we’re both where we need to be in the coming decades.”

Cherry echoed the importance of this ongoing partnership.

“It has been a real opportunity to reinforce the value of Toyota and Mazda to our market and thank them for the investments they’ve made in our community,” said Cherry. “We also were able to have preliminary conversations about other opportunities when they were evaluating options in the United States for expansions.”

The trip in August included several stops, including visiting a battery plant operated by Panasonic and Toyota in Himeji City. This joint venture is the parent facility of the battery plant being built in Greensboro, NC. The group wore clean suits to see the inside and view the process of how batteries are made, including what workers do and how they incorporate robots in the manufacturing process.

“Part of the reason for going on these trips is to understand how the process works,” explained Cherry. “Prior to Mazda Toyota Manufacturing building its facility in Huntsville, we had visited at least half a dozen automotive manufacturing facilities in Japan. You get to see how the process works, to see what goes into it, and this really helps when you’re having a conversation about a potential

project coming here – knowing and understanding what will need to be done along the way to make it successful.”

The group also met with Toyota leadership in Nagoya, and Mazda leadership in Hiroshima. Mazda executives invited the delegation to a Hiroshima Carps game, which was a very fun outing!

“The Carps are the only community-owned baseball team in Japan, and the fans are very, very proud of them,” said Cherry. “It is a very large stadium, like a major league stadium in the U.S., except the fans are much more engaged, singing the entire game, including during the seventh-inning stretch where all of the fans held red balloons and let them fly. It was so much fun!”

Cherry said these outings are important, experiencing the culture as well as the beauty of Japan. The group also visited a temple and tried their hands at origami. These experiences help build trust, respect, and honor, Cherry explained.

“These give us an opportunity to learn more about the foundation of the Japanese culture, so we can use that understanding when we’re having conversations with some of the Japanese leadership here,” he said. “I’m a firm believer that one of the reasons we were successful in having Mazda and Toyota select Huntsville for its automotive manufacturing facility is because of that relationship that we have forged over the many years – 22 years with the engine plant here – our long history of working well with our partners at Toyota Alabama, and the company’s leadership belief that this was a market where they could grow a successful long-term presence. That message was communicated with us by the Mazda Team, that they felt more comfortable locating it here than in some of the other locations.”

– Claire Aiello

The group dons clean suits to tour the battery plant in Himeji City.

Top 15 Employers: Huntsville & Madison County

community profile

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Aerospace & Defense

Huntsville/Madison County is home to the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center which combine to drive a thriving aerospace and defense technology industry. Currently, 44,000 people work at Redstone Arsenal and NASA, managing some of the country’s most important and sophisticated technology programs.

Research & Technology

Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park (CRP) has earned a reputation as a global leader in technology development. The second-largest science and technology research park in the U.S., CRP is home to 320 companies and 26,500 people involved in technology research and development.

For more information, visit: hsvchamber.org

For more information, please contact:

Laurel Bailey

Chief Operating Officer 256-461-7482

l.bailey@industrialproperties.net

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Job-Ready

Drake State graduates first LPN Cohort

Their motto was “19 In, 19 Out” – and it’s as simple as it sounds. Nineteen students started the program, and they worked together to ensure all 19 successfully made it through.

The first cohort of the LPN Launch Program graduated on August 8 in a special pinning ceremony held at the Stone Event Center. The graduates are a product of the joint initiative between Drake State Community and Technical College and Huntsville Hospital and will help address critical nursing shortages. All 19 graduates began work at Huntsville Hospital about a week later.

Tracy Doughty, Huntsville Hospital’s president and chief operating officer, spoke at their graduation ceremony. We asked him a few weeks later how the new LPNs are doing on the job.

“The LPN Launch Program graduates are doing very well and have been a perfect fit for our hospital,” said Doughty. “This partnership with Drake State will pay dividends for years to come for Huntsville Hospital, our community, and most importantly our patients.”

Huntsville Hospital covered up to $15,000 in tuition, fees, and some other expenses. In exchange, the graduates commit to work for three years as an LPN at the hospital.

The next LPN Launch cohort is already underway. You can learn more about future sessions at drakestate.edu

– Claire Aiello

L-R: Dr. Alice Raymond, Director of Innovation and Program Success at Drake State, Trinity Carlisle, LPN Launch graduate, and Arin Zapf, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Huntsville Hospital. Carlisle represented her graduating class during the ceremony and gave a speech about how they came up with the motto “19 In, 19 Out.”

Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.

Does Huntsville really have all the ingredients needed to add up to an excellent quality of life?

The checklist: Award-winning schools. Outdoor activities. Entertainment. A bustling downtown. Affordable housing. A good place to raise a family. A strong economy.

According to outlets like U.S.News&WorldReport, the answer is clear – the Huntsville area tops nationwide rankings as the best place in the country to live.

continued on page 20

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continued from page 19

It hasn’t happened overnight – for years, local leaders have infused planning and project design with that livability factor in mind –and the work continues.

“We’ve been working to enhance quality of life for our residents for the past 15 years,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “Guided by our BIG Picture master plan, we have strategically focused our efforts on building and expanding facilities and programs for recreation, parks, the arts, sports, music, greenways, bike lanes, and transportation.”

One of the artists painting the big mural of Huntsville’s future is Dennis Madsen, the City’s manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning.

“Cities like ours have been making increasing investments in quality of life,” said Madsen. “People do put a premium on what they’re doing when they’re not at work.”

The goals are to make people who live here want to stay, lure newcomers, and entice those who left.

It’s fine if cities attract a popular restaurant that citizens want –what Madsen calls the “Cheesecake Factory effect” – but what really helps is “the things that celebrate your unique identity,” he said.

“We’ve looked very intently at the things that make Huntsville unique,” he said, like NASA association, space history, and “geek culture.”

Another asset that might not be so obvious is public art like murals and sculptures. Those reveal a little of the community’s personality and character, Madsen said.

“Public art, if you do it right, is tied into your public identity. You don’t typically see a sculpture one place and say ‘I saw something just like that in another city’,” Madsen said.

“One of the things that we’re really proud of is the public art that

ARTSHUNTSVILLE.ORG – TRAVELERS II BY MATT NIEBUHR & DAVID DALQUIST (PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC FORREST - HSVPHOTO.COM)

will be going into the new city hall,” he said. Two large art installations in the city government’s administration building under construction on Fountain Circle were part of a national competition, Madsen said, “but half a dozen other installations were specific to Huntsville-based artists.”

The new city hall is on target to be finished by next summer.

Outdoor offerings

Recreation and outdoor public spaces are integral to quality of life as well.

“There’s a lot of green space and it’s very easy to get to,” Madsen said. Families, particularly young people, are looking for places to hike, run, bike, skate, and more.

“There has been a growing demand for outdoor recreation op portunities in the past few years,” said Marie Bostick, executive director of the Land Trust of North Alabama, a preservation group.

“The Land Trust opened four nature preserves and expanded ex isting trail systems, adding approximately 12 miles of trails in the last five years,” she said.

The Land Trust has 10 public nature preserves with more than 80 miles of trails.

“These spaces provide countless opportunities for outdoor recre ation, and they’re constantly changing,” Bostick said.

“This spring, Land Trust of North Alabama surpassed a signif icant conservation milestone, preserving 10,000 acres across our region,” said Bostick. “That includes 3,000 acres conserved in just the past three years.”

Those acquisitions add to livability but also offer economic, en vironmental, health, education, tourism, and scenery benefits, she noted.

The Land Trust also offers organized programs like children’s camps and adult workshops on topics like birding and tree identi fication.

Land Trust employees assist with executing the City’s master plan for pedestrian connectivity, too.

“Several years ago, we developed a ‘greenprint’ that identified conservation targets circling the metro area,” said Bostick.

“In the coming year, we will complete a new two-mile trail on Green Mountain that will extend from the valley to the top of the mountain,” she said. “This is part of the River to Gap vision to create a natural corridor from Blevins Gap at Cecil Ashburn Drive all the way to the Tennessee River.”

The new Hickory Cove Nature Preserve will be the home of a Nature Discovery Center, Bostick said, “which will be the heart of all Land Trust conservation, recreation, and education initiatives.

“We’re also in the process of creating native pollinator gardens at two preserves – Blevins Gap and Harvest Square – that will provide food and habitat for pollinators – birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects.”

Even more park-like space downtown is planned, too. Huntsville leaders are working with the EarlyWorks museum complex to reinvent the grounds of the Historic Huntsville Depot on Church Street, Madsen said.

