Initiatives magazine, December 2004 by Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Cummings Research Park Expansion Plans in Play

initiatives H u n t s v i l l e / M a d i s o n C o u n t y • C h a m b e r o f C o m m erce

december 2004

f eatures cover story

Cummings Research Park Expansion Plans in Play

Page 15 Cummings Research Park

Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama is located in the middle of the southeastern United States, with more than four million people within a 100-mile radius. The Huntsville community is the primary economic hub of the northern Alabama/ southern Tennessee region. Huntsville/Madison County’s economy is known as one of the strongest 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 it one of the country’s top “hot spots” for growing a business and raising a family.

The Host with the MOST

The Alabama Advantage

Port of Huntsville Excels

HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com

d e v e l o p me n t s NEAR SBDC

Economic Indicators

Economy At-A-Glance

Member Developments

ed i t o r i a l s t a f f

mission

The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville • Madison County is to prepare, develop and promote our community for economic growth.

contact

Chamber of Commerce Huntsville • Madison County 225 Church Street Huntsville, AL 35801 256.535.2000

on the web HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com

Publisher

Brian Hilson

Executive Editor

Holly McClain

Graphic Designer

Kristi Sherrard

Writers

Rick Davis Cindy Maloney Holly McClain Ken Smith Anna Swain

Photography

Holly McClain

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 Initiatives December 2004

Chamber of Commerce Huntsville â&#x20AC;˘ Madison County

Staff 2004 Brian Hilson, President & CEO Holly McClain, Communications Director Laura Kendrick, Executive Assistant to the President

Economic Development Ethan Hadley, Vice President, Economic Development Steve Finnell, Director, Industrial Development & Existing Industry Rick Davis, Director, Cummings Research Park Lillie Ben, Executive Marketing Assistant Amy Locke, Industrial Development Assistant Garrett Sheehan, Economic Development Assistant

Investor Relations Loren Traylor, Vice President, Investor Relations Cheryl Schultz, Director, Small Business & Workforce Development Terrie Ledbetter, Membership Representative Beverly Carthen, Membership Representative Debra Dunbar, Launch Program Director Donna McCrary, Investor Relations Assistant Lindsay Southard, Investor Relations Assistant/ Resource Desk Coordinator

Governmental Affairs Mike Ward, Vice President, Governmental Affairs Jay Snyder, BRAC Executive Director Tina Leopold, Program Assistant

Research & Information Services Ken Smith, Director, Research & Information Services Kristi Sherrard, Publications/Graphic Design Specialist Hiroko Sedensky, Research Assistant Judith Short, Information Services Assistant Cheryl Crowe, Resource Desk Coordinator

Finance & Administration Ken Williams, Director, Finance & Administration Desman Holt, Network Administrator Dora Heisey, Financial Assistant Erica Gussie, Financial Assistant Tom Burnette, Building Manager

Associated Organizations & Staff Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Sarah Savage, Executive Director Allison Harbin, Leadership Assistant Mary Stewart, Youth Leadership Coordinator

Northeast Alabama Regional Small Business Development Center Kenneth Scislaw, Director, SBDC Carrie Davis, Assistant Director, SBDC Brenda McBride, Procurement Counselor Patsy Nayman, Executive Secretary Felita Flores, Secretary

SCORE Hanson Howard, Executive Director

Chamber of Commerce Huntsville â&#x20AC;˘ Madison County 225 Church Street Huntsville, Alabama 35801 (256) 535-2000 www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com 04 December 2004 Initiatives

The Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors and Executive Committee 2004 Executive Committee Tommy Beason, Chair LTG James Link (Ret.), Chair-Elect

A Message from the President

Howard Thrailkill, Past Chair Joel Daves, Secretary Gail Wall, Treasurer Brad Jones, Vice Chair Economic Development Joe Ritch, Vice Chair Governmental Affairs Dave Hargrove, Vice Chair Investor Relations Karen Stanley, Vice Chair Small Business Scott Seeley, Vice Chair Research & Information Services Joe Austin, Vice Chair Workforce Development Chairman Mike Gillespie, Chair-Appointed Bill Gurley, Chair-Appointed Mayor Loretta Spencer, Chair-Appointed Irma Tuder, Chair-Appointed Brian Hilson, President/CEO

