Focused On You
new chamber members
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Joined in September
116 Noble
Arcadia
Avacal
Bubbles Express Car Wash
Cooper Construction
Datatrust Tower and Telecom
Favor and Wealth
homeRN Huntsville
Hotline Helpdesk
Huntsville Art Supplies
Mastermind Gaming
Onyx Government Services, LLC
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans at Chase Creek
Shrunk3D Huntsville
Sistech Manufacturing
Southern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Supreme Lending
Tangled String Studios
The Ledges
The Salvation Army of Huntsville/Madison County
University Pickers
Woodspring Suites Huntsville
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 October
24e Fitness of Huntsville LLC
All Angles Solutions, LLC
Applied Technical Services
Catering By Narvell
Dave & Buster’s
EWA Warrior Services
Frequency Solutions
Hensel Phelps
Hilton Garden South Redstone
Hospice of Alabama
iXpressGenes, Inc.
Make It Personal
Mid Tenn Group, LLC
Mighty Dog Roofing
Opening Move LLC
Outback Steakhouse
Relax and Release Shampoo and Sleep Spa
Sackey Wellness Ventures, LLC
Script It Lettering Co.
SpaceFactory, Inc.
Stella at Five Points
The Legacy Center, Inc.
Titomic
Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
REGIONAL PARTNERS LEADERSHIP FORUM
AS OF NOVEMBER 11, 2024
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ BlueHalo ■ COPT Defense Properties
Crestwood Medical Center ■ Leidos ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation
Raytheon, An RTX Business ■ SAIC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Torch Technologies ■ Yulista
CHAMBER TRUSTEES
Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Huntsville Coca-Cola ■ Intrepid
Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
Parsons ■ S3, Inc. ■ Science and Engineering Services, LLC (SES)
Sealy Management Company, Inc. ■ SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center
Synovus ■ The Westmoreland Company
PROGRESS PARTNERS
Ability Plus, Inc. ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company ■ Amazon ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. ■ ASRC Federal ■ Baron Weather, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BL Harbert International, LLC ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ Colliers International ■ First Horizon ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC ■ Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ Marsh & McLennan Agency, locally known as J. Smith Lanier & Co. ■ Pearce Construction Company ■ Radiance Technologies, Inc. ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ Robins & Morton ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ SMX ■ SouthState Bank ■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ United Community Bank ■ Venturi, LLC ■ Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP ■ Woody Anderson Ford
PROGRESS INVESTORS
Accenture Federal Services ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Avion Solutions ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Cadence Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ Convergint ■ Corvid Technologies LLC ■ deciBel Research, Inc. ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ FITE Building Company ■ Garver, LLC ■ GTEC ■ HEMSI ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ Higginbotham Insurance ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ Industrial Properties of the South ■ Investor’s Resource ■ L3Harris ■ Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ PALCO ■ Phoenix ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace ■ Quadrus Corporation ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty, Inc. ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Savant Wealth Management ■ Schoel
■ Shee Atiká Enterprises, LLC ■ Signalink, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ Textron Inc. ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ Transcend, The Fearless Company ■ Troy7, Inc. ■ Truist Bank ■ TTL, Inc. ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Vision Excellence Company ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A.
For more information, contact Kristy Drake, Vice President, Investor Relations: 256-535-2036 or kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Oh, What a Night!
Thanks to all who attended our 2024 Annual Outing, held on October 22 at Ditto Landing. We enjoyed a beautiful evening with a sunset on the Tennessee River, friendship, and fireworks.
We heard from Lieutenant General Chris Mohan, Senior Commander of Redstone Arsenal, along with Joseph Pelfrey, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center, and Johnnie Sharp, FBI Assistant Director. Music was performed by Milltowne.
A big thanks to SAIC for being our Presenting Sponsor of the Annual Outing. We hope to see everyone again next year!
– Claire Aiello, IOM
Mission: To prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.
HSVchamber.org
(see staff listing on page 34)
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
AquaLapis by artist Cliff Garten,
editorial staff
publisher Chip Cherry, CCE
editor Claire Aiello, IOM
editorial designer Kristi Sherrard
contributing writers
Kayla Brown
Lucia Cape, CCE
Allison Dillon-Jauken
Ashley Engles-Ross
Erin Koshut
Pace PR advertising
Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Lakeysha Brown lbrown@hsvchamber.org
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.
a message from chip cherry
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders, and Friends:
A few weeks ago, I participated in a Community Transformation Workshop hosted by the United Way of Madison County. The topic of the workshop was HOPE. One of the questions was to name someone you admired, and my focus was not on an individual, rather on a trait. I believe one of the primary reasons our community has done well is we have a core of servant leaders. We are blessed with leaders who are driven by how we can work together to bring about positive change in the community we serve. We are driven to create an environment where all citizens have a chance to succeed.
During an event at the Farnborough Airshow this summer, we had a conversation with a governor from a southeastern state who said that “Huntsville was an economic miracle.” We have delegations visit our community with the goal of discovering the “secret sauce” of our success. In simple terms, the secret is a core of public and private sector leaders who care about moving the community forward, creating a great place to live and raise a family, and creating opportunities across the socio-economic spectrum. These leaders focus on the mission, not who gets credit or whose status is elevated. Thank you to Mayor Tommy Battle, Mayor Paul Finley, Chairman Mac McCutcheon, and the other public sector leaders who set the tone. And thank you to the countless women and men who volunteer their time to help empower what some describe as an economic miracle!
Christmas and the holidays provide an opportunity for you to engage with our region’s small businesses. I encourage you to set your computer aside and explore what your local small businesses have to offer. Shop Local and the money you spend will create more local economic opportunities.