“It’s likely that will get transformed into something like an active park as well, so you’re adding even more green space to downtown as it develops,” Madsen said.

Many locals were pleasantly surprised to hear that after the new city hall building is complete, the 1960s marble one overlooking Big Spring Park will come down and “we’re adding all that green space back into the park system,” Madsen said.

continued on page 22

continued from page 21

Other major Huntsville projects include the Get-A-Way Skatepark and Kids Space Playground at John Hunt Park, which opened in September. There are additional ongoing improvements to John Hunt, a new recreation center in the works on Martin Road, and kayaking streams being built near the Orion.

Beyond baseball

In Madison, the obvious high-profile fun project in recent years is Toyota Field, a multi-use venue that is home to the Rocket City Trash Pandas AA Minor League baseball team. Other events held there include a Christmas lights show, summer movies and festivals.

“We find that most Madison residents are very active, enjoying the City’s greenways and parks and numerous youth and adult recreation programs,” said Mary Beth Broeren, its director of Development Services.

The City of Madison has completed its own park improvements in recent years, Broeren said. They include Home Place Park, a 2 1/4-acre area with a small performance stage and picnic pavilion.

“The Madison Arts Alliance has initiated a summer concert series, and our Parks and Recreation Department has also hosted movies in the park, both free event opportunities for the community to gather,” she said.

In five neighborhood parks, playground equipment is being added or replaced. Kids Kingdom at Dublin Park will reopen this fall with more inclusive park space.

Mill Creek Greenway grew by a quarter-mile. Bradford Creek Greenway Trailhead added a trailhead with parking and a walking path around the pond. Oakland Springs Branch Greenway, Madison’s first in Limestone County, will open a four-mile new greenway this fall.

BIG SPRING PARK, DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE

BRADFORD CREEK GREENWAY BRIDGE IN MADISON

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One of my favorite things about Huntsville is the size. It is small enough to have the comforting ‘small town’ feeling, but big enough to have everything you need in terms of dining, entertainment, shopping, medical services, etc.

I have only lived here for a year, but my experience has been extremely positive. It feels like home, and my family has no plans of ever moving anywhere else!

I feel Huntsville is a well-kept secret. (Well maybe not so much so anymore!) It’s truly a unique, diverse place where it’s a pleasure to live and work. I think Huntsville goes against a lot of the stereotypes that people in other parts of the country may have about the deep South.

– Jordie Ivey –

Dermatologist, moved from Mississippi

“Park improvements and extension of the City’s greenways continue to remain a priority to keep families engaged,” Broeren said.

The Town Madison walkable “urban community” diversifies the housing portfolio, Broeren said, “and the varied product mix was attractive to City leaders because it was anticipated to meet housing demand from millennials to empty nesters.”

More improvements expected in Madison include a new 32,000square-foot community center and a splash pad at the future Sunshine Oaks Park next to Bradford Creek Greenway. At the Hexagon campus, the “City acquired 19.6 acres in the Town Madison area and is converting existing tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts and completing lighting improvements to the existing two softball and two soccer fields,” Broeren said.

A new multi-use path will run along Kyser Boulevard through Bradford Station. South of Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, Madison will develop the new Madison Farms Park on 23 acres.

In the County

In Madison County, commissioners have made improvements in their six districts, said Jennifer Gordon, director of Commerce and External Affairs for the Madison County Commission.

Those include a disc golf course at Sharon Johnston Park; improved walking trails and a boat ramp by the TVA and Wheeler Wildlife

Refuge property; new indoor recreation centers with meeting space in Gurley and New Hope; a new multi-use recreation center and soccer and football fields in the Madison Cross Roads area; expansion of the free community garden near Alabama A&M; and an updated ballroom at the Harrison Senior Center. At Green Mountain Nature Trail, the photogenic covered bridge has a new roof.

In New Hope, the new Worley Park will have green space with walking trails and a playground. Upgrades to Sharon Johnston Park are in the design stage.

County leaders are working with Huntsville on the master plan for Ditto Landing. Gordon said to expect an important announcement soon.

What’s next?

Mayor Battle confirms that more good things are on the horizon. “Huntsville is in an enviable position to capitalize on the momentum we’ve built and choose the type of projects that will add to our high-quality environment,” he said.