Elected Board Tommy Beason, Beason & Nalley, Inc. Joe Alexander, Camber Corporation Pete Apple, CSC Joe Austin, Huntsville Hospital Scott Averbuch, Averbuch Realty John Cooper, Avocent Marshall England, State Farm Dick Fountain, Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates Dr. Greg Gum, Radiology Associates Bill Gurley, SAIC Richard Holloway, Timberlakes Developers, Inc. Tharon Honeycutt, WHNT-TV Dr. Eric Janssen, SportsMed Donna Lamb, Lamb Commercial Services Millie Marshall, Toyota Motor Manufacturing-AL Jerre Penney, Bill Penney Toyota Scott Seeley, Regions Bank Joe Ritch, Sirote & Permutt Remigius Shatas, Rymic Systems, Inc. Sandra Steele, Enfinger Development, Inc. Paula Steigerwald, Huntsville Botanical Garden Gerald Toland, Redstone Federal Credit Union

Dear Chamber of Commerce Investors, Community Leaders and Friends: This December issue of Initiatives features some of Huntsville/Madison County’s finest business attractions. Most Huntsville area residents know that Cummings Research Park is the second largest science and technology park in the U.S., and most know that the Port of Huntsville is one of the most efficient and progressive transportation complexes in the country. What they may not know is that the Huntsville area is also blessed with an abundance of other wellplanned business locations which complement our economic base and prepare us for future economic growth. This issue also includes a feature article on Huntsville small businesses which were recently recognized among the “Inc. 500” – representative of the fastest-growing small companies in America. Since 1971, one of Alabama’s most important incentives for economic development has been the Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute. AIDT has served numerous new and expanding Alabama employers, including many in Huntsville, in developing a custom-trained, high quality workforce. This month’s feature article explains how AIDT does it, and why the organization continues to be beneficial to so many Alabama employers. Through the Chamber’s Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative, the marketing and promotion of Huntsville/Madison County has become more aggressive. The Chamber’s enhanced website at HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com is an excellent way of obtaining introductory information on the community. At the same time, Chamber staff and community leaders are aggressively marketing and considering new ways to enhance our community’s economic growth. A trip for HREGI investors to the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina provided new insights and ideas for Huntsville’s future. Soon after, Huntsville leaders welcomed board members from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as they did the same thing – explore another community in search of fresh ideas. The Chamber also hosted a number of foreign delegations and continues to market our community to numerous domestic and foreign-based companies. The Chamber recently hosted Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer’s annual “State of the City” luncheon where she reviewed an active year of economic development and other successes in our city. We are looking forward to a December 8 luncheon with Governor Bob Riley, and of course, to our Chamber Annual Meeting – that event will take place on January 11 and will feature Senator Jeff Sessions. While much of the Chamber’s work is necessarily conducted “behind the scenes,” some of it is self-evident, particularly through our various events and publications. We hope that community leaders, particularly those who are investors in the Chamber’s economic development program, will take note of the new style and content of our many publications, knowing this is the kind of information business prospects and others use to better understand Huntsville and expand the image of our community. Your feedback is very important to us, and we are always appreciative of your continued support.

Irma Tuder, Analytical Services, Inc. Johnnie Vann, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne

Brian Hilson

Bill Watson, SouthTrust Bank

President & CEO Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

Jean Wessel-Templeton, Wesfam/Burger King Peri Widener, The Boeing Company Keith Wilson, Wyle Laboratories Tom Young, Intergraph Corporation

05 Initiatives December 2004

Inc. 500 ranked Huntsville-based Solid Earth among their list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America. Solid Earth partners pictured (l-r): Bob Moore & Matt Fowler.

Huntsville: The Host with the MOST Inc. 500 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies

hat city has the most Inc. 500 “fastest revenue growth in excess of 20 percent year growing private companies in the after year. U.S.?” Well, adjusted for population, Huntsville leads the nation in the magazine’s Defense/Aerospace list of fast-growing companies. “As a technol- In order of rank, with annual growth in sales ogy-driven community, Huntsville is rich with and 2003 revenue entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers and Intuitive Research and Technology technologists who help give our community (based in Grand Prairie, Texas, its unique character. Huntsville is home to with main offices in Huntsville) leading-edge companies, small and large, n No. 75 young and old, which are continuously devel- n 372.9 % oping new technologies and market applica- n 2003 Revenue $7.8 million tions. We hope our community’s recognition “The past five years have been extremely as a leader among Inc. 500 cities further advances the image of Huntsville as a highly rewarding, but we did not realize how special attractive place for many types of technology- it has been until we received notification of based companies and workers,” remarked such a high ranking in the Inc. 500 magazine, Brian Hilson, president and chief executive number 75 overall,” said Harold Brewer, coofficer. Looking at the adjusted numbers, founder and vice president of Intuitive Research and Technology. Huntsville has 17 Inc. 500 “It’s even better since Inc. companies per million How does Inc. do it? residents, putting it ahead of According to the magazine, “We also ranked us the second such cities as Provo, Utah; contacted more than 500,000 busi- fastest growing, privately small business Boulder, Colorado; Salt Lake nesses and pored over the financial owned City; San Francisco and statements of qualified applicants. As defense contractor in the always, Inc. 500 companies must be United States.” Washington, D.C. independent and privately held. But to The vice president also Among home-grown better reflect the increased pace of companies on the annual Inc. change in today’s economy, we’ve remarked, “The North Ala500 list are three defense shortened our measurement period. bama area is proven to be contractors, one real estate New members of the list must have an one of the best, if not the business and one company in operating history of at least four years. best, places to start and grow the construction sector. Plus, Inc. 500 alumni are still measured over a technology-based company. add one more defense five years. But all companies are We have been able to build a contractor to the list that has ranked according to their average team with some of the most its main offices here and annual sales growth. We also boosted technically-capable, dedicated Huntsville has a veritable our minimum revenue requirements – professionals that I have herd of what the article refers to net sales of $200,000 in fiscal 2000 worked with in my 20-year (1999 for alumni) and $2 million in career.” to as “gazelles” – a term revenue for fiscal 2003, compared with Currently, Intuitive has business researchers use to $100,000 and $1 million, respectively.” over 55 employees and sales describe a company with

