august 2002 review
ini tiatives h u n t s v i l l e madison county
chamber of commerc e
Firepower innovations in aerospace & defense Infinite Journeys
05
Did You Hear the One About . . . Red Hot R & D
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09
ini tiatives H u n t sv i l le / Ma d is o n Co u n ty • Ch a mb e r of Co m m e r c e
f eat u re s cover
Infinite Journeys
05
Did You Hear the One About . . .
09
Red Hot R & D
11
B2B – The Hard Way
12
Hitting a Bullet with a Bullet
e-Mentoring Takes Off
12
Vision for the Future
19
NASA's Ocular Screening System Setting the Standard
23
The Space Launch Initiative Advancing Technology for a New Space Age
It Will Take Rocket Scientists
27
Firepower:
innovations in aerospace & defense
SMDC Deals in Security . . . Among Other Things 29
Cover design by Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Publications Department.
de v el o p m e n t s
Member Developments
14
Economic Indicators
20
Economy-at-a-Glance
21
Economic Development Highlights
29
Small Business Award Winners
30
Chamber Events
30
Ribbon Cuttings
s t a ff
Publication Manager
Rikki Thomas
Managing Editor
Barbara Nash, APR
Contributing Editor
Joy Dawes Ken Smith
Contributing Writers
Shannon Belew Marianne Higgins, APR Holly Dawn Hunter Mike Kelley Bob Ward
Account Executive
R.D. Patterson
Publisher
Jeff Thompson
mission
The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County is to prepare, develop and promote our community for ecomonic growth.
contact
Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County P.O. Box 408 Huntsville, AL 35804-0408 256.535.2000 www.initiativesreview.com
President/CEO
Brian Hilson
Permission to publish any part of Initiatives Review is hereby granted exclusively to any non-profit institution and to any publisher for broadcast or publication to the general public. Credit “ Initiatives Review, a Publication of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville / Madison County.”
03 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Infinite Journeys To open the frontiers of space, NASA and its partners are rewriting the propulsion paradigm...
Americans travel faster, farther and more safely today than at any point in history. We cross continents in hours;
Achieving these breakthroughs in propulsion technology will require that we invest in some new facilities.
the globe in a day.
But the conventional propulsion technologies that have made air, sea and land travel an everyday part of our lives on Earth can reach only so far, so fast into space. Our exploration of the solar system is hampered by our reliance on heavy chemical fuels, which lack the high energy output to conduct the sustained, robust science missions needed to truly explore our neighboring worlds. Today, NASA and its partners seek to overhaul the propulsion paradigm that for so long has limited the infinite possibilities of spaceflight. At the forefront of this effort is the In-Space Propulsion Program, part of the Advanced Space Transportation Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Led by the Office of Space Science in Washington, D.C., the In-Space Propulsion team also includes Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio; Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.; Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas; Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.; and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. – as well as government, industry and academic partners around the nation. Together, these top-level technologists are developing new propulsion alternatives as superior to conventional systems as chemical fuel is to travel by horseback.
NASA's Propulsion Research Center
The Marshall Center soon will become home to a state-ofthe-art research facility devoted to pursuing more powerful, more efficient propulsion technologies. At the new Propulsion Photo courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center Research Laboratory, scheduled Space flight could take many forms in the future – the for completion and operation possibilities are endless. by June 2004, scientists from NASA, the Department of In the meantime, these new facilities Defense, the Department of Energy, and technologies are being developed. universities and industry will pool their Here are some of the innovative concepts skills and expertise for the purpose of now under investigation: proving scientific principles and testing a host of advanced propulsion concepts. Advanced Electric Propulsion Among these: antimatter propulsion – Electric propulsion technologies use which draws the most energetic reaction electrical energy derived from solar or known to physics from the collision and nuclear sources to accelerate a propellant, mutual annihilation of matter and anticonverting its energy into thrust. Such a matter – and beamed energy propulsion, system would enable vehicles to travel in which laser or microwave-powered faster, carry larger payloads and accomspacecraft could be driven by groundplish broader mission objectives than based or orbiting energy sources separate conventional propulsion methods. from the vehicle itself. Both technologies Electric propulsion technology has could outperform conventional chemical been successfully flight-tested aboard the fuels and hold dramatic promise for ion propulsion vehicle Deep Space 1. space propulsion applications. Launched by NASA in 1998, the craft Other research at the new labs will was powered by ionized xenon gas, which support ongoing in-space propulsion can be electrically accelerated to speeds of efforts to test solar, plasma, simulated more than 18 miles per second. fission and advanced chemical propulsion Meanwhile, back on Earth, a second technologies. ion-based test engine – the twin of the In i t i a t i ves August 2002
05
NASA Centers: Center Mission Areas and Centers of Excellence
Marshall Space Flight Center - Alabama Mission Areas: Space Transportation Systems, Microgravity & Space Optics Manufacturing
Infinite Journeys. . . continued from page 05
Space Propulsion Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 7,239
one that powered Deep Space 1 – continues to make research history at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where it logged its 23,000 th continuous hour of operation in May. And it shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Space Sails
Simple sunlight could push a socalled “solar sail” about 100,000 mph, making outbound interplanetary travel four-to-six-times faster than today’s systems. Recent advances in strong, lightweight materials have intensified research in this area, and NASA can envision one day launching a solar sail on an interstellar precursor mission to explore the very edges of the solar system. The “plasma sail” is another promising concept – a huge magnetic bubble generated aboard an interplanetary vehicle and propelled by charged particles of the solar wind. Plasma sails could cut outer-planet trip times in half, perhaps one day routinely driving supply vessels for science platforms parked in permanent orbit around other worlds. Aero-Assist Technologies
Aero-assist technologies allow a vehicle to control or alter its speed or direction of flight using aerodynamic forces related to a planet’s atmosphere. Conventional spacecraft already can “borrow” an intervening planet’s orbital energy as they pass, in order to slingshot onward at a greater velocity. But future deep-space vehicles will fly at much greater speeds, requiring more braking power to stop at their destinations. Aerobraking and aerocapture techniques would use the planet’s atmosphere – not on-board fuel supplies – to slow the craft to orbital speed. And without that extra fuel and
mass, researchers can design lighter vehicles, with more room devoted to science payloads.