Madsen thinks that entertainment is the next big growth area. The Orion Amphitheater is already a crowning jewel and attracting attention nationwide. On a smaller scale, music events are growing organically, he said, such as Five Points Porch Fest, Women in Music gatherings and the Sluice punk festival.

continued on page 24

What I love most about living in Huntsville is that you get a great mix of quiet life with the city feel in terms of things to do. Cost of living is awesome as well.

My overall experience has been a positive one thus far. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of great people in my short time here.

I explain Huntsville to be a wonderful melting pot that helps to give the city all of its flavor. Definitely a place that is headed towards major growth.

– Joy Martin –

Trader Joe’s, moved from New York

My experience living in Huntsville has been extraordinary, from my first day of college at Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. I have grown in so many ways during my tenure in this city.

I always like to brag on a few things about Huntsville: our strong economy, our smart people who are earning higher salaries than comparable locations, and the number of educational opportunities. Additionally, I dare not forget that with everything going on in our great city, we still have an easy commute to anywhere we need to go across the city.

continued from page 23

In early 2022, Huntsville hired its first Music Officer, Matt Mandrella, to advocate for the City’s growing music sector and help oversee music-related planning initiatives and economic opportunities.

The City’s new Music Office promotes numerous events, including the full month of September which was dedicated to growing our music scene. It included more than 100 events, kicking off with Launchpad, a three-night free concert series in Big Spring Park. Other events included a Music Biz Roadshow, Jazz in the Park, Women in Music Week, a school instrument drive, and much more.

“Music Month, and our city’s overall initiative, is a great opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our music culture, shine a brighter spotlight on our music community, inspire creation, establish new concepts, encourage collaborations, and help champion Huntsville’s appeal to musicians and fans through its reputation as being a music-friendly city,” said Mandrella.

Music, the outdoors, fun stuff to do – they all blend to create the richly layered backdrop of the Huntsville region. That environment brings people together, and those relationships are what make a community appealing. It comes as a result of collaboration of leadership across the region.

“Quality of life really is feeling like you are connected to something bigger than yourself – that you are a part of a broader community,” Madsen said.

“It’s that opportunity for us to get out, be together as Huntsvillagers, feel like we are part of this community,” he said. “That’s what really makes you feel loyal to or excited about living someplace, is when you feel those connections.”

We’ve greatly enjoyed living in Huntsville for the past eight months. We’ve found the city to be the perfect balance of inspiring and intellectually stimulating professionally, and warm and welcoming socially.

It’s a hidden gem, plain and simple. You have to see it and experience it firsthand. From the natural beauty of the mountains, lakes and rivers to the vibrant social life of the restaurant, music, and sports scene, Huntsville has big city amenities with a small town feel.

I’ve had the good fortune of working with some incredible people from Huntsville over the past 7+ years. Beyond the warm hospitality that makes it truly unique, the city is full of talented and intelligent professionals that will challenge you.

– John Whitcomb –FTI Consulting, moved from Washington, DC

– Deborah Storey

I love Huntsville’s culture and diversity (in people, careers, religion, activities, etc.)

– Candice Howell –Team Jacobs, moved from Georgia

ALABAMA A&M MARCHING BAND © DOKK SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

BUSINESS CONNECTIVITY

WITH EMBEDDED DATA SECURITY AND BUSINESS WI-FI

NAITA

Your Partner in the Global Marketplace

Navigating export controls, expanding through foreign military sales or direct commercial sales, looking for an international partner, beginning to understand the export process? NAITA is your partner in the global marketplace.

The North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA), founded in 1983, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary providing international trade education, training, advocacy, and business networking to promote economic growth.

“NAITA’s primary goal is to provide targeted training and business networking to facilitate export success,” said Anne Burkett, NAITA executive director.

NAITA Signature Events celebrating 40 years include:

■ FMS Industry Day with the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC)

■ World Trade Day with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

■ Trade Compliance Roundtable Series highlighting Technical Assistance Agreements and How China, Russia and Others Are Weaponizing Cyber to Undermine our Democracy & National Security

Mediacom Business Internet is now more powerful. Including Advanced Data Security, an A.I.-driven first line of defense against malicious cyber threats, plus Business Wi-Fi with separate connections for customers and employees. Experience highcapacity broadband with no data caps on a network with over 99.99%* reliability. It’s the connectivity your business needs right now.