over $8 million. More than 45 employees operate from the Huntsville main office, supporting the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Command, Research Development and Engineering Command and the Missile Defense Agency. Intuitive, a certified 8(a) company and small and disadvantaged business, provides a myriad of services in programmatic support, systems engineering, product development, production systems support, rapid prototyping, and technology management solutions to the Department of Defense, government agencies and commercial companies. Intuitive was co-founded in 1999 by Rey Almodovar and Harold Brewer.

Radiance Technologies n No. 214 n 168.2 % n 2003 Revenue $17 million

“This ranking is a very visible recognition of the hard work of all Radiance employeeowners, and the success that has been achieved with our services and products. Radiance intends to leverage the visibility of this ranking to fuel continued growth with new and existing customers,” announced George Clark, president of Radiance. Radiance Technologies applies emerging technologies to improve military capabilities and matches technology solutions to meet military needs. Founded in 1999, Radiance Technologies is an employee-owned company providing system engineering and technology development services and products, primarily to the U.S. government. Radiance currently employs professionals in ten states and three foreign continued on page 9 07 Initiatives December 2004

08 December 2004 Initiatives

continued from page 7

countries. Radiance Technology’s technically diverse and highly experienced staff supports the company’s focus on systems engineering and the application of advanced technology solutions. Radiance Technologies is a 200+ person, employee-owned corporation based in Huntsville, with offices in Mobile, Alabama; Oxford and Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and McLean, Virginia, as well as working contracts around the globe. Radiance has diversified into working support, research and development, and production, as well as consulting on the local, state, and federal levels.

3D Research n No. 342 n 108.3 % n 2003 Revenue $10.1 million

“This is a great honor for us,” said Lisa Williams, president of 3D Research, referencing the Inc. 500 listing. “It offers an opportunity for a national audience to see the great work that is being achieved in Huntsville.” Of even greater significance, according to Williams, is what this recognition means for the team members at 3D Research. “Our employees make the difference,” she adds. “We could not claim this honor if it were not for the relentless effort our teams give on behalf of 3D Research.” Those team members total more than 150 people throughout the company’s 14 national and international locations. In 1997 Lisa Williams traded her day job as a test engineer with missile systems for a career as president of her own high-tech engineering services firm. 3D Research has been consistently recognized, both locally and across the U.S. Just this year, Williams was named “Small Business Person of the Year” for Alabama by the Small Business Administration. She also received the 2004 Small Business Executive of the Year award by the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/ Madison County. The 8(a) certified company specializes in test and evaluation, modeling and simulation, information technology, and weather and meteorological services. Among its growing list of government customers are the Strategic Missile Defense Command, the Missile Defense Agency, the Air Force, the Army Missile and Aviation Command and NASA. Equally substantial is the string of prime contractors and other customers including The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman, Computer Sciences Corporation and BAE Systems.

Gray Research n No. 353 n 105 % n 2003 Revenue $10.9 million

For Ron Gray, president of Gray Research, the Inc. 500 recognition is tangible confirmation his business model works. “We place great emphasis on taking care of our employees, and we consistently find new and innovative ways to reward and express appreciation for their role in our success.” He and his employees also place great emphasis on taking care of customers. “Our motto is we do whatever it takes to satisfy our customers as long as it’s legal, moral, and ethical,” he grinned. “Huntsville’s infrastructure in terms of financial- and business-related support to small, emerging businesses like ours is exceptional,” explained Gray. He also noted that other contractors Gray Research partners with, particularly SAIC, BAE, CSC and CAS, have been very supportive of the business and have played a major role in its success. Gray Research, Inc., is a small business founded in October 1998 to provide technical and programmatic assistance and solutions to government and commercial customers throughout the U.S. The 91-employee company currently supports several Department of Defense and NASA customers by providing services in seven different core capability areas including design and integration, program integration and management, space systems analysis and technology, test and evaluation, logistics/facilities engineering, modeling and simulation, and C4I systems development and integration. “The programs we support are technically exciting and critical to our nation’s defense and aerospace efforts,” added Gray.