We’re looking ahead to February 5 when we will hold our Annual Membership Meeting at the Von Braun Center. This event is open for registration on hsvchamber.org , and we hope you’ll join us to mark accomplishments of the past year, to thank our current Chair, Sameer Singhal of CFD Research, and install our new Chair, Jeff Samz of Huntsville Hospital. We are also excited to bring you a keynote presentation from Paul Zikopoulos, a future trends expert and VP of Skills at IBM.
On behalf of the Chamber Team and my family, I wish you, your company and employees a blessed Holiday Season and look forward to seeing you at a Chamber Event soon!
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Committee & Board of Directors 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sameer Singhal , Board Chair – CFD Research Corporation
Jeff Samz , Chair-Elect – Huntsville Hospital Health System
Lynn Troy, Immediate Past Chair – Troy7, Inc.
Ron Poteat , Board Chair, Chamber Foundation
Dr. Karockas Watkins, Secretary/Treasurer – Ability Plus, Inc. & Vision Excellence Company
Jami Peyton, Vice Chair, Economic Development – Canvas, Inc.
Ginger Harper, Vice Chair, Economic Inclusion & Diversity – First Horizon
Dave Cook , Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs – Torch Technologies
Chrystal Morgan, Vice Chair, HREGI – The Boeing Company
Beth Sippel , Vice Chair, Investor Relations – Synovus
Ronnie Chronister, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications –Lockheed Martin Corporation
Brett Crain, Vice Chair, Small Business – Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Jason Puckett, Vice Chair, Talent Initiatives – Toyota Alabama
Jeff Gronberg, Liaison, Redstone Regional Alliance – deciBel Research, Inc.
David Fernandes, Chair-Appointed – Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Tyce Hudson, Chair-Appointed – Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC
Srinath Yedla, Chair-Appointed – Yedla Management Company
Graham Burgess, Legal Counsel – Maynard Nexsen
Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-officio Member – City of Huntsville
Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-officio Member – City of Madison
Chairman Mac McCutcheon, Ex-officio Member – Madison County Commission
Chip Cherry, CCE , President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
ELECTED BOARD
Ted Baudendistel , InterFuze Corporation
Blake Bentley, SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
Alka Bhargav, Aum Foundation
David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.
Penny Billings , Cadence Bank
Jason Blount , Keel Point, LLC
Mark Brazeal , Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Katie Comer, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Michael Cox , Raytheon, An RTX Business
Dr. Patti Dare, Obsidian
Melissa Davis , MTA, Inc.
Tyler Evans , Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company
Kevin Fernandez , L2 Mindset
Greg Fortier, SAIC
Owen Franklin , Blue Summit Supplies
Greg Gaddy, Five Stones Research Corporation
Greg Hall , COPT Defense Properties
Scott Hall , Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Josh Herren , Yulista
Jim Holtkamp, ServisFirst Bank
Laura Huckabee-Jennings , Transcend, The Fearless Company
Hank Isenberg , IronMountain Solutions
Michelle Jordan , TARCOG
Sean Kelly, Regions Bank
Tim King , Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)
Clint Kirkland , United Community Bank
Rich Kretzschmar, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
James Lackey, Davidson
Todd May, KBR
Matt Meko, Booz Allen Hamilton
Stephanie Mell , ChurchStreet Family Businesses
Carey Miller, Deloitte LLP
Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi
Alicia Ryan , LSINC Corporation
Angie Sandritter, RippleWorx
Annie Saylor, Simulation Technologies, Inc.
Julie Schumacher, KODA Technologies Inc.
Vergenia Shelton , Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Wayne Sisco, Redstone Federal Credit Union
Nilmini Thompson , Systems Products and Solutions, Inc.
Henry Thornton , Meta Platforms, Inc.
Mike Watkins , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Frank Williams II , Landers McLarty Subaru
Better living starts with taking good care of yourself. At Crestwood Medical Group, our healthcare providers take the time to identify your health risks and can help you prioritize good health. Regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings are important to be healthy now – and to stay well in the future. With same-day appointments and online scheduling, we make it easy to make an appointment right now. You can even see us from the comfort of home via telehealth. 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 , iom
Arcadia development now open in Cummings
Research Park
Arcadia hosted a ribbon cutting on October 29, marking its official opening to the community. Arcadia is a $56.8 million luxury residential apartment community located at 4810 Bradford Drive NW in Cummings Research Park (CRP).
This is the first official mixed-use node from the CRP master plan and covers 432,070 square feet with 250 residential apartments featuring spacious studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Some even have views of the Saturn V at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center! Residents have access to a community clubhouse room, heated saltwater pool, open-air grilling station, fitness center, outdoor lounge with gas fire pits, street-level retail spaces, and a two-level parking deck. Leasing is now open.
Dirt moving for UAH’s new Engineering Building
Site prep is underway for the new engineering building at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Fences are up around the construction site, which is just inside the main entrance on Sparkman Drive. Demolition of the existing site and infrastructure was nearly complete in October, and in early December, the focus will shift to underground utilities and foundation/slab work.
The Jones Engineering Building will be 77,000 square feet, and is named after Raymond B. Jones, longtime business and community leader and past chairman of the UAH Foundation. Work is slated to be finished by summer of 2026.
The building will feature three floors of modernized, world-class research and collaborative teaching facilities that will ensure UAH continues to meet the state’s workforce needs. UAH President Dr. Chuck Karr says 75 percent of the school’s graduates stay in north Alabama to work in our community.
Toyota Alabama grant for Huntsville City Schools
New School Under Construction in Madison County
On October 11, the Madison County School System broke ground on the new Sparkman Intermediate School on McKee Road, which will serve the Harvest and Toney communities. The school is the system’s first new campus in 10 years, and will house students in grades four through six, addressing the area’s growing population and academic needs. It’s expected to have approximately 800 students when it opens in the 2026-2027 school year. The school is built for a maximum capacity of 1,200 students.