■ NAITA 40th Anniversary Golf Classic and Bourbon & BBQ Networking Social

■ Hosting international business delegates from Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein

■ Business Opportunities in Taiwan’s 5G, AI, and Defense Industry

“NAITA is often a local company’s first point of contact when they begin exploring export opportunities,” said Amanda Berkey, NAITA programs & operations manager. “Ongoing assistance in the fluid export control and compliance arena is especially critical for our aerospace, defense, and high-tech companies.”

“NAITA was pleased to welcome the Swiss Aerospace Cluster and introduce our colleagues from Europe, including the Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the U.S., to our regional space economy,” said Barbie Peek, 2023 NAITA president and chief business development officer for the Port of Huntsville. “NAITA is a valuable resource in connecting our companies and communities to the world.”

Key officials from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Dynetics, Blue Origin, Beyond Gravity, ULA, UAH, and elected and community leaders met with the delegation. The Alabama Department of Commerce, Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber, Port of Huntsville, NAITA, and TVA highlighted our regional economy.

Many entities work together on the NAITA Board to shape our region’s international business strategy with input and support from over 100 member companies and service providers.

NAITA welcomes all companies’ and stakeholders’ involvement in building the programs and infrastructure to make our region a Globally Competitive Community. Further information is available at naita.org

INVESTOR PROFILE

David Perez President & CEO, Phoenix

Tell us about Phoenix and your mission.

Huntsville Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc., doing business as Phoenix, is a 501c3 mission-based nonprofit that operates in nine north Alabama counties and seven states. Phoenix offers several accredited vocational rehabilitation programs through a business and work model. By partnering with SourceAmerica, the AbilityOne Program, numerous Department of Defense, Department of Justice, NASA organizations, various commercial enterprises, and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Phoenix provides a continuum of services, culminating in long-term stable employment with competitive pay and benefits.

What should the community know about your team?

Phoenix has licensed professionals leading accredited programs to assist individuals with disabilities in preparing, securing, and maintaining quality long-term employment. It also operates a modern facility in southwest Huntsville, providing ISO-certified products to the U.S. Government. These products represent customers such as the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Dept. of Veteran Affairs. Phoenix also provides various commercial kitting and packaging services, as well as operates a Governmental Services division providing multiple services for the U.S. Army Garrison, Redstone Arsenal, and its 74 tenant organizations.

How has being part of HREGI helped widen your circle?

Phoenix is a complex organization serving multiple customers with differing agendas. HREGI has allowed us to join our major customers face-to-face through its “Update” series and hear about new initiatives, priorities, or concerns. We specifically attend the annual Redstone Update and State of the Schools events. HREGI has also provided Phoenix with significant networking opportunities, as evidenced by our partnership during the coronavirus pandemic. The Chamber is so diverse and offers so much that most organizations would be surprised at the number of ways they will align with your mission and objectives. Being a mission-based nonprofit operating in a defense contractor world, I can speak to and affirm that the Chamber continues to offer so much that relates explicitly to Phoenix and our mission to serve a population of individuals who continue to be underserved!

continued on page 29

The Countdown Begins

Huntsville lands 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships

The Huntsville/Madison County community is thrilled to announce, in partnership with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and U.S. Paralympics Cycling, that the Rocket City has been awarded the prestigious 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.

This premier event will bring approximately 600 of the world’s top athletes, along with their support staff and families, to Huntsville over Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, 2026. The UCI holds the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships just once per year, and these have only been held in the U.S. on one occasion: in 2014 in Greenville, South Carolina.

in Huntsville was the first UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup round ever held in the United States. Prior to that, Huntsville also hosted two U.S. Opens, primarily for American athletes.

“Our community is up for this new challenge, and we can’t wait to have the athletes come back,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “We loved to watch them compete. Our city is proud and thankful for the opportunity to host them again.”

For Team USA, this event will be even more important because in 2026 athletes will be in the final two years of preparation for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, which is projected to be one of the most inclusive Olympic and Paralympic Games in history.

“Our athletes have said over and over how much they felt the support of this community every time they return to Huntsville, and it means the world to them,” said Julie Dussliere, chief of Paralympics & internally managed sports at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). “We are so excited to return here in 2026 to put on an even bigger and better show for this community and nations from around the world.”