Real Estate Solid Earth n No. 308 n 118 % n 2003 Revenue $3 million

Five-year-old Solid Earth, Inc., located in downtown Huntsville, has taken a conservative approach to success. “Everyone was telling us not to grow too fast, to be careful,” related Matt Fowler, Solid Earth president and cofounder. “In the beginning, Bob Moore [chief executive officer and co-founder] thought that managing growth would be difficult, so we decided to operate less like a software publisher and more like an exclusive home

builder that only builds a few custom houses a year.” Fowler said the 11-employee company limited new clients to no more than five per year. Existing clients apparently appreciate this conservative approach because Solid Earth has an almost perfect 99 percent client retention rate. Solid Earth publishes the LIST-IT System and MapMachine.com. LIST-IT is a customized real estate inventory management and marketing support system designed for local associations of realtors. Solid Earth’s software operates the multiple listing service (MLS), the primary database of real estate listings and statistics, in each city. MapMachine.com is a browser-based geographic information system (GIS) mapping service designed specifically for realtors. So far, Solid Earth has licensed its software in 12 states.

Construction SEI Group n No. 313 n 117 % n 2003 Revenue $13 million

“SEI’s selection to Inc. magazine’s list of America’s fastest growing companies recognizes a significant milestone for us. It demonstrates the company has successfully overcome the challenges all companies face when they move out of the start-up phase and begin to grow a sustainable business,” declared Eloy Torrez, founder and president of SEI Group. Torrez asserted that Huntsville has been a very attractive location for starting government contracting businesses, but notes that commercial opportunities are also plentiful. He particularly named the automotive industries and the local airport authority. The company’s current challenge, he says, is to build power stations on U.S. military bases in Iraq. SEI Group is a minority-owned, 8(a) certified small business that provides expertise in security systems, power stations, energy controls, fuel services and training ranges. To date, the company has supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy Engineering Command, U.S. Army National Missile Defense Joint Project Office, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, U.S. Air Force Contract Augmentation Program, Department of Interior National Park Service, U.S. Veteran’s Administration and the U.S. Social Security Administration. • 09 Initiatives December 2004

At nearly 15,000 square feet, the AIDT center, located off Wall Triana in Huntsville, includes five classrooms, computer stations and space for factory floor simulations. AIDT encourages economic development through job-specific training.

Workforce Training The Alabama Advantage

n 1971, Alabama established what has become the nation’s premier, state-based workforce training initiative. The Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) program had been ranked several times in the top 10 such programs by surveys in Expansion Magazine, but 2004 is the year Alabama achieved the number one spot. The magazine targets decision-makers – the chief executives of manufacturing and service companies, as well as site location consultants. The competitive advantage that workforce training programs provide has caused them to become a key factor in corporate decisions to locate or expand in an area. Companies are looking for the resources, both financial and human, to support success. “That has always been AIDT’s mission,” said AIDT Director Ed Castile. “Since its inception, AIDT has provided a quality workforce for Alabama’s new and expanding industries and has expanded the opportunities of Alabama citizens through the jobs those industries create.” Alabama Industrial Development Training has custom-tailored training for more than 200,000 Alabamians and collaborated with more than 3,500 organizations to provide skilled workers and introduce economic prosperity. Training services are free of charge to new and expanding industries, as well as to trainees. The program has been essential in attracting companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Boeing, and more recently, South Koreanbased Mando Corp. and Hyundai. The Hyundai plant will employ more than 2,000 Alabamians when it begins production in 2005, with an additional 6,000 plus jobs

generated by suppliers locating near the Montgomery facility. The Lear Corporation, Tire and Wheel Assembly Inc., Hyundai Hysco, Renosol Corporation, and Teksid Aluminum Components have begun building plants to manufacture supplies for Hyundai, and will invest between $11 and $30 million in Alabama. Currently, AIDT has 11 projects in Huntsville/Madison County with 2,240 individuals in training. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Williams International, Matsu Alabama, Palco Telecom Services, Mitchell Plastics, Siemens VDO Automotive, International Diesel, and Wright-K Technologies are among local companies that have used AIDT services. Stephanie Deemer, external affairs for local Toyota, commented, “AIDT assisted Toyota in our selection and training process. We are very pleased with the dedicated, skilled and diverse workforce we've found in Huntsville." “AIDT’s employee candidate recruitment and industrial maintenance and assessment services distinguish it from related workforce training organizations in other states,” explained Phyllis Wesley, public information officer at AIDT. Castile also remarked that AIDT’s preemployment process – recruitment, prescreening, training – enjoys international acclaim. The recruiting process includes publication of advertisements listing new employment opportunities and information. AIDT project managers and staff from clientcompanies conduct interviews with selected applicants. Qualified applicants are invited to attend training; upon successful completion