Dryden Research Center - California Mission Area: Flight Research
Atmospheric Flight Operations Center of Excellence
Electrodynamic Tethers
Tether propulsion – the generation of motive force by driving a current through an electrically conducting wire in a magnetic field – is a cheap, efficient power source that could turn orbiting tethers into “space tugboats,” enhancing a variety of missions in space – including studies of other planets. The Galileo mission to Jupiter, launched in 1989, was limited by the probe’s depleted fuel load, preventing it from making a prolonged study of the gas giant and its moons. An electrodynamic tether system, in comparison, could use the fifth planet’s enormous magnetic field to put a maneuverable, long-term probe into Jupiter’s orbit, creating endless research possibilities.
Total Workforce: 1,230 Ames Research Center - California Mission Areas: Aviation Operations, Systems and Astrobiology
Information Technology Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 1,398 Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California Mission Area: Planetary Science & Exploration and Instrument Technology
Deep Space Systems Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 5,175 Stennis Space Center - Mississippi Mission Areas: Rocket Propulsion Testing and Commercial Remote Sensing
Rocket Propulsion & Testing Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 1,556 Johnson Space Center - Texas Mission Area: Human Exploration and Astro Materials
Human Operations in Space Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 9,605
More about NASA and the Marshall Center
As the nation’s premier agency for development of next-generation space transportation and propulsion systems, NASA and its partners seek revolutionary advances in critical aerospace technologies, as well as innovative materials and processes for developing safer, stronger and more durable engines, vehicles, structures and components. The Marshall Center is a key leader in these efforts, aimed at dramatically improving the safety, cost and reliability of future space transportation systems. For more information about NASA Space Transportation Systems and the In-Space Propulsion investment area, visit: www.spacetransportation.com.
Glenn Research Center - Ohio Mission Areas: Aeropropulsion and Aerospace Power, Systems Research and Technology
Turbomachinery Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 3,825 Goddard Space Flight Center - Maryland Mission Area: Earth Science, Physics and Astronomy
Total Workforce: 8,185 NASA Headquarters - Washington, DC Agency Management Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 981 Langley Research Center - Virginia Mission Area: Airframe Systems & Atmospheric Science
Structure & Materials Center of Excellence Total Workforce: 3,748 Kennedy Space Center - Florida Mission Areas: Space Launch Operations & Spaceport and Range Technologies
Launch & Payload Processing Center of Excellence
– Article provided by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Total Workforce: 14,744 07 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Did You Hear the One About the Rocket Scientist and . . . The number was fast approaching a full 50 miles to the gallon – with no end produced much more than missile and in sight for this automotive miracle space and aviation technology. Loads of when, just as mysteriously, it began laughs – fun and games – also have origidecreasing. Soon it had returned to the nated there in the post’s modern era, original figure. The car’s baffled owner grew silent on the subject. launched by the 1950 arrival of the He never did solve the mystery. Daily Wernher von Braun team of rocket experts for weeks, under cover of darkness, Jim and their U.S. Army cohorts. Kingsbury had added small, measured quantities of gasoline to the car’s tank, If anyone thought that rocket engibefore gradually ending the game. neers and space scientists are dry, humorA classic tale involving Redstone and a less eggheads, they can think again. senior teammate of Dr. von Braun For instance, James Kingsbury, an concerns the critical first Saturn V engineer-manager at Redstone with the “countdown demonstration test” in midArmy and then NASA, one day grew October 1967, preceding the giant moon-rocket’s first flight. Arthur Rudolph, head of the Saturn V Program Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, was positioned in Launch Control at Cape Canaveral as several failed attempts at the run-through were made. Other Marshall officials monitored the situation from a support facility at Dr. von Braun inside the KC-135 in flight. The KC-135 Redstone. provided NASA’s Reduced-Gravity Program the unique weightlessness or zero-g environment of space flight for At long last, after testing and training of human and hardware reactions. repeated false starts and glitches, the full test was completed in weary of a co-worker’s bragging about good order. Congratulatory calls flowed the fantastic gas mileage he was getting to Rudolph on an intercom hotline. with his new car. For days the co-worker Soon another caller came on the line boasted that the car got 25 miles per from Huntsville, and this dialogue gallon. Before long he was gleefully ensued: reporting that the figure had improved to 30 mpg. Next it was 40! Then 45! WVB: “Arthur, congratulations on a Redstone Arsenal over the years has
successful test!” AR: “Who is this?” a weary Rudolph asked. WVB: “This is Wernher.” AR: “Werner who?” responded Rudolph, still not recognizing the voice but acquainted with several “Wernhers” on the team back in Huntsville. WVB: “You #!@&#!*!, I’m the one that goes to Washington and gets all the money for you to play your @%#!&#! games!” the peeved caller fired back. Pause. AR: “Oh, Wernher!” replied Rudolph finally to von Braun, his boss. An embarrassed Art Rudolph later enjoyed a good laugh over the exchange – but not when some of his prankish associates played a recording of it at his retirement party the next year. And then there was the Redstone story about the . . .