The 2026 UCI Para-cycling World Championships will be held in Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the U.S. and fourth largest in the world. The daily competition schedule will include time trials and road races with different types of cycles, including two-wheeled cycles, handcycles, tandems and tricycles. No tickets are needed to watch the races, and it’s a fantastic and inspiring event to watch with your family or company. There will also be plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Sponsorships are also available – please contact Erin Koshut at ekoshut@hsvchamber. org for more information.

This competition will be much larger than the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup round recently hosted in Huntsville over the Memorial Day holiday. The recent UCI World Cup featured 350 elite athletes from 40 countries who competed in different types of Para-cycling races. It was the third UCI World Cup round of the season, as athletes prepared to compete in the 2023 UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. In fact, these are currently underway in Glasgow and across Scotland, August 3-13.

“After a fantastic round of the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup, I am delighted that Huntsville will again welcome the world’s best para-cyclists in 2026, this time for their leading annual event on the road,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “This is a welcome return to the United States, just two years before the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.”

The UCI is the world governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. It is based in Aigle, Switzerland, and, amongst its 10 different disciplines, organizes road and track races each year leading up to the UCI World Championships in a variety of cities around the world. The May 2023 event

L-R: Chamber President & CEO Chip Cherry, Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon, USOPC’s Julie Dussliere, and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

Scoping Abroad

Hopping across the pond to attend & research UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in Dumfries, Scotland

One of the successes of our previous Para-cycling events is our research efforts to understand what other organizers have done and what teams and athletes expect from these experiences. Winning the opportunity to host the 2026 UCI Para-Cycling World Championships is no different.

Phoenix has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Para-cycling races in Huntsville. Tell us why you’ve been involved.

Our relationship with the Chamber goes back decades, but none so telling as during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. Phoenix was asked to use our sewing capacity to make protective masks since none were available for local healthcare providers. We were able to produce 10,000 masks, with the help of Facebook, to make our doctors and nurses safer. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber was vital in realizing and brokering this multi-faceted solution.

Following this partnership, we were made aware of a lesserknown priority of the Chamber, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially concerning people with disabilities. Phoenix was asked to support and sponsor the first-ever Para-cycling event in Huntsville. It was a fantastic opportunity as this initiative aligns perfectly with the Phoenix Mission and brings awareness to the contributions made by all people with disabilities. This was not a one-time event, as evidenced by the Chamber’s continuing commitment to Paracycling, bringing two additional events to Huntsville, including a World Cup. In 2026, we will host the World Championships!

I was grateful to have the opportunity to research the 2023 UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in Scotland. While these Championships were part of what is called Super Worlds in Glasgow, the Para-cycling races were held two hours south of Glasgow. This created their own contained event, for the most part. The World Championships award one World Champ in each discipline with the coveted rainbow jersey. The World Champ gets to sport that world-renowned jersey at every race they compete in, for an entire year.

The World Championships are still four days of racing – like the World Cup we hosted in Huntsville this past May –but there are more athletes representing more countries. Additionally, there is a larger presence of UCI personnel and commissaires (cycling judges) affiliated with a Championship. The race office, volunteer HQ and all classification was done on a nearby college campus (which also served as location for the start and finish for the road races).

The time trials started and finished in the city center. An interesting note for the required training rides, they started at a certain time, and it was a group start – which kept more riders together on the closed and semi-closed roads.

The village set-up was different in both locations and sounds like much of that was determined by the local hosts. Where the World Championships really differed from the World Cup was in the medal ceremonies, volunteer support, and the production value of the race. More to come on that as we distill and plan for what Huntsville wants to show the world in 2026!

–Erin Koshut

Having attended the last three events and seeing the magnitude of time, effort, and resources required, it is easy to see that the Chamber’s commitment goes far beyond simple support. Through its commitment, the Chamber has affirmed all people’s rights to view and participate in activities that have historically not offered access to people with disabilities.

College Students + Companies Internship

& Co-Op Meet-Up over the holiday season

No matter how far away you roam to attend school, we invite all college students to a unique event on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Chamber – “Huntsville: ASmartPlace College Career Fair.” Some local university students call Huntsville “home” during the school year while others return home to the Rocket City after a few months away. As the fall semester wraps up, we invite students to take advantage of their time off to explore career opportunities here in the Rocket City. We are collaborating with colleges and universities in and around the Huntsville area and across the Southeast to invite their students to visit with local employers. Students of all majors and all grade levels are welcome, and participating employers will be offering varying types of opportunities – both full-time and part-time work, as well as co-ops and internships. Many school alumni groups will be present to welcome students and offer supporting resources for career exploration.