of the program, these candidates are recommended for employment. Industrial maintenance and assessment services help identify candidates who are best qualified to keep manufacturing facilities effectively and efficiently operating through corrective and preventive maintenance of equipment and processes. Qualified candidates for industrial maintenance must successfully complete assessments that include a skills demonstration and a written examination consisting of 195 multiple-choice questions. Typically, AIDT’s applicants for training programs have employment, but are seeking better jobs. These people have the work experience, skills and proven work ethic to move into higher positions. This creates a series of upward movements and provides opportunities for others to fill the positions they leave. “A dilemma we face,” noted Castile, “is the waning number of people to enter the bottom of the process.” Castile added that the state has some solutions including, but not limited to the Alabama Office for Workforce Development, the post-secondary education system with institutions like Calhoun Community College and Drake State Technical College, the Alabama Technology Network and the Alabama Department of Education’s Career/Technical Education programs. The Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute and the Alabama Technology Network are part of the Alabama College System, making them part of Alabama’s two-year college system. Plus, the Alabama Career Center is a valuable partner in helping AIDT distribute and collect training applications. Alabama continued on page 13 11 Initiatives December 2004

12 December 2004 Initiatives

continued from page 11

Career Centers are located throughout the state and provide 30 one-stop and 31 satellite centers for job development, training, vocational rehabilitation, unemployment insurance, and veterans services. The workforce development office of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce sponsors a variety of school-tocareer programs. To increase the number of local schoolchildren who participate in job shadowing and other “real-life” job experiences, the chamber recently partnered with Junior Achievement of North Alabama (JANA). According to JANA representatives, the partnership represents one of a handful of similar relationships Junior Achievement enjoys nationwide and will, in time, provide a blueprint for other community organizations to emulate. “This partnership incorporates the strengths of each organization. The chamber, with its business and industry relationships, facilitates, while Junior Achievement, with its programmatic expertise, creates and implements,” remarked Joe Austin, the chamber’s vice chairman for workforce development. Chiefly, the partnership aims to provide area young people with the skills, knowledge and motivation needed to be successful in school, the workplace and life, while ensuring a qualified labor pool is available to meet employment demands of the future. Similarly, the Launch program, housed at the chamber, is designed to help out-ofschool, at-risk youth between the ages of 1621 attain a GED, become involved with leadership activities, and achieve meaningful employment. A youth coordinator and professional counselor work with these youth to help them obtain the knowledge and skills needed to become self-sufficient. Utilizing and promoting local training programs to attract both U.S. and foreign industry and investment to Alabama is becoming increasingly important. Unique and highly efficient workforce training programs have given Alabama the global reputation of a competitive market with a wide range of resources. Huntsville/Madison County has an incredible opportunity to enhance economic development by meeting the needs of individuals and corporations, and to continue to improve the quality of life in our community. • Anna Swain

Alabama Technology Network Provided by ATN The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) helps manufacturers in Alabama improve their global competitiveness through technical assistance, workforce training and technology transfer. ATN is comprised of ten centers linking the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and selected two-year colleges throughout the state. Each center tailors its services to meet local needs. ATN links industry with its technological resources to deliver the help needed to increase efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. For example, ATN consultants might conduct detailed needs assessments, outline potential solutions based on the results, and then provide technical assistance to help solve problems. Does your industry need greater automation? Product development and design? Environmental assistance? ATN can provide the experts to address a solution. As a nonprofit organization, ATN provides services at a reasonable cost to business.

Teledyne Brown Applies Lean Principles to Manufacturing Environment Situation Teledyne's product line had fragmented workflow. Employees moved parts from one station to another, and often to the other side of the plant. The workstations were not optimally organized for moving products. Employees wasted time looking for material and work orders. Assistance ATN-UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville) provided Lean 101: Principles of Lean Manufacturing for 150 employees. During the course, a factory floor was simulated. Employees were given instructions for putting together circuit boards. In the first exercise, workstations were unorganized and far apart, much like the situation at Teledyne. During the course, participants went back to the floor three times, each time applying what they learned in the classroom. After each simulation, they measured total orders shipped, the amount of inventory, lead time, quality and part travel. The more they learned and applied, the more their scores improved. Results Lean 101 caused participants to see their workplace differently; they experienced the benefits of applying lean to their product line. The knowledge gained was the first step toward continuous improvement.