“As a district, this school represents an important step forward in our growth. It’s our first new campus since Madison County Elementary and Moores Mill Intermediate were finished in 2014, and we couldn’t be more proud of what it means for our students and community,” said Superintendent Ken Kubik.
New elementary school to be built in Madison
Meanwhile, Madison City Schools broke ground October 29 on a new elementary school. It will be built at 200 Madison Branch Boulevard, which is west of the roundabout on Hardiman Road just past Burgreen Road, near Russell Branch.
It will be the eighth elementary school in Madison and 15th school campus overall, joining three middle schools, two high schools, an alternative school, and a stand-alone PreK school.
The new school doesn’t have a name yet. The Madison Board of Education is currently asking for name suggestions from the community. The school’s opening is targeted for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Torch Technologies delivers $100K of community-donated supplies to North Carolina
Torch Technologies rallied the Huntsville community for hurricane relief in early October. The two-day collection effort brought in approximately 20,000 pounds of donations valued at over $100,000.
On October 10, Toyota Alabama surprised 64 teachers with grants totaling $130,000 in partnership with United Way and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation. The Driving Resilience, Inclusion, Value, and Enrichment (DRIVE) grant program is part of Toyota’s Driving Possibilities™ initiative. Grants will cover classroom updates that improve learning experiences for students and work environments for teachers, hardware and software that improve efficiencies and academic improvement, and curriculum and innovation initiatives that drive learning outcomes. Grants were given to teachers in eight Huntsville City Schools.
The donation drive was a grassroots effort started by Torch Co-Founder Bill Roark, and the supplies and equipment were delivered October 5-6 to North Carolina to assist in relief efforts from Hurricane Helene. The items included non-perishable food, water, generators, chain saws, and other supplies from members of the community along with employees of Torch Technologies, KODA Technologies, and Yulista.
“The response was overwhelming,” said Roark. This is a great example of the giving spirit within our community, and I am proud I could be part of this small effort to help those in need.”
PHOTO: MARTY SELLERS/GTEC
Nominations open for Best Places to Work®
New ‘Wellness
Award’ added to the 2025 lineup
It’s that exciting time of year again – time to nominate your company for the 2025 Best Places to Work®! Visit hsvchamber.org today to start the process.
This annual event not only fosters friendly competition among businesses, but also offers a chance for organizations to be recognized as outstanding workplaces. Best Places to Work honors companies that promote engaged employees, vibrant cultures, and value your team members’ voices. By participating, you can quickly and easily assess employee perceptions of your workplace, gaining valuable insights into your organization’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Introducing the Wellness Award
Thanks to suggestions from the City of Huntsville and Best Places to Work participants, we are thrilled to announce the new Wellness Award, which recognizes companies that excel in fostering employee health, financial security, and overall well-being.
This award honors organizations that:
■ Provide comprehensive benefits
■ Prioritize mental health and work-life balance
■ Inspire and model healthy behaviors
■ Cultivate a culture of care
■ Effectively communicate wellness initiatives
The Wellness Award emphasizes employee benefits and perceptions, highlighting organizations that truly prioritize their workforce’s health and happiness.
In addition to Wellness, employees of participating companies will complete surveys that assess in these six categories: Communication and Resources, Manager Effectiveness, Team Dynamics, Individual Needs, Personal Engagement, and Trust in Leadership. Companies have the option to customize surveys to capture unique feedback by adding scaled or open-ended questions. Surveys are open to both full-time and part-time employees, and all participating companies will receive an online summary report.
Important Dates:
■ Nomination period ends January 31
■ Surveys will start being distributed January 20
■ Survey period ends March 7
■ Contenders will be announced April 7
■ Best Places to Work Luncheon is May 13
We look forward to celebrating your achievements with you in May!
– Ashley Engles-Ross
YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR LANE. OR YOU
SET THE PACE.
Emerging Business of the Year: Towne Park Animal Care Center
Ahead of the holidays, it’s important to keep your furry family members safe. Our Emerging Business of the Year can help with just that! Towne Park Animal Care Center opened its doors in 2023 after second generation veterinarian and owner, John Mark Russell’s father retired.
“My dad, Mark Russell, founded and practiced at Whitesburg Animal Hospital for over 35 years. Part of his retirement was me going off to open my own practice,” Russell said.
In preparation for the food-heavy holiday season, Russell wants to make sure our pets are taken care of. He said if you want to avoid a trip to the vet this year, keep the table scraps and trash closed to keep your animals from getting into the wrong type of food. And for the cat owners, strings and ribbons might seem like fun toys, but they can cause serious problems if ingested by your pet. “You also want to be sure to keep lilies out of reach for cats,” he added.
Russell’s participation in the Small Business Awards began after being nominated by an anonymous contributor. He wanted to take that nomination and show the community the great work his coworkers have put in since opening their practice. If you have a pet emergency this holiday season, you can call or text Towne Park Animal Care Center during their business hours Monday–Saturday at 256-513-9942. They are located at 5780 Oakwood Road NW in Huntsville.
– Kayla Brown
Cultivating Progress
Economic Development Highlights of 2024
The Chamber’s Economic Development team works year-round to support existing industry and to attract new companies to Huntsville/Madison County. As of the end of October, we have supported more than 55 projects in 2024, with eight of those locating or expanding in our market, creating nearly 1,000 new jobs and almost $500 million in capital investment.
In keeping with our Rocket City reputation, most of the announced projects year to date are in our targeted industry of aerospace and defense. Here a just a few recent announcements.