– Bob Ward
Author Bob
Ward’s rocket/space-related books include, among others, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Moon,” “The Light Stuff,” and a forthcoming biography of Wernher von Braun. 09 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Red Hot R & D AMRDEC Sets the Pace in Defense Research They work with rockets, aircraft and missiles. They operate in advanced laboratory and research facilities, backed by solid and growing Federal appropriations. They support dozens of powerful military and industrial customers, doing hundreds of things you have not dreamed of. And they employ more than 2,000 engineers, scientists and technicians here in Huntsville. Who are they? Most people, even longtime area residents, are not aware of Huntsville’s other major research and development facility, the Army’s Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center, otherwise known as AMRDEC. Dr. Steve Smith, AMRDEC Senior Technical Assistant to the Director, talks in crisp military tones of loss ratios, asymmetric asymmetry, and rapid response, using terms that might pepper a meeting of the Joints Chiefs of Staff. And the work of AMRDEC is serious. The key Army research center works in “a full spectrum of aviation, missiles, and unmanned vehicles.” That includes helicopters, as well. Sounds simple and direct. But there is more. Dr. Smith described the AMRDEC mission as development of weapons systems to support the rapid deployment of today’s more lethal and mobile strike forces. The Army of today is changing from the Army of a quarter century ago. Gone, says Smith, are the days when America stationed its troops in bases close to the enemy. Today’s Army, he explained, is transforming from a forward-based to a continental U.S.-based force. As a result, today’s Army has a greater
need for aviation and missile technologies that enhance the capability of the Army’s Light Forces. “We have to give them survivability and lethality. They have to survive until the heavier forces get there.” Much of AMRDEC’s work supports the Army aviator in the field. A recent major achievement is the Army’s HELLFIRE laserguided missile. Integrated with the Air Force’s Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, the weapons system has the ability not only to identify remote battlefield targets, but also to engage and destroy them at long
ability to get “low cost precision kills” that it did not have before. Modern weapons systems depend increasingly on advanced computer software programs. Smith speaks with pride of the Level Four rating that AMRDEC has achieved in software modeling. The Center, he says, is one of only four government agencies to achieve this designation. And its importance is growing. Software and simulation support is a growth area. AMRDEC currently employs more than 2,300 civil service and over 2,800 science and engineering support contractors, the vast majority in the . . . the work of AMRDEC is serious. The key Huntsville area. Some Army research center works in “a full spectrum 80% are scientists and of aviation, missiles, and unmanned vehicles.” engineers, and of that number, more than a range. “The soldier on the battlefield now third hold Masters and Doctorate degrees. has the ability to seek out and destroy the This workforce operates in a complex of enemy at extremely long ranges in real buildings at Redstone Arsenal totaling more time,” says Smith. than 1.7 million square feet, representing an HELLFIRE’s real-time capability, he investment of more than $975 million. explained, helps to provide a further edge to And the complex is growing. In July the U.S. commanders. “The ability of the command will open its new Prototype commander to see what is happening on the Integration Facility, which will allow the battlefield gives him the ability to adjust his rapid fabrication and testing of weapons plans in real time, based on what is actually system prototypes that formerly were built taking place, unlike an enemy commander in several locations. The $9 million facility who must depend on reports from the battlewill add nearly 60,000 square feet to the field that might be delayed or inaccurate. AMRDEC complex. HELLFIRE helped give U.S. forces the The stepped-up war on terrorism means advantage in both Kosovo and Afghanistan. increased funding form weapons research AMRDEC is also working on the develand development. Smith says the current opment of the smart guidance system develFY 2002 budget of $750 million will most oped for use on the Army’s 2.75-inch likely increase. rocket. Basically a low-cost version of the From grenades to rockets to laser-guided more expensive HELLFIRE, the smart guid- missiles, Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal ance system, Smith said, gives the Army the have come a long way since World War II. – Mike Kelley 11 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
e-Mentoring Takes Off This year, more than $1.4 billion in awards are available from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The ten participating federal agencies are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Commerce/NIST & NOAA, National Science Foundation, Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Health & Human Services (including the National Institutes of Health), NASA, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. Companies interested in applying for an award have new supportive help available through the Biztech e-Mentoring program. Jointly sponsored by Biztech and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the program matches applicants with previous grant and award winners, experienced entrepreneurs who have worked successfully with the federal agency that the applicant is pursuing. The e-Mentoring program is a Webbased coaching program, available online at www.biztech.org/sbir. Mentors do not provide consultation-type services, but focus their energies on planning, advising, and strategic guidance for the less experienced entrepreneurs that they assist. In the press release announcing the program, Governor Siegelman said, “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to obtain the advice they need to aquire federal funding. By taking advantage of this online service, small businesses will be able to compete more effectively for funding.” Biztech, Huntsville”s high-tech small business incubator, has been a leader in helping Alabama companies since its 1997 inception. The e-Mentoring program is one of their newest and most innovative programs yet. Alabama companies have outstanding opportunities to access new opportunities through this exciting program. – Holly Dawn Hunter 12
B2B – The Hard Way Hitting a Bullet with a Bullet The United States currently has no homeland defense against ballistic missile attacks, but that is soon to change. Huntsville is home for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Joint Program Office (GMD JPO). The Groundbased Midcourse System, formerly known as National Missile Defense (NMD), is one element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System being designed to make America safer. Over 2,500 people in Huntsville, and an additional 4,000 nation-wide, support this program. This complex program oversees the development of interceptors, radars, other system components, and the communication systems to link them together. To accomplish this, the government has teamed with industry. Approximately two-thirds of the effort (about 1,800 workers in Huntsville) is a Boeing responsibility. As the Prime Contractor, Boeing’s subcontractor teammates include many Huntsville companies. Their efforts include engineering and integration, component hardware and software development, demonstration of GMD capability through integrated flight and ground tests, and deployment and sustainment activities. In addition to managing the entire effort, the program office (with about 430 jobs in Huntsville) takes responsibility for government-furnished equipment and services (including test range assets, targets, facilities, and construction), system assessments, and environmental impact analyses. The government also has supporting contractors (about 590 jobs in Huntsville) to provide assistance in executing its responsibilities. This highly-skilled government/industry team is developing and building an extended test range to conduct operationally realistic ballistic missile defense testing. Scheduled for completion in September 2004, this “Test Bed” will validate the GMD operational concept and build a realistic prototype of a