13 Initiatives December 2004

14 December 2004 Initiatives

Cummings Research Park Expansion Plans in Play

ith the national economy on the rebound, local companies are huddling around previously shelved expansion strategies. Many are finding consolidation of multiple office locations and increased capacity for new hires a logical next step in their business plans. Cummings Research Park (CRP) is a top pick for high tech companies who want to build their teams, noted Rick Davis, park director. Home to more than 225 companies and 23,000 employees, CRP is the nation’s secondlargest science and technology park and the fourth-largest in the world. Of the more than 3,840 acres of land, slightly more than 900 acres remain available for existing companies to expand or for new companies to relocate. “These trends toward corporate expansion are perfect for CRP because we have a preferred location close to the arsenal and available land. Couple that with a world-class infrastructure provided by the City of Huntsville, and you have all the incentives a company would need to expand or locate in the park,” added Davis. Two companies, BAE Systems Inc., and Analytical Services, Inc., were the first to move into the expansion mode. BAE Systems has a 25,000 square-foot building under construction adjacent to its current headquarters on Voyager Way. And the company has an option on 11 acres of land north of that location for future expansion.

“Our goal has been to consolidate our operations on one campus in CRP,” said C. Thomas Houser, chief operating officer at BAE Systems. “When our new building is completed, we’ll move our local headquarters into that building, and we’ll have all of our Huntsville operations in two buildings.” Houser said BAE Systems employs 320 people in Huntsville, “and we expect that to grow to 400 by the end of 2005.” Analytical Services, Inc., (ASI) an aerospace and defense contractor, is expected to break ground this month for construction of its 25,000 square-foot headquarters building on Voyager Way, just north of BAE Systems. Irma Tuder, ASI president and chief executive officer said, “We expect to create 200 jobs over the next three years with this expansion.” ASI has plans for an additional 25,000 square foot building in a potential future expansion on the site. One of the most anticipated projects in CRP is the proposed World Famous Bridge Street, a $210 million, mixed-use development on a 100-acre site at the corner of Research Park Boulevard and Old Madison Pike. O & S Holdings, LLC of Los Angeles is the project developer, and Gary Safady, managing partner of the company, said the project remains on schedule for a late 2006 opening. “We have made tremendous progress in our negotiations for the region’s first four-star

hotel, an impressive list of upscale retailers, and an exciting combination of new restaurants and entertainment venues,” Safady said. The project will include the aforementioned hotel with a conference center; an upscale, open-air town center; specialty retail shops; Class A office buildings; and residential apartment and condominium units. “Leasing for the retail and restaurant space is on schedule, with more than 60 percent of that space either committed or actively under negotiation,” informed Safady. “We anticipate the long-awaited announcement for the operating flag for the hotel and conference facility by the end of 2004.” The entire project will be constructed on the shores of two large, custom-designed lakes. “O & S Holdings hopes to close on the 100-acre property at the end of our current option agreement, which will be in the first quarter of 2005,” Safady added. Construction continues on the campus of Huntsville’s newest high school, Columbia High School, which is scheduled to open in August 2005. The campus, along the westernmost boundary of CRP, will house both Columbia and New Century Technology high schools. New Century Technology will move from its current location on Wynn Drive in the Calhoun Community College Huntsville campus building. See parks, pages 16-17 15 Initiatives December 2004

Cummings Research Park (CRP) is one of the leading science and technology parks in the world. As a visionary publicprivate partnership, CRP has built a legacy of success for more than 43 years, and is now the second largest research park in the U.S. and fourth largest in the world. CRP continues to provide a competitive business advantage in a constantly changing high technology environment.

NORTH

HUNTSVILLE INDUSTRIAL PARK

North Huntsville Industrial Park is the newest industrial park. Located in North Huntsville, this property is owned by the City of Huntsville and Zoned Planned Industrial. All utilities are in place and underground, with curb and gutters. The park contains over 600 acres.

For over 30 years, Chase Industrial Park has attracted manufacturing, assembly plants, processing, warehousing and wholesale distribution operations. Located in northeast Huntsville, this 1,700-acre park is a development of the Madison County Commission. It is home to more than 35 domestic and international companies with products ranging from missile and space vehicle components, compact discs/DVD, copper plastic products, street sweeping machines, and pharmaceuticals.

n Residents include Toyota Motor Manufacturing

Alabama, Inc. n 200 acres available for development

CRP’s 3,800 acres are home to a uniquely focused alliance of business, government, and academic research initiatives – attracting a vibrant and distinguished concentration of research and development activity.

n Residents include CINRAM, CF Flag, Available Plastics,

J & J South Central and PPG Industries n 40 acres available for development

n Developed by the City of Huntsville n More than 220 companies active in more than 40 separate

technology fields, including 20 FORTUNE 500 companies

CHELSEA

Thornton Research Park is a new research applications park located near the research and development companies in CRP. Thornton is also closely situated to Redstone Arsenal’s U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. This park is owned by the UAH Foundation, and is intended as a complement to CRP to allow for light manufacturing and production work.