– Lucia Cape, cce
Titomic establishes U.S. headquarters in Huntsville
Titomic is an Australian technology and manufacturing company with an interest in growing its business with U.S. aerospace and defense customers. They have developed a cold spray technology that allows for metal manufacturing and repair that is stronger and lighter than existing methods, and because it does not involve high temperatures, it is safer and more functional in extreme environments. Titomic has established its U.S. operations and manufacturing headquarters in Huntsville. Learn more at titomic.com
Grand Reopening of TMC
For nearly 60 years, Technical Micronics Control (TMC) has served and supported government and commercial industries in need of precision chemical cleaning, environmental testing services, and industrial valve repairs. Starting with the Apollo program and continuing through the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, and today’s Space Launch System, TMC has supported more than 50 major aerospace companies. TMC recently celebrated a grand reopening of its location in Cummings Research Park following a reorganization of its ownership that will position the company for another 60 years of supporting our aerospace industry. For customer testimonials and additional services, see tmccorp.com
SpaceFactory relocates headquarters to Huntsville
After winning a NASA Centennial Challenge for 3D-printed habitats, SpaceFactory became aware of the business possibilities with Marshall Space Flight Center and the quality of life in Huntsville. A few visits later, SpaceFactory and its sister company, PlanetWorks Architecture, decided to move their headquarters from New York to be part of the Rocket City’s ecosystem of aerospace innovation and cutting-edge manufacturing. They are building a new facility near downtown that will create at least 25 new jobs while creating sustainable solutions for the Moon, Mars and Earth. See their website for more information: spacefactory.ai
CFD Research continues to grow
Started by Dr. Ashok Singhal in 1987 in his garage, CFD Research has become one of Huntsville’s small business success stories. Headquartered in Cummings Research Park, CFD Research has locations in Dayton, OH; Fort Walton Beach, FL; and Hollywood, AL. This has been a big year for the company, starting with the spin-out of Kalm Therapeutics and being named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list for the fourth consecutive year. CFD also expanded its facilities in Huntsville with the acquisition of the former Davidson Technologies building, opened its Midwest Research & Development and Operations Center in Ohio, and recently cut the ribbon on its second building in Hollywood. Visit the CFD website for all their news: cfd-research.com
Let’s find a way.
Celebrating a vibrant 13 years of partnership with HMA.
The universal language of the visual arts speaks to our shared human experience, transcending cultural barriers and borders. First Horizon Bank is proud to present Huntsville Museum of Art’s 2024 exhibition, “Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass.” We recognize and are honored to support HMA’s passionate commitment to enriching our community through color, culture and connection.
Small bank roots. Big bank reach.
community profile
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY
TOP 20 EMPLOYERS: HUNTSVILLE & MADISON COUNTY
Winner of 25 Greenwich Excellence and Best Brand Awards.
Synovus is honored to have been recognized once again by Coalition Greenwich for overall satisfaction from our middle market and small business clients. You inspire us every day.
Huntsville/Madison County is home to the U.S. Army Redstone
and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center with a combined 45,700 workers driving a thriving aerospace and
PUBLIC ART DISPLAYS AT HUNTSVILLE’S NEW CITY HALL SHOW TAPESTRY OF TALENT
ALABAMA ARTISTS
Jahni Moore • Ann Moeller • Guadalupe Lanning Robinson • Cynthia Wagner • Yuri Ozaki • David Nuttall • Cal Breed
BY ALLISON DILLON-JAUKEN
Huntsville’s new City Hall is more than just a municipal building; it is a cultural landmark.
From the outset of the project, City leaders were committed to integrating public art in the project per the standards set in Huntsville’s Public Art Master Plan.
Today, City Hall features work by both local and national artists, with each piece thoughtfully selected to celebrate Huntsville’s unique character and history.
continued on page 20
REFLECTING THE BRAILLE SKY
For many, the city of Huntsville has represented a community of explorers. This wall sculpture is an overlaying collage of two skins that draw us to wonder, ponder, and dream of potential exploration: the skin of a body of water over the skin of the universe.
This sculpture of blown glass elements hung over an expanded star chart hopes to poetically describe this impulse of this community to interpret the unknown.
Artist Cal Breed, a native of Florence, AL, is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most seasoned glass artists/sculptors.
He and his wife own and run Orbix Hot Glass in Fort Payne.
Arts Huntsville is proud to manage the Huntsville Public Art Program on behalf of the City of Huntsville. For the City Hall project, we challenged artists to tell the stories of Huntsville: stories of our natural environment, our history, and our people. The artworks in City Hall were selected by Huntsville citizens from every corner of our community, and the process was overseen by Huntsville’s 11-member Public Art Committee – a dedicated group of artists, architects, and design professionals who play a crucial role in curating public art across Huntsville.
THE SPARK , a monumental 6’ x 12’ oil painting celebrates Huntsville’s unique spark of ingenuity and reverence for education. A sweeping vista from Monte Sano features a diverse gathering of children engaged in symbolic activities amidst preserved forests, foothills, and starry skies - honoring our rich heritage while igniting dreams for the future.
Ann Moeller’s work embodies the profound connection between humanity and nature, inspiring wonder, and appreciation for the limitless magic within each individual and the world.
PHOTO: JENNIFER JOHNSON
MIRACLE TERRITORY by Jahni Moore (in his own words) – “This mixed media tryptic seeks to capture the essence of Huntsville, Alabama, past, present, and future. ... The painting is a window to the past and nod toward the future. Portions of the painting are infused with iron rich red clay taken from this very spot where City Hall now stands. The jar of clay taken from this spot sits at the base of the centerpiece as a testament to the common origins, sacred connection, divine imprint, and ingenuity of humanity.”