future Missile Defense System that can be tested in an operationally realistic scenario. Concurrent with constructing a Test Bed, the program conducts long-range technology development that will continue through this decade and beyond. This technology effort will provide additional capability to the Test Bed via improved hardware, software, and other components for an increasingly realistic test program. The program began Integrated Flight Tests (IFTs) in 1997. Each IFT is preceded by extensive ground testing of both individual components and the overall system. The IFTs are the culminating tests of the entire system and ensure that all parts effectively communicate and work together. The March 15, 2002 IFT was the eighth test. Like its predecessors, it took place over the central Pacific Ocean. A modified Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) target vehicle was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. A prototype interceptor was launched approximately 20 minutes later from 4,800 miles away at the Ronald Reagan Test Site in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The resulting intercept occurred approximately 10 minutes after the interceptor was launched, at an altitude in excess of 140 miles above the earth, during the midcourse phase of the target warhead’s flight. The closing velocities of the test target and interceptor approached 16,000 miles per hour. This is like experiencing a commercial airplane flight from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles in less than 10 minutes (not counting check-in). The accurate killing mechanism for this test was a metal-hitting-metal collision - there were no explosives used! In other words, hitting a bullet with a bullet. The entire GMD Program team is committed to this national priority program, and is working hard to make missile defense a reality for the United States. – Article provided by the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Joint Program Office 1
Member Developments MagnaCom, Inc. held an open house on May 17 to celebrate its new Cummings Research Park office at 615 Discovery Drive with Mayor Spencer, representatives from Congressman Cramer”s office, and many customers and business asscociates. MagnaCom, Inc. is a Huntsville-based, high-tech engineering services company supporting government and prime contractor customers.
Advanced Optical Systems Celebrated the opening of a new location at 6767 Old Madison Pike. April 30, 2002
Humidor Pipe Shop celebrated its Grand re-opening on April 25th, after completing a total renovation. Alabama’s oldest tobacco shop has been in business since 1960. The present staff includes Michael Baker, manager, and Bill Bailey, lead sales. The shop is located at 2502 Memorial Parkway, SW.
New China Buffet III Celebrated the opening of the new restaurant in Huntsville at 207 Jordan Lane. May 22, 2002
Chili”s - Jones Valley
Ternion Corporation
Arlington Dentistry, P.C.
Opened a new restaurant at 2740 Carl T. Jones Drive. May 14, 2002
Celebrated the opening of a new location at 2227 Drake Avenue. May 16, 2002
Madison at 119 Arlington Drive. May 23, 2002
Announced and celebrated a new location in
Infinity Technology, Inc. Infinity Technology aerospace/fabrication company opened its 430 Wynn Drive facility May 16, with (l-r) President Guy Juzang, Chairman Alicia Juzang, Mayor Loretta Spencer, Cong. Cramer's Howell Lee, Sen. Sessions' Lisa Ramsey, Chamber's Russ Brown.
Utility Automation Integrators Opened a new location at 307 Wynn Drive in Cummings Research Park. May 28, 2002
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1 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Residence Inn Several Huntsvillians and Chamber Ambassadors joined General Manager Donna Hickerson at the Residence Inn by Marriott Huntsville on June 20, 2002 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new extended-stay hotel, located in the heart of Cummings Research Park.
Belzon Opened a new and expanded location at 6767 Old Madison Pike, Suite 135. June 6, 2002
Vintage at Madison Crossing
Madison County Executive Airport
Leather House Fine Furniture
Celebrated the new apartment community located at 7584 Old Madison Pike. May 17, 2002
Celebrated the opening of a new, extended runway for corporate jet service. June 13, 2002
Celebrated the opening of a new store at 6243 University Drive. May 30, 2002
General Shale Brick Celebrated the new location opening in Madison at 7029 Highway 72 West. May 14, 2002
M embership Momentum June 2002 Number of Members Number of New Members YTD Dues Base Chamber Events Attendance YTD
June 2001
2,104
2,194
112
262
$1,221,739
$1,222,684
4,205
N/A 15 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Vision for the Future NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Ocular Screening System Focused on Eye Care for Children Almost as quickly as you blink your eyes, young children can have their vision examined using space telescope technology. No dilating, no eye charts. No fuss, no muss. Just a quick snap and its over – thanks to the space optics technology developed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
The ocular screening system is successful because it is simple. A child simply looks through a small “window” where a camera located several feet away is looking back at them. A photograph is taken which records the reflective properties of the inner and outer eyes of the child. The flash sends light into the retina, where it is reflected back to the camera lens, producing an image to be studied later. Non-uniformity in color indicates an abnormality, which can then be verified and treated during follow-up visits to an ophthalmologist. When such screenings take place at a day care or school, parents and guardians are notified of any abnormalities, and it is then up to the adult to take the child to an eye doctor. And doctors will tell you, the earlier the better. Detected early enough, certain vision problems can be corrected long before vision actually becomes impaired. Because no response is required by the patient at the time of the exam, the ocular screening system is effective for infants, the physically disabled and
Photo courtesy Marshall Space Flight Center
other patients where responses are a problem. The system has been used for more than 1.5 million screenings in about half the states in the U.S. It came about through NASA’s Technology Transfer program, whose focus is working with industry to allow governmentcreated science, engineering and technology to improve processes and products for businesses and consumers. Former astronaut Senator John Glenn may have said it best. “This product is an example of NASA and private industry working together to bring the technology of the space program to benefit people here on Earth.” Delivery of benefits such as this through technology transfer is a key part of the NASA vision. No pun intended. – Marianne Higgins, APR