INDUSTRIAL PARK

n Residents include Browning Ferris Industries (BFI),

Parker-Hannifin, Garton Plumbing and Green Mountain Soap Company n 25 acres available for development

n Residents include DirectTV, CAS, and Cinram n 400 acres available for development.

SOUTHPOINT INDUSTRIAL PARK

Chelsea, developed by the City of Huntsville, is located in southwest Huntsville, east of Redstone Arsenal. A steamgenerating facility is equipped to supply steam to park residents for use in production, heating and cooling. Currently, the park has 80 acres.

This park, owned by The Hollingsworth Companies, contains speculative buildings. Presently, a 130,000 square foot building is available on 14 acres. There are 260 acres within the park that will house 15 buildings. Build-to-suit opportunities exist.

LOWE

INDUSTRIAL PARK

Lowe Industrial Park, one of our older parks, is located just east of the Huntsville International Airport. The park offers quick access to both the airport and I-565. The University of Alabama in Huntsville Foundation owns the property. n Residents include Intergraph Corporation,

MATSU Manufacturing, Inc., Kohler Corporation and Engelhard Corporation n 20 acres available for development

Jetplex Industrial Park is located adjacent to the Huntsville International Airport and offers Foreign Trade Zone #83, the International Intermodal Center, U.S. Customs Port of Entry and interstate access via I-565. The Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority manages the park, which contains 1,700 acres and 22 corporate residents. n Residents include The Boeing Company, Raytheon, LG Electronics

and Siemens VDO Automotive n 200 acres available for development

JETPLEX

INDUSTRIAL PARK SOUTH

Just outside the boundaries of Jetplex Industrial Park’s Foreign Trade Zone, this park offers the convenience of access to airport amenities. Owned by Heritage Plantation, it contains more than 900 acres, and is zoned Planned Industrial.

TRIANA

INDUSTRIAL PARK

Developed by the City of Triana, this park is the lowestpriced industrial land in Madison County and offers close proximity to the Huntsville International Airport. n Park’s major employer: Triana Industries,

an electronics assembly n 110 acres available for development

n 800 acres available for development

17 December 2004 Initiatives

Initiatives December 2004

NEAR SBDC

Increasing Services to Increase Small Business Profitability

he Northeast Alabama Regional Small Business Development Center (NEAR SBDC) is a local non-profit organization operating with the primary mission to help reduce the failure rate of small businesses in the region and to help businesses increase their ability to generate profit. In the coming months, the center plans to improve the economic impact of its counseling services by forming a virtual, non-facilitiesbased incubator. Kenneth Scislaw, NEAR SBCD executive director explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like a traditional incubator, the center will surround a small group of selected clients with local business mentors. These peer mentors will help the entrepreneur to seize opportunities and to avoid common business mistakes.â&#x20AC;? This project will allow the NEAR SBDC to provide greater depth and quality of services to its clients. The center also expects to develop new training conferences, events, and seminars over the coming months targeted to the technical sectors. According to Scislaw, the local defense and aerospace industries are filled with talented employees with marketable technologies and business ideas. The first step to encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship is to provide numerous opportunities for those skilled in the technical disciplines to access critical management and marketing training. The NEAR SBDC is funded primarily by the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). In addition to financial support from the SBA and DLA, the center receives major funding from three area partners: Alabama A&M University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Offices of the NEAR SBDC are located at the Chamber of Commerce. Kenneth Scislaw, NEAR SBDC executive director, is also a faculty member at UAH, lecturing in New Venture Strategies. He has also taught Research Methods for an executive MBA program at University College Dublin, Dublin Ireland. Just prior to coming to SBDC, he founded and operated a private institutional investment consulting practice, providing advisory services for fund fiduciaries. Funds under consultation totaled over $1 billion.