John “Jahni” Moore is a southern born visual artist. He works primarily in paint and charcoal but often makes use of assemblage and red clay as homage to his southern, Afro-Indigenous roots.
continued on page 22
Photo credit: NASA/SpaceX
PHOTO: JOSÉ BETANCOURT
TRANSFORMATIVE SOIL: TERRA FIRMA
The City of Huntsville is always in a continuous state of becoming what it will next be in context with what it has been in the past. This 11-panel photography-based digital collage art piece incorporates into the work vintage and contemporary images of interesting people, events, objects, folklore, and flora and fauna connected with the city.
A multidisciplinary artist, Cynthia Wagner delves into the intricate internal landscapes and stories of the collective human experience. Her artistic repertoire spans painting, collage, sculpture, and photography, creating a rich tapestry of creativity.
This holiday season, we are thankful for those of you who have trusted us to partner alongside you this year, as well as the individuals and organizations that build up this community we call home. Thank you for trusting us with your professional services; but most importantly, thank you for letting us be a part of your life, vision and community. Happy Holidays!
PHOTOS: JOSÉ BETANCOURT
CITYSCAPE BLOCK BY BLOCK
Necessity met opportunity and material married craft to create beauty and utility. Quilting comes out of a long tradition of frugality and craft. Old clothes and useless scraps of fabric are pieced together in patterns to create useful objects. The art of quilting has a long tradition in the South. Quilting “bees” were social occasions, a chance for women to visit and work together.
Guadalupe Lanning Robinson has been working in Huntsville, AL, since moving from her native Mexico City in 1985. Her work has been shown in the Southeast for over 40 years.
Local and regional Alabama artists Guadalupe Lanning Robinson, Cynthia Wagner, Jahni Moore, Yuri Ozaki, Ann Moeller, David Nuttall, and Cal Breed contribute works that celebrate their vision of Huntsville. This group of artists includes north Alabama natives alongside others who have made Huntsville their home, joining our community from as far away as Mexico, England, and Japan. National artists Shuli Sadé, Cliff Garten, and Ben Butler traveled from New York, California, and Tennessee to bring their broader perspectives to the collection, reflecting our community back to us through their dynamic work. Today, the diverse range of artistic voices represented in City Hall serves as a reflection of the diversity and strength of our community.
DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, a large aerial painting, captures the construction of the new City Hall. An aerial view centered on downtown with the inclusion of many landmarks, key locations of municipal government, and a reason to pause and think of the city from a different perspective. Artistic influence for this project includes the works of Antonio Lopez Garcia and Anna Schmidt. The atmosphere and color palette of the painting is muted, classical and quiet. Huntsville-based artist Yuri Ozaki grew up in a small town in Mie Prefecture on the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Her subject matters include figurative, landscape, cityscape, and still-life.
continued on page 24
PHOTO: HIROKO SEDENSKY
PHOTO: JENNIFER JOHNSON
ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON
David Nuttall, who has methodically biked every street in Huntsville, knows our city in a way only his special map maker mind can. He has created a stunning triptych showing our bright city at its brightest. “All the Lights are On” spans three 4’ x 6’ wood panels (one shown), offering a never-beforeseen view of Huntsville with every street light, parking lot light, stadium light, and floodlight illuminated simultaneously.
Nuttall’s cartographic journey began in Aberfan, South Wales, and led him to Huntsville in 1996. After living in southern England, he found his home in Huntsville, where the Alabama landscape became a new canvas for his evolving artistry.
ALSO ON THE COVER:
Standing sentinel at Huntsville City Hall, AquaLapis (“water stone” in Latin) is a sculpture that delves into the city’s soul, both above and below the surface. It’s a powerful metaphor, crafted from gleaming metal and luminous glass, that reflects the enduring strength that defines Huntsville. Artist Cliff Garten is an internationally recognized sculptor and founder of Cliff Garten Studio in Venice, CA.
AquaLapis serves as a reminder of the unseen power coursing through the earth beneath your feet. The sculpture celebrates not only the visible beauty of Huntsville’s landscape, but also the hidden forces that have shaped its history.
LAY OF THE LAND
is a wide-scale topographical display of Monte Sano, Green Mountain, and the surrounding valleys. Carved by hand from reclaimed poplar trees, this piece offers a unique perspective on the City of Huntsville and the natural elevations that are the foundations and framework the city rests upon.
Ben Butler is a sculptor and public artist working in Memphis, TN, and Quogue, NY.
continued on page 26
PHOTO: JEREMY GREEN
WATERMARKS
Inspired by Huntsville’s deep connection with water and its diverse landscapes, Shuli Sadé conceived this site-specific artwork that pays homage to both water and the city’s iconic architecture. This installation reflects the ongoing evolution in the lives of Huntsville’s residents. It serves as a collective repository of the memories held dear by those who call this city home, honoring the enduring vitality of life across generations.
Sadé is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York. Her commitment to creating site-specific public art projects has led to installations in diverse environments.
The City Hall Public Art Collection is just one example of Huntsville’s commitment to enriching its public spaces with art. Thanks to the leadership and support of the City of Huntsville and private donors, art and creativity infuse our city’s civic landscape. Arts Huntsville looks forward to supporting additional public art initiatives throughout the community as Huntsville continues to grow as a leading destination for art and culture.
– Allison Dillon-Jauken , Executive Director, Arts Huntsville
Arts Huntsville is planning more public art tours at City Hall in 2025 starting in February. Keep an eye on artshuntsville.org and on Arts Huntsville social media channels for more details to be announced soon.
PHOTOS:
Local Tallies
Madison County Election Update
All of Madison County’s incumbents swept their races on the November 5 ballot.
Probate Judge Frank Barger won his race with 75 percent of the vote over Libertarian Jeffrey Johnson.
Mac McCutcheon (left) won his race for County Commission Chairman, gathering 54 percent of the vote to Democrat Guy Sotomayor’s 40 percent and Libertarian Alan Barksdale’s 6 percent. This is McCutcheon’s first elected term. He was appointed to the Chairman’s seat in January by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
In the individual district races, Tom Brandon was re-elected to serve District 1, beating his opponent with 79 percent of the vote.