Setting the Standard Huntsville’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Innovative business practices in the federal government may seem unlikely, but organizations across the nation are stepping up to the Bush Administration’s challenge to create a more results-oriented government. And several federal organizations have already received recognition for those efforts, including the Huntsville Engineering and Support Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Declared one of the top three organizations in the federal government, the Huntsville Center recently accepted the 2001 Award for Quality Improvement during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Honorees of the prestigious Presidential Quality Award (PQA) serve as both role models and benchmarks of success to other federal organizations, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees the awards process. With programs currently valued at $6 billion, the Huntsville Center knows this level of endorsement from the nation’s Commander-in-Chief is an added benefit to help maintain and secure future growth. “In an environment with downsizing in the government, increased cost analysis, and more competitive funding,” explains Management Analyst, Sandra McAnally, “it is a benefit for us to tell potential customers we have been given an award for having a more efficient organization.” Although the Center does not receive direct funding from Congress, presidential recognition for its efforts in cost efficiency is a key to providing stronger competitive position in obtaining new customers and building customer loyalty for follow-on programs. The PQA program, originally based on the Malcom Baldrige performance improvement model for the private industr y, promotes performance excellence through the use of quality management principles and practices. Since adopting the PQA criteria as a framework for improvement in 1995, the Huntsville Center reduced its in-house operating costs by $107 million. As a result, this center has placed in various levels of the PQA program for seven years. The Huntsville Center’s commitment to process management and customer satisfaction continues to set the nation’s bar of performance excellence. – Shannon Belew 19 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Economic Indicators P O P U LAT I O N
E M P L O Y M EN T *
Madison County
City of Huntsville
City of Madison
Huntsville Metro Area
35-Mile Radius
MAR 02
APR 02
1980 Census........................................196,966
145,604
6,081
242,971
439,023
Total Non-ag Employment......................................................................184,300
184,800
1990 Census........................................238,912
159,789
14,904
293,047
505,967
Manufacturing................................................................................33,600
33,200
2000 Census........................................276,700
158,216
29,329
342,376
582,374
Durable Goods.......................................................................... 27,300
26,900
2005 Projection....................................299,778
161,657
31,471
367,735
612,701
Non-durable Goods..............................................................................6,300
6,300
% Growth 1980-2000 ............................40.5%
8.7%
382.3%
40.9%
32.6%
Non-manufacturing......................................................................150,700
151,600
Construction & Mining..........................................................................6,800
6,900
1980 Census..........................................67,082
51,113
2,040
82,440
150,864
Trans. & Utilities....................................................................................4,800
4,800
1990 Census..........................................91,208
63,058
5,944
110,893
191,640
Trade ..................................................................................................37,200
37,300
Huntsville Metro Area**
Households
2000 Census........................................106,423
62,437
11,779
131,683
223,990
Finance..................................................................................................5,000
5,000
2005 Projection....................................115,256
63,795
12,638
141,427
235,637
Services..............................................................................................56,200
56,600
% Growth 1980-2000 ............................58.6%
22.1%
477.4%
59.7%
48.5%
Government........................................................................................40,700
41,600
* Based on place of employment.
Race 2000 Pop. by Race ............................276,700
158,216
29,329
342,376
582,374
White......................................................72.1%
64.5%
80.1%
74.3%
82.5%
Black......................................................22.8%
30.2%
13.0%
21.0%
15.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander............................1.9%
2.3%
3.6%
1.6%
1.2%
Other Races..............................................3.2%
3.0%
3.3%
3.1%
0.9%
**Includes Madison & Limestone counties Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
LABOR FORCE*
$54,494
$69,774
$52,932
$49,969
Med. Household Income......................$43,081
$40,937
$59,801
$41,501
$38,729
Per Capita Income ..............................$22,430
$22,936
$29,581
$21,404
$20,099
Average Age..............................................35.9
36.9
33.0
36.1
36.7
APR 02 147,530
Limestone ......................................................................................30,560
30,400
Huntsville Region (Counties)
Income & Age Avg. Household Income......................$54,995
MAR 02
Madison ......................................................................................148,130
Source: EQUIFAX, National Decision Systems, 2001; U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)
Jackson ........................................................................................25,090
25,130
Marshall..........................................................................................39,080
39,060
Morgan ..........................................................................................55,950
55,670
Franklin, TN....................................................................................19,100
19,100
Giles, TN ........................................................................................16,400
16,090
Lincoln, TN ....................................................................................15,140
15,000
Huntsville Regional Total..........................................................349,450
347,980
* Based on place of residence. Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, Tennessee Department of Employment Security.
R E TAIL SALES Huntsville Region (Counties) - (000�s)
Total Food & Furniture & Retail Sales Restaurants Merchandise Automotive
Madison ..................................................................$4,197,785 Limestone ..................................................................$568,268
$859,915
$885,953
$119,439
$119,026
UNEMPLOYMENT RAT E *
$1,098,255 $132,312
Jackson......................................................................$472,058
$121,340
$86,289
$101,864
Marshall....................................................................$1,327,821
$177,607
$210,540
$646,026
Morgan ....................................................................$1,472,708
$277,539
$227,308
$499,417
Franklin, TN ................................................................$325,240
$113,831
$54,755
$65,402
Giles, TN ....................................................................$294,638
$62,746
$29,714
$98,169
Lincoln, TN..................................................................$303,977
$60,861
$54,694
$98,982
Regional Total ........................................................$8,962,495
$1,793,278
$1,668,279
$2,740,427
MAR 02
APR 02
Madison County................................................................................3.8%
3.5%
Huntsville Region..............................................................................5.4%
5.0%
Alabama............................................................................................6.0%
5.6%
United States....................................................................................5.7%
6.0%
* Based on place of residence. Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations (www.dir.state.al.us) Tennessee Department of Employment Security (www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd)
COST OF LIVING INDEX 1st QTR 2002
Source: Sales & Marketing Management, 2001 Survey of Buying Power, Printed with permission.