PARENTS: if your child is currently enrolled in college and able to attend this event on December 12 from 3–5pm, please encourage them to register and participate. We understand a few colleges will still be holding final exams that week, so if your son or daughter is still away at school, you’re welcome to drop by and get some information.

LOCAL EMPLOYERS: if you are offering job opportunities, co-ops, or internships that may be a good fit for a recent college graduate or current college student, we encourage you to register on hsvchamber.org

QUESTIONS? Contact Annie Davis at the Chamber by calling 256-535-2020 or emailing adavis@hsvchamber.org

Upcoming Chamber Workforce Events

Companies, we want to help you plan ahead in your recruiting efforts. Here is a list of upcoming events to add to your calendar:

@ Auburn University

Wednesday, Oct. 18

(registration for this event is closed)

@ University of Tennessee

Thursday, Nov. 2

(registration open at time of publication)

@ University of Alabama

Tuesday, March 26

ReLaunch Job Fair

Tuesday, Oct. 24 • 9 a.m.–1 p.m. @ First Baptist Church in Huntsville

Huntsville: ASmartPlace College Career Fair

Tuesday, Dec. 12

(see story on opposite page)

cm.hsvchamber.org/events

Building Huntsville and North Alabama for 40 years

At Robins & Morton, we unite decades of experience with innovative construction methods to deliver exceptional results.  We build safely and with integrity, committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations and leaving a lasting, positive impact on the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re building something great.

chamber staff

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Executive Staff

Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO

Meghan Chambliss , director of governance support & special projects

Economic Development & Workforce

Lucia Cape , CCE, senior vice president

Erin Koshut , executive director, Cummings Research Park

Lyndsay Ferguson , vice president, workforce

Ken Smith , senior director, research & information services

Ross Ivey, senior director, industry relations

Annie Davis , director of talent initiatives

Beth Zinn , program manager, Driving Possibilities

Finance & Administration

Mary McNairy, IOM, vice president

Joe Watson , facilities supervisor

Kim Weeks , accounting specialist – receivables

Dionne Scales , accounting & HR specialist

Diana Baccus , director of event management

Laura Carr, event specialist

Stefanie Davis , resource desk coordinator

Government & Public Affairs

Mike Ward , CCE, senior vice president

Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI)

Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations

Investor Relations

Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations

Lakeysha Brown , director of member engagement

Richard Bigoney, membership account executive

Dennis Euting , membership account executive

Crystal Baker, retention specialist

Marketing & Communications

Claire Aiello , IOM, vice president

Kristi Sherrard , creative director

Hiroko Sedensky, web designer

Kayla Brown , director of strategic communications

Small Business | Economic Inclusion & Diversity

Ashley Engles-Ross , vice president, small business

ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Redstone Gateway Buildings 8200 & 8300

SHOP LOCAL-OPOLY is back for a second year! Now through December 1, shoppers are encouraged to shop merchants on the LOCAL-OPOLY board. You can use pages 33-34 as your game board. Rules and drawing info are on the next page. First prize is $650 in gift cards to the merchants on the board, Second prize is $400 in gift cards, and Third prize is $250 in gift cards.

SHOP LOCAL-OPOLY is back for a second year! Now through December 1, shoppers are encouraged to shop merchants on the LOCAL-OPOLY board. You can use pages 33-34 as your game board. Rules and drawing info are below. First prize is $650 in gift cards to the merchants on the board, Second prize is $400 in gift cards, and Third prize is $250 in gift cards.

HOW TO PLAY

IMPORTANT DATES

• The game will run from September 29, 2023 –December 1, 2023 (5 p.m.)

• Entries must be returned to the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber by December 1 at 5 p.m.

• Winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on December 7.

RULES

• To enter, you must present 3 receipts from participating businesses (shown on front) dated within the game timeframe AND this completed game board (see below) . Receipts and the back page of your game board may be returned either in person or via email to resourcedesk@hsvchamber.org .

Name Phone Email Shop LOCAL-OPOLY and be entered to win as much as $650 in gift cards from participating companies!