Steve Haraway was re-elected to the District 2 seat with 70 percent of the vote.
Craig Hill ran unopposed in District 3.
Phil Vandiver won with 76 percent of the vote in District 4.
In District 5, Republican Phil Riddick won with 77 percent of the vote.
In District 6, Violet Edwards, the lone Democrat on the Commission, won her race with 89 percent of the vote.
– Claire Aiello,
iom
INVESTOR PROFILE
Sara Beth Wilcox
Vice President & Division Manager Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
Q: Tell us about Brasfield & Gorrie and the type of work your team does. Brasfield & Gorrie is a construction firm based in Alabama. Founded in 1964, it has grown to become one of the largest construction companies in the U.S., offering a wide range of construction services. We work on projects across various sectors including healthcare, commercial, government, industrial, and infrastructure. Brasfield & Gorrie has been working in Huntsville for 30+ years and has had an office in Huntsville for 13 years. Some of our recent notable projects in north Alabama include NASA Test Stands, HudsonAlpha’s Propst Building, Discovery Life Sciences, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, and the U.S. Federal Courthouse.
Q: What are some of your favorite projects you’ve been involved with, in Huntsville’s recent growth?
This is like picking a favorite child! They are all so unique and special in different ways with the best part being the relationships that are formed over the course of the projects. But if I had to say, I have especially enjoyed our work for the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering. Our work on that campus has been very challenging, but so much fun. It is always rewarding to drive around town and see the buildings we have completed.
Q: What kind of perspective do you bring to the job, as a woman in a lead role in construction?
The unique perspective I bring really stems from my life experience and the opportunities I’ve been given. I think that recognizing my strengths and acknowledging my weaknesses is important for the growth of our team. I’m honored to lead our Huntsville efforts and to have other women in leadership roles to learn from, lean on, and now mentor. Our Brasfield & Gorrie Operational Women’s Network (OWN) has been a helpful support system for me and for other women in our company.
Q: What does Brasfield & Gorrie get from its membership in the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber?
I have really enjoyed the networking opportunities that Chamber events present. But on a larger scale, I think I enjoy seeing how the Chamber works so cooperatively with all the functions of Madison County, the City of Huntsville, the City of Madison and other economic development groups in north Alabama. The accolades that Huntsville has received are not by accident, it’s organizations like the Chamber that are working for the betterment of the area in lock step.
Q: Why do you support the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative?
Our future in north Alabama depends on recruiting sophisticated, high-tech companies who establish and run their businesses here. I know that by supporting HREGI and the Chamber, tremendous effort is going into the recruitment of companies to north Alabama that continue to make us the best place to live, do business, and raise our families.
Spotlight on Para Sports
UAH professor Dr. David Kyle shares his personal experience with para-triathlon
Since 2021, Huntsville has hosted three Paracycling events. In 2026, the Rocket City will host the biggest of them all – the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships. Leading up to this event, our team is on a mission to educate our community about the importance of an event such as this one.
Dr. David Kyle, an assistant professor of Kinesiology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, has been working for years to share information about para sports and has even started several inclusive recreational and competitive para teams in our area. His passion for inclusiveness for the nation’s largest minority group stems from his own experience as a para athlete.
“I raced on the U.S. National Team for paratriathlon for 10, 11 years and actually won 14 national championships and seven world championships,” Kyle shared. This was before triathlons were included in the Paralympics.
In the early 2000’s, Kyle was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He and his wife had just welcomed their third child when he recognized some unusual symptoms. His feet became numb, and that numbness eventually crept up to his chest and took over his whole body. Walking became difficult and fatigue began to take over. With three kids to keep up with, he knew it was time to see a doctor. That’s when they gave him his diagnosis.
“I was very depressed. There are a lot of pictures of me on the couch from that year. I was devasted, really,” he continued. “Learning about staying active and finding something to work towards, a goal, really helped me.”
Now, he works with students at UAH, UNA, and Alabama A&M. Over the last several years, he has introduced abled and disabled students to sports like beep baseball and wheelchair basketball. His efforts are aimed at helping other students better understand the athleticism needed to be para-athletes.
“I tell them it’s a lot like ice hockey. If you can’t ice skate, you can’t play ice hockey. So same thing with wheelchair basketball. The wheelchair is half of it. If you don’t know how to maneuver the wheelchair, then you won’t be good. But all those things you would need in stand-up basketball like power, speed, agility, reaction time, you use those same things in wheelchair basketball and other wheelchair sports.”
Looking ahead to Huntsville hosting the 2026 World Champion-
ships, Kyle agrees that our community puts on a great event. “I’ve been to championships where the course is four feet wide. You can’t even pass because it’s too narrow.”
Our community works hard with several local partners to make sure our athletes are supported, comfortable, and enjoy their experience and that includes one of the world’s most accessible race courses in Cummings Research Park. This upcoming event will also be just two years before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.
Before those games commence, north Alabama will shine a light on athletes from all over the world who represent a multitude of disability types – MS, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, paraplegic/quadriplegic, etc. These athletes not only inspire the everyday individual with the skill level of their sport, but they will also inspire young kids and adults who might be going through a life change or learning to live with a similar disability. We encourage everyone to come support these races over Labor Day weekend in 2026!
– Kayla Brown
Clockwise from top: 1 Dr. David Kyle coaching the UAH Ability Sport Network team; 2 Kyle competed in triathlons after his diagnosis with MS; 3 Kyle went on to compete for Team USA internationally, winning seven world championships
Infrastructure Update
Huntsville Utilities exploring options to increase natural gas capacity
Huntsville Utilities just had an electric rate increase approved in October by a unanimous vote of the City Council. That will allow the utility to address current infrastructure needs and plan for our area’s future growth. We spoke with CEO Wes Kelley to learn more about the longterm plans for electric, water, and natural gas.