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY # of Projects
MAR 02
APR 02
Square Feet
$ Value
# of Projects
Square Feet
$ Value
Total Const. Contracts........................173
753,000
$73,378,000
137
448,000
$44,315,000
Commercial ..........................................11
100,000
$9,542,000
13
208,000
$18,582,000
Manufacturing ........................................6
306,000
$26,816,000
1
2,000
$111,000
Single Family ......................................118
252,000
$10,735,000
107
229,000
$8,633,000
Multi-Family ............................................0
0
0
0
0
0
CompositeGrocery Index Items
MAR 02 Index % Change
APR 02 Index % Change
00-01
Transportation
Health Care
Goods & Services
99.0
101.7
97.8
87.4
103.7
100.2
99.8
HUNTSVILLE, AL
91.7
95.1
77.9
81.6
102.1
90.6
101.1
Dallas, TX
100.6
96.4
94.9
109.2
101.7
97.5
105.6
Orlando, FL
98.9
102.2
86.9
105.8
90.5
100.0
108.3
St. Louis, MO
99.9
92.9
96.0
106.2
105.5
105.9
102.5
Washington, D.C.
132.3
128.6
157.5
114.1
125.6
125.5
120.0
Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association. Website (www.accra.org)
HOME SALES MAR 02
APR 02
Houses on Market..............................................................................3,452
3,495
Houses Sold & Closed..........................................................................406
429
Avg. Selling Price..........................................................................$124,378
$128,390
00-01
United States...............................................................178.8
1.5%
179.8
1.6%
South Region...............................................................172.1
0.9%
173.1
1.0%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Atlanta, GA. Website (http://stats.bls.gov)
Utilities
Atlanta, GA
Source: F.W. Dodge, Printed with permission.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
Housing
Avg. Days on Market..............................................................................124
115
Median Sales Price........................................................................$105,000
$106,000
Source: Huntsville Area Association of Realtors
20
1 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Economy-at-a-Glance Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama is located in the middle of the southeastern United States, with over 4 million people within a 100-mile radius. The Huntsville community serves as the primary e c onomic hub of the north Alabama and southern Tennessee region. The counties adjoining Madison County combine to form an eight-county regional market with a population totaling 700,000 people. The Huntsville/Madison County economy is known as one of the strongest economies in the South, with low unemployment, strong job growth and income levels leading the region. Business growth and investment from U.S. and international companies have made Huntsville/ Madison County one of the country’s top “hot spots” for growing a business and raising a family.
Research & Technology Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park is the country’s 2nd largest research and technology park, containing 220+ com panies employing 22,500 people involved in technology research and development. Manufacturing Huntsville/Madison County’s manufacturing industry represents a diverse mix of technology, assembly and production operations from both domestic and international corporations, comprising one-fourth of the local employment base.
LEADING EMPLOYERS U.S. Army/Redstone Arsenal . . . . . . . . . .11,141 Huntsville Hospital System . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,355 Sanmina SCI
Aerospace Huntsville/Madison County is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and has representation from nearly ever y major U.S. aerospace corporation with over 90 companies employing more than 11,000 people in the local aerospace industry.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,300
Huntsville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000 DaimlerChrysler Corporation . . . . . . . . . . .2,800 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center . . . . . .2,754 The Boeing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,700 City of Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,186 Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,936 Intergraph Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,736 ADTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,731 Goodyear/Dunlop Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,660 Computer Sciences Corporation . . . . . . . . .1,600
Defense Huntsville/Madison County plays a key role in the U.S. Army’s technology development programs. The Army’s Aviation & Missile Command and Space & Missile Defense Command both drive a thriving engineering economy for companies supporting the technology activity of the Army in Huntsville.
Teledyne Brown Engineering . . . . . . . . . . .1,582 Walmart/Sam”s Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,581 West Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,300 University of Alabama in Huntsville . . . . . .1,112 Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,073 Benchmark Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .921 Alabama A&M University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890 Lockheed Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .844 Target Distribution Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750 Crestwood Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .668 PPG Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .660
Electronics Over 300 international and domestic corporations in Huntsville/Madison County are involved in the design and production of electronics and computer-related technology, including Sanmina SCI, one of the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturers.
Madison City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .644 Engelhard Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .617 Dynetics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600 SAIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .574 Northrop Grumman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .571 CAS, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510 CINRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 Source: Chamber of Commerce, January 2002.
21 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
The Space Launch Initiative Advancing Technology for a New Space Age Making space flight safer, more reliable, and less expensive is what NASA’s Space Launch Initiative is all about. Expanding the horizon of the space frontier for scientific exploration and economic development, SLI’s goal is to design a safer, more affordable, reusable space transportation system that can accommodate the needs of NASA’s science-driven missions. The program also provides mutual technologies beneficial to commercial industry and the Department of Defense.
From the 1950s’ first Redstone rocket to today’s breakthroughs in science aboard the International Space Station, Huntsville has been home to many of the technological advances that have allowed humans to reach toward the heavens. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville is continuing this tradition with the start of a bold, new initiative to develop safer, more reliable, and affordable space access. Established in February 2001, the Space Launch Initiative, implemented by the Marshall Center, is a NASA-wide technology development program to design and develop a second generation reusable launch vehicle. Uniting a cadre of the nation’s most talented scientists and engineers from NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, academia and private companies from around the country, the Space Launch Initiative
program is truly the work of a nation. In May 2001, 22 companies were awarded contracts, valued at $791 million, to develop concepts and needed technologies for a second generation reusable launch vehicle. The Space Launch Initiative is following a three-part strategy:
SLI concept vehicles are still in the development stages.