• You can enter multiple times. Three receipts equals one entry.

• Three winners will be announced on Dec. 7! Winners can pick up their gift cards at the Chamber starting Dec. 8 during regular business hours. 225 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 256-535-2000

• hsvchamber.org

Redstone Profile: COL Joseph C. Alexander, U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC)

The U.S. Army Redstone Test Center, known as RTC, has a rich history on Redstone Arsenal. With more than 14,000 acres, or about one-third of the land area of the Arsenal, RTC has been providing cutting-edge test and evaluation support for our customers since the early 1950’s.

COL Joseph Alexander, a career Army aviator, assumed command of RTC in March 2023 after serving as an Army acquisition professional for several years with Program Executive Office, Aviation. COL Alexander leads a workforce consisting of more than 1,300 highly skilled professionals including Department of the Army Civilians, Active-Duty Army Experimental Test Pilots, and government contractors. More than half of RTC’s workforce consists of engineers or engineering technicians educated in almost every engineering and physics discipline. These subject matter experts represent the backbone of RTC and are dedicated to the mission of providing the safest and most effective weapon systems to our Soldiers in the field.

As with many tenants on the Arsenal today, RTC has an interesting history. RTC is part of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, known as ATEC, which is headquartered in Aberdeen, Maryland. ATEC is the Army’s centralized Test Command that reports directly to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. Our current organizational structure is the result of a Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC. In 2010, the Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) relocated from Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) to Redstone Arsenal. ATTC combined with the Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC) here on the Arsenal, bringing together decades of experience to become the world class organization we are today.

RTC is the Army’s premier developmental test center for the testing of aircraft, aviation systems, missiles, and sensors. We test and

evaluate almost everything found on an aircraft and that flies in the air. This includes weapons, systems, systems-of-systems, missiles, sensors -- the list goes on. If a Soldier utilized a piece of equipment or weapons system over the past 70 years in defense of our country, there’s a good chance RTC provided test support.

RTC’s test and evaluation mission also extends to what are known as legacy weapon systems, such as Hellfire and TOW missiles, even after they are in the hands of Soldiers. One such example is a mission we have performed for decades known as the Stockpile Reliability Program, or SRP. Essentially, RTC validates the shelf life of a particular weapon or system so it can potentially be extended and available for use years into the future, thus saving millions of dollars annually by reducing the amount of new and costly production.

RTC’s critical test and evaluation mission involves testing that can sometimes be credited with some of the noise and booms you hear on the south end of the Arsenal. Our aviation mission can be seen in the skies above with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft piloted by our highly skilled experimental test pilots. Rest assured RTC is not conducting these missions with the intent to rattle your windows or frighten livestock. We make every effort to minimize the noise and disruption to your lives and our community and always wish to remain good neighbors. Due to the nature of the tests we execute, we do not typically publicize exactly what RTC is doing daily. Please know, these important missions directly support Soldiers in the field.

RTC values our relationship with the organizations on the Arsenal and with our community partners. The RTC team is honored to conduct these critical test activities in support of this sacred mission: Truth in Testing!

– Contributed by RTC Public Affairs Office

WE’RE

Open your child’s first savings account through November 30, and Redstone will match the average daily balance – up to $100!

Offer valid 08/31/2023 – 11/30/2023. Must be eligible for membership. Participants in the promotion that open their first savings account at Redstone Federal Credit Union® using valid promotional code, will have their average daily balance over 30 days matched, up to $100. The participant must be between 0-17 years old. Individuals 0-15 years old must have a parent or legal guardian as joint owner on the share savings account. The new savings account must be the first RFCU® savings account for the participant (must have not had a RFCU savings account in the past 12 months). The offer is limited to one bonus per participating member and cannot be combined with any other new savings offer. Bonus will be deposited into the member’s account within 60 days of savings account opening, but no later than January 29, 2024, if the promotion requirements are met. Minimum $5 deposit required to open the savings account; however, no minimum balance is required for the bonus to be paid. Other restrictions apply.

As of August 1, 2023, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the share savings account is 0.45% and is subject to change monthly after share savings account is opened. No minimum balance is required to earn the disclosed APY. The APY is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. Fees and other conditions could reduce the earnings on the account. Please contact RFCU for current share savings rate information. Visit redfcu.org/youth for details and promotional eligibility requirements.

Insured by NCUA.