He said natural gas is often the utility that people forget, but it is important because of its relationship to our electric system in two ways.
First, customers who use natural gas to heat their homes in the winter are placing less of a load on the electric system during periods of peak consumption. “The more natural gas customers we have in the winter, the less worries we have of meeting peak capacity requirements in the coldest days of the winter,” Kelley explained. “Natural gas helps support a balanced electric system, because we shave those peaks down on those cold winter mornings.”
The second way is for future generation, and finding ways to increase capacity for how much natural gas we can bring here to support the area’s overall utility needs.
“We’ve laid out big, ambitious plans on our water system, and those plans are underway. We are preparing to launch a broad initiative over the next year to look at our electric system and what products and programs and infrastructure are needed to support Huntsville’s electric needs going five, 10, 20 years into the future,” said Kelley. “Natural gas plays a role in that electric conversation, and it plays a role in standing on its own to support our growing
natural gas needs within Madison and Limestone counties.”
Currently, Huntsville Utilities taps into the Black Bear Transmission/AlaTenn pipeline, which draws from the larger Columbia Gulf Transmission and Tennessee Gas Pipelines, and the Southern Natural pipeline. Huntsville Utilities ties into both at Greenbrier, but we are ‘fully subscribed,’ Kelley said.
“What that means is, on cold winter days, those pipelines are pumping as much as they can pump,” he explained. “We have made provisions to ensure adequate gas capacity for normal organic growth in this region for the next couple of years. However, if Huntsville is going to have a large industrial load, or look at other electric generation options, then we’re going to need to talk about additional natural gas supply to this region, specifically northeast Alabama.”
Jackson County currently doesn’t have access to a larger regional pipeline. What natural gas it does have comes through arrangements with the Marshall County Gas District. Kelley said Scottsboro and Jackson County are interested in regional opportunities, and he added that local, state, and federal elected leaders are aware of the need. The issue needs further study and engineering analysis, and that could come next.
“We don’t have an immediate problem, but we don’t want to get where we have a problem, and all of these things take many years to execute,” Kelley said.
Electric improvements
As far as electricity needs, Mayor Tommy Battle and the City Council are working with Huntsville Utilities to launch a Community Energy Resource Plan (CERP), working with about a dozen stakeholders for a deep dive on the changing energy landscape. The group will present recommendations next summer on how to address our community’s future needs. Topics include growth trends, transmission and distribution smart grid opportunities, energy efficiency and demand response, and local generation options.
“We’ll look at what investments in infrastructure and programs and services we should be looking to roll out to keep Huntsville Utilities financially stable and able to meet the community’s long term infrastructure needs,” said Kelley.
– Claire Aiello
, iom
Retailer of the Year: Sultry Company
This holiday season, consider checking out Sultry Company, our Small Business Retailer of the Year. Sultry was established in 2016 by Tiara Trudeau-Gullotta, whose mission is to increase education around sexual wellness and health. Her team offers guidance and resources to cater to a diverse range of needs.
The crew at Sultry has created special gift boxes for the holidays, designed to help clients connect with each other. Trudeau-Gullotta says these gift options should enhance connections and celebrate love in all of its forms. The business is located at 11531 Memorial Parkway SE in Huntsville.
After winning the Retailer of the Year award, Trudeau-Gullotta says she is excited to continue to share and educate our community about her business. She looks forward to continued partnerships with other local companies to help build even more awareness.
“This award signifies a collective advancement for our clients and the industry as a whole, promoting a more informed and open dialogue around our mission,” she said.
A fun fact about Sultry is that it was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network for its impact in the community. The business has collected a good bit of recognition both locally and nationally over the last few years, and Trudeau-Gullotta says she is excited to keep up that hard
JEFF
Nonprofit of the Year: Huntsville Botanical Garden
Our Small Business Award winner for Nonprofit of the Year comes as no surprise to those involved in our community. The Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG) is known for its endless acts of service to our area and has won many other awards for just that. Its mission is to connect people to plants in order to improve the quality of life in our region, and the team at HBG is dedicated to their initiatives in plant science, conservation, and educational programming for all ages. Part of this is fulfilled through youth camps, programs, and professional development opportunities.
Thanks to their involvement and partnerships in the community, HBG is able to put on one of the best light shows in the southeast region. Galaxy of Lights is a walkable and drivable lightshow that beams with holiday cheer every single year. From November 15–December 31, the epic light display helps raise money for the garden’s upcoming year. Aside from the typical show spectacle, a 3K and 5K race is held to help support the mission and future activities.
HBG also relies on volunteers to help make events like Galaxy of Lights happen. They are always looking for volunteers to assist in their various educational programs. Volunteers range from 15 years old and beyond. To learn more about volunteering, please visit their website at hsvbg.org/get-involved/volunteer.
– Kayla Brown
HBG
TAll Eyes on Huntsville
New York-based PR firm helping to amplify the work of local companies
he second year of Pace Public Relations’ partnership with the Huntsville community has been an eventful one so far. Our team has garnered press results that are raising Huntsville’s profile in both local and national media outlets.
We traveled to Huntsville with Commercial Observer’s Anna Staropoli for her piece, “When Music is the Economic Development Engine.” Interviews with Mayor Tommy Battle, Music Officer Matt Mandrella, and others led to a fascinating and informative piece on how music and culture have been woven into the city’s workforce and economic development plans.
NBC News visited the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering for a national broadcast piece with anchor Gadi Schwartz. The piece showcased ASCTE as a blueprint for STEMfocused education and career preparation. Gadi even got the chance to fly drones on camera and interview some of ASCTE’s best and brightest!