• Investment of technology to allow a decision by 2006 for full-scale development of a second generation reusable launch vehicle, and operations by early next decade of a space transportation system that will be safer, more reliable and less expensive than the first generation reusable launch vehicle – the Space Shuttle. • Coordination with industry to ensure a flexible, commercially produced and operated reusable launch vehicle that is compatible with the unique hardware
the International Space Station. These commercial vehicles will serve as backup to primary vehicles, such as the U.S. Space Shuttle and international vehicles such as the Russian Progress rocket. NASA engineers understand that development along multiple, competing, and emerging technology paths is needed up-front, before a new space vehicle design can be determined. In the Space
Uniting a cadre of the nation’s most talented scientists and engineers . . . the Space Launch Initiative program is truly the work of a nation. needed for NASA missions. By transferring NASA’s routine space operations needs to the private sector, NASA can focus on science research, technology development, and exploration.
Launch Initiative’s first two years, risk
• Purchase of cargo services, using commercial launch vehicles to re-supply
include business development and plan-
reduction activities will undergo a series of rigorous reviews by NASA, the Department of Defense, and the aerospace industry. Risk reduction activities ning, technology research, advanced 23 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
The Space Launch Initiative . . . continued from page 23
development activities, and ground and flight experiments. In April 2002, the SLI program held the Interim Architecture and Technology Review – its first milestone review to narrow competing second generation reusable space transportation architectures and technologies against NASA and commercial mission requirements, as well as safety and cost goals. Three contractor architecture teams – The Boeing Company of Seal Beach, Calif.; Lockheed Martin Corp. of Denver; and a team including Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., and Northrop Grumman of El Segundo, Calif. – presented dozens of potential vehicle architectures for review. Following the review, NASA and these teams retained 15 possible candidate architectures for the nation’s next generation reusable space launch system. Another review will be held in November 2002 to further narrow applicable technologies and potential space transportation architectures. The Space Launch Initiative will stand upon the shoulders of giants – Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Shuttle programs – to create an environment that enables new possibilities for ground and space-based industries, scientific research and discovery. With increased safety, reliability and affordability, Space Launch Initiative is developing and sharing technology and systems integration work to benefit government and a wide spec trum of businesses. Additional information on NASA’s Space Launch Initiative, including a list of the selected contractors, is available on the Internet at www.slinews.com and www.spacetransportation.com. – Article provided by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center 25 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
It Will Take Rocket Scientists Huntsville’s federal facilities function with thousands of civilian employees. And impending retirements for many of them will create a host of new opportunities in this area’s already burgeoning engineering and technical population. Lately, the aging workforce has been given great consideration among Huntsville’s Federal agencies. At AMCOM, Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Space and Missile Defense Command, many employees came on board more than 20 years ago, when Federal budgets for these agencies wer e larger. Relatively lower hiring levels in recent years has resulted in a civilian workforce somewhat older than that of area private firms. The retirement factor impacts the Army significantly, says Tim Gray, AMCOM’s Director of Personnel and Training, noting that the Army’s civilian workforce is “older than the rest of the government’s.” The average age of AMCOM civilian employees, according to a recent survey, is 48, whereas the average throughout the Army is 46.5. This makes about 53% of AMCOM civilian employees eligible for retirement, defined in Federal terms as having attained 30 years of service. However, Gray added, the average civilian employee works several years beyond retirement age, to about age 61 – a pattern Gray said has been “fairly consistent” through the years.
Conversely, the downsizing at Marshall Space Flight Center in the late 60s and early 70s, combined with a short hiring boost in the mid-80s, gives Marshall a somewhat younger workforce than other Federal agencies. Marshall’s Director of Human Resources Dan Hightower said about 25% of Marshall employees are currently eligible for retirement, but added that MSFC employees work an average three years past retirement age. He noted that Marshall’s critical technical workforce is somewhat younger that the support staff. Huntsville’s two other Federal agencies, the Space and Missile Defense Command and the Huntsville Corps of Engineers, find themselves in roughly the same situation as AMCOM. Of the 721 employees at SMDC, 88 are eligible now for full
the past, Gray said, AMCOM was able to fill most higher-grade (GS-11 and above) positions internally, through promotions. “But this will change, absolutely,” given the lack of younger employees in the ranks. “We are going to have to recruit more from outside than ever before.” Good news for new workers. Right now, says Gray, Workforce Revitalization is one of five goals of the AMCOM Strategic Plan. A major part of that effort, he says, involves trying to determine the skills and competencies needed in the future workforce. “We can then develop programs to recruit and upgrade skills,” said Gray. Nationwide, the Army projects a need for perhaps 225,000 more civilian employees over the next decade, said Gray, based on current projections. Future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) deci-
. . .the retirement situation creates opportunities for “outsiders” to enter Federal service at higher levels. retirement, and another 262 are eligible for early retirement. The average age of employees at SMDC in Huntsville is 48. The average age of the Huntsville Corps of Engineers 623 civilian emplo yees is 47.7, according to Public Affairs Director Dan Coberly. Some 178, or 29%, are eligible to retire by the end of 2007. What all this means to the future workforce is that the retirement situation creates opportunities for “outsiders” to enter Federal service at higher levels. In
sions may impact that number, but ne w workers will have opportunities. Marshall faces an ongoing need for engineers and information technology employees, but at Hightower puts it “we’re not at a crisis stage.” It all points up to one conclusion, however. Huntsville’s Federal sector is going to need more high-level employees than ever before, and it will need them within the next five years. If you’re technical, it’s time to sharpen your resume. – Mike Kelley
27 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
SMDC Deals In Security . . . Among Other Things Dedicated to working to solve problems every day, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) provides capabilities to successfully combat terrorism, protect troops and defend the homeland.
The Command is one of the Army’s 15 Major Commands (MACOMs). The SMDC includes major elements in Huntsville, Alabama; Arlington, Virginia; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll in the Central Pacific. Each Major Command focuses on a specific mission. SMDC’s mission is to provide the Army and nation with Space, Integrated Missile Defense, and Computer Network Operations capabilities to ensure dominance across the spectrum of conflict. For more than 45 years, SMDC has evolved from an organization focused on developing an effective counter to threats, such as the super air-breathingtype targets and ballistic missiles, to the current organization focused on providing the world’s best space and missile defense capabilities to the nation and the U.S. military. The command also has a commitment to assist Israel in developing a Mobile Tactical HighEnergy Laser (MTHEL) demonstrator to help Israel defend its northern cities from the threat posed by short-range rockets. The diverse, highly-technical SMDC workforce includes 585 military and
1,147 civilian employees – very welleducated employees, that is. Of the military personnel command-wide, three soldiers hold doctorate degrees, 85 have master’s degrees, and 95 have bachelor’s degrees. The civilian work force has 32 employees with doctorate degrees, 217 with master’s degrees, and 479 with bachelor’s degrees. In North Alabama alone, SMDC employs 725 civilians and 28 military. Also, SMDC has an additional contractor level of effort equaling more than 2,600 employees. Since Fiscal Year 1996, SMDC has contracted nearly $2 billion in North Alabama and in 2001 and paid $62.7 million in employee salaries. SMDC supports 171 active contracts being performed in Huntsville. These contracts have a potential value of $1.8 billion, which includes $9.4 million to the University of Alabama in Huntsville and $625,678 to Alabama A&M University. North Alabama provides SMDC strong congressional support; local, county, and state support; a retirement community; an international airport; a military-friendly environment; and a high degree of educational opportuni ties. SMDC in Huntsville – a great reciprocal relationship for both the Army and for the entire Huntsville/Madison County region.
– Article provided by SMDC
Economic Development Highlights CST Breaks Ground on New Building Work has begun on a new facility for Computer Systems Technology, Inc. (CST) in Cummings Research Park. The new 40,000 square-foot building will be located at the intersection of Voyager Way and Old Madison Pike and is being developed by Samples Properties. CST, established in 1989, employs 350 people in the Huntsville area and provides computer systems development and engineering services to government and commercial clients.
International Corporation Begins Engine Manufacturing International Truck and Engine Corporation held an official rollout ceremony to mark the beginning of production of the company’s new VT 365 V-8 diesel engines. The company, located in a 500,000 square-foot facility in Jetplex Industrial Park, announced its move to the Huntsville area in 1999 and has invested over $350 million to develop the manufacturing facil ity. Engines made at the plant will be used in a variety of commercial trucks, pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles with the company emplo ying 600 workers once full production is reached.
Intergraph Announces Madison Business Park Intergraph Corporation announced the creation of Madison Business Park, a 252-acre industrial and office site consisting of property currently owned by the company. Located at the intersec tion of Wall-Triana Highway and Interstate I565, the park will consist of Intergraph’s existing facilities, which the company will retain for continued operations, plus an additional 109 acres of developable land which Intergraph will make available to new and expanding compa nies. The new park will complement the existing Madison Business Park South, established last year, consisting of additional Intergraph facilities south of InterPro Road now being leased to other companies.
Crestwood Plans New Growth Crestwood Medical Center has received approval for a planned $33 million, 66,500 square foot expansion of its main health care facility. The expansion, scheduled to begin near the end of the year, will add space for expanded inpatient and outpatient care as well as provide for additional private rooms. The project is expected to be completed in approximately two years. 29 In i t i a t i ves August 2002
Chamber of Commerce
No t e w o r t h y
Board of Directors & Executive Committee Elected Board
The Chamber of Commerce Congratulates the Small Business Award Winners of 2002 Business Services – Elcom, Inc. Manufacturing & Construction – Watring Technologies, Inc. Personal Services – Huntsville Martial Arts Technology – MagnaCom, Inc. Wholesale/Retail – Ellen’s Creative Cakes, Inc. Executive of the Year – Peter Ferrante, JIT Services, Inc.
Coming Next Issue October: Research and Industrial Parks Huntsville and Madison County boast several world-class parks headlined by the award-winning Cummings Research Park. CRP is the second largest research park in the United States, and the fourth largest in the world. This dynamic asset of the City of Huntsville is currently celebrating 40 years of innovative success and continual expansion. The next issue of Initiatives Review will provide an examination of the attributes of not only CRP, but also the other business parks located within the region as they impact on business worldwide.
Ronald W. Boles Chair Howard Thrailkill Chair-Elect Pete Apple Scott Averbuch Marc Bendickson,Ph.D Sheila Brown George Beason Barbara Buice Watson Joel Daves,IV Gina DeSimone Wyn Dobbs Marshall England Dick Fountain Bill Gurley Richard Holloway Dr. Eric Janssen David Jensen William Johnston,Jr. Raymond Jones,Jr. Tracy Jones Charles Kettle Donna Lamb LTG James Link Lynne Lowery John Riche John Stallworth Karen Stanley William Stender Johnnie Vann Peter Voetsch Jean Wessel-Templeton
Executive Committee Ronald W. Boles, Chair Howard Thrailkill, Chair-Elect Tommy Beason, Vice Chair Small Business Hall Bryant, Chair Appointed Gina DeSimone, Secretary Dave Hargrove, Vice Chair Membership Chairman Mike Gillespie, Chair Appointed William Johnston,Jr., Vice Chair Resource Development Donna Lamb, Treasurer John Riche, Vice Chair Government Affairs Scott Seeley, Chair Appointed Loretta Spencer, Chair Appointed Karen Stanley, Vice Chair Workforce Development Paula Steigerwald, Vice ChairCommunications Clay Vandiver, Past Chair Brian Hilson, President/CEO Jeff Thompson, COO
Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County P.O. Box 408 Huntsville, Alabama 35804 (256) 535-2000 www.hsvchamber.org
30
1 In i t i a t i ves August 2002