Our team was able to head down to Huntsville to attend the South Star Music Festival. We danced our boots off in the rain at John Hunt Park. Outlets that covered the event included Variety, Relix, Stereogum, Alabama Public Radio, and many others.
The South’s Best-Kept Travel Destination” was published in Forbes in August. Here’s an excerpt: “Huntsville offers much more than you might expect, from its intriguing aerospace heritage to a surprisingly vibrant culinary scene and various activities.” She attended an adult Space Camp session with her husband at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, visited restaurants downtown, and discovered the peaceful destinations of the Huntsville Museum of Art and the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Hurricane season was brutal this year. The folks at Huntsville’s Skyfire AI have been on the ground transforming relief efforts with drones for disaster response, and their work has been covered on NBC Nightly News and The TODAY Show. They were also featured in tech publication Tech Bullion for a conversation about Elevating Public Safety with AI. Our team is excited to continue our work with Huntsville’s growing drone industry.
When we first came to Huntsville, we were blown away by the amount of things to do and see in the city. That holds true for the media as well. We sent reporter Jordi Lippe McGraw to Huntsville for the first time. Her piece, “Why Huntsville, Alabama Could Be
As we continue to engage with Huntsville, we are tracking metrics and overall sentiment in the media. The results are positive. Huntsville representatives have been in the news commenting on milestone moments in space and celestial events, hospitality, artificial intelligence, genomics, and cybersecurity. The city itself is recognized nationally as one of the top places to live for millennials, best places to buy a home, and best places to live for families in Yahoo! Finance and U.S. News & World Report based on factors such as job availability, cost of living, and desirability. Huntsville doesn’t win these accolades because of a PR firm, though. You earn it on your own. We’re just excited to help spread the word. Over the course of our engagement thus far, Pace has been able to dive deep into the unique aspects of Huntsville and its targeted industries. At this stage, not only are we reaching out to the media, they are coming to us to speak with experts from Huntsville!
– Pace Public Relations
Clockwise from top: 1 (L-R) During NBC News’ visit to ASCTE, student Brycen Borden shows some of his work to school president Matt Massey and reporter Gadi Schwartz; 2 Schwartz talks with other students about some of their cyber work; 3 (L-R) Pace PR’s Annie Scranton and Rose Levy enjoy the South Star Music Festival.
chamber staff
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO
Staci Sellers director, governance support & special projects
Economic Development // CRP // Talent Initiatives
Lucia Cape , CCE, senior vice president
Erin Koshut , executive director, Cummings Research Park
Lyndsay Ferguson vice president, talent initiatives
Ken Smith , senior director, research & information services
Annie Davis , director, talent initiatives
Beth Zinn , program manager, Driving Possibilities™
Finance & Administration // Events
Mary McNairy, IOM, vice president
Joe Watson facilities supervisor
Kim Weeks , accounting specialist – receivables
Dionne Scales , accounting & HR specialist
Diana Baccus , director, event management
Laura Carr, event specialist
Stefanie Smoot , 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 // Membership
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Lakeysha Brown , director, membership & engagement
Richard Bigoney membership account executive
Crystal Baker, retention specialist
Marketing & Communications
Claire Aiello , IOM, vice president
Kristi Sherrard , creative director
Kayla Brown , director, strategic communications
Hiroko Sedensky web designer
Small Business // Economic Inclusion & Diversity
Ashley Engles-Ross , vice president, small business
ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS
Support for CRP DefenseTech Accelerator
First cohort to launch in January
We are excited about the launch of Cummings Research Park’s DefenseTech Accelerator, an effort between the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, CRP, and TrebleOne.
We want to say a special thank you to five local companies who are helping to support this first cohort: Regions Bank, Synovus, Simulation Technologies (SimTech), Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis, and Signalink. The Accelerator utilizes the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program, which is a statewide initiative where local companies and individuals with significant tax liability can allocate 50 percent of their taxes to stay local. This includes the Alabama income tax, state insurance premium tax, state public utility license tax, and state portion of the financial institution excise tax. Thanks to each of these five companies for helping to grow our entrepreneurial community!
Fifteen companies have applied to be in the first cohort. The first cohort has five openings, and we will share more about the selected companies soon. Starting in January, these companies will participate in a 12-week Accelerator program designed to help grow and scale their products in the defense and commercial markets. The purpose of the Accelerator is to grow our defense industrial base with the next generation of small businesses focused on technology products.
“Our country’s adversaries are developing major weapons systems nine years faster than the United States. These adversaries are
appropriating intellectual property and rapidly integrating these capabilities into their military forces, which could potentially lead to a future conflict where the U.S. might find itself at a significant disadvantage,” said Chris Wimmer, VP of Business Development at Treble One. “It’s imperative that government, investment communities, startups, and primes unite to accelerate the defense ecosystem.”
The Accelerator’s goal is for 75 percent of graduates to secure at least one prime contract with the U.S. federal government, secure at least one subcontract with a U.S. federal government prime contractor, partner with at least one prime contractor or OEM, or raise at least $100,000 in private capital funding within 12 months of their participation.
While this is just the first DefenseTech Accelerator cohort to kick off, in January we will also begin recruitment of tax credit donors for the second cohort of the Accelerator. Ideally the second cohort would open for applications in Spring 2025 and begin later that summer. If you missed out on donating taxes for a credit in the first round, or want to learn more, please contact Erin Koshut, executive director of Cummings Research Park at 256-535-2086 or ekoshut@hsvchamber.org.
Information about the first cohort when available, as well as any future announcements can be found at cummingsresearchpark.com/ defensetechaccelerator
– Erin Koshut & Claire Aiello, iom
Thanks to Our Donors