18 December 2004 Initiatives

Economic Indicators POPULA TION

Madison County

City of Huntsville

City of Madison

Huntsville Metro Area

EMPLOYMEN T* Huntsville Metro Area**

SEPT 2004

SEPT 2003 190,100

1980 Census

196,966

145,604

6,081

242,971

Total Non-ag Employment .......................................................... 191,500

1990 Census

238,912

161,842

16,813

293,047

Mining & Construction .................................................................... 7,700

7,300

2000 Census

276,700

158,216

29,329

342,376

Manufacturing .............................................................................. 30,000

30,600

2003 Estimate

289,662

164,237

34,080

357,907

Trade, Transportation & Utilities .................................................... 30,600

30,300

4.5%

Information ...................................................................................... 2,100

2,300

% Growth 2000-2003

4.7%

3.8%

16.2%

Households

Financial Activity ............................................................................ 6,000

5,900

Professional & Business Services ................................................ 37,700

36,600

1980 Census

67,082

51,113

2,040

82,440

Education & Health Services ........................................................ 11,500

12,500

1990 Census

91,208

63,838

6,681

110,893

Leisure & Hospitality...................................................................... 16,400

15,600

2000 Census

109,955

66,742

11,143

134,643

Other Services ................................................................................ 7,600

7,500

Government .................................................................................. 41,900

41,500

Race 2003 Population Estimate

* Based on place of employment. **Includes Madison & Limestone counties Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations (Place of work figures)

289,662

164,237

34,080

357,907

White

72.1%

64.5%

80.1%

74.3%

LABOR FORCE *

Black

22.8%

30.2%

13.0%

21.0%

Huntsville Region (Counties)

SEPT 2004

SEPT 2003

Asian & Pacific Islander

2.0%

2.3%

3.6%

1.7%

Madison ......................................................................................153,940

153,250

Other Races

3.1%

3.0%

3.3%

3.0%

Limestone...................................................................................... 33,150

32,910

Jackson ........................................................................................ 25,690

25,710

Marshall ........................................................................................ 38,310

39,110

Income & Age Average Household Income

$57,220

$55,856

$72,432

$55,343

Morgan .......................................................................................... 55,360

55,780

Per Capita Income

$23,091

$24,015

$27,821

$22,073

Franklin, TN .................................................................................. 20,770

20,850

35.7

36.7

34.5

35.7

Giles, TN........................................................................................ 15,450

15,950

Lincoln, TN .................................................................................... 15,470

15,410

Huntsville Regional Total ........................................................ 358,140

358,970

Median Age

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)

* Based on place of residence. Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, Tennessee Department of Employment Security

RETAIL SALES Huntsville Region - (000’s) 2003 Annual Retail Sales

Total Retail Sales

Food & Restaurants

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE*

Furniture & Merchandise

SEPT 2004

SEPT 2003

Automotive

Huntsville Metropolitan Area............................................................ 4.3%

4.7%

$4,309,588

$794,380

$1,078,483

$1,036,638

Madison County .............................................................................. 4.1%

4.5%

Limestone Co.

$622,283

$135,423

$134,054

$138,998

Huntsville Region ............................................................................ 5.1%

5.8%

Jackson Co.

$487,420

$120,892

$104,958

$90,913

Alabama .......................................................................................... 5.7%

5.9%

Marshall Co.

$1,280,602

$174,487

$233,954

$602,366

United States .................................................................................. 5.1%

5.8%

Morgan Co.

$1,535,514

$304,283

$270,972

$446,721

Madison Co.

Lawrence Co.

$258,048

$60,722

$39,648

$33,055

Franklin Co. (TN)

$334,460

$118,465

$62,472

$55,572

Giles Co. (TN)

$292,951

$57,536

$33,640

$84,398

Lincoln Co. (TN)

$318,729

$56,001

$64,473

$103,356

$9,439,595

$1,822,189

$2,022,654

$2,592,017

Regional Total

Source: Sales & Marketing Management, 2004 Survey of Buying Power — Printed with permission.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

JAN-SEPT 2004

# of Projects

Square Feet

Total Const. Contracts .................. 1,657

JAN-SEPT 2003

$ Value

# of Projects

Square Feet

$ Value

5,584,000

$423,357,000

1,275

4,372,000

$339,053,000

Commercial ........................................ 93

735,000

$55,676,000

806,000

$53,543,000

Manufacturing ...................................... 5

146,000

$11,696,000

67,000

$4,193,000

Single Family .................................. 1,379

2,948,000

$120,671,000

968

2,070,000

$79,367,000

Multi-Family ........................................ 16

601,000

$43,432,000

559,000

$27,606,000

* 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 2nd QTR 2004 Composite Grocery

Atlanta, GA

TransHealth portation Care

Goods & Services

Index

Items

Housing

Utilities

97.4

97.6

92.3

89.0

103.6

101.4

Dallas, TX

95.5

91.1

85.2

99.8

102.4

102.8

102.4

Huntsville, AL

91.6

103.0

73.1

93.9

102.1

94.4

99.6

Orlando, FL

98.9

99.5

89.2

98.3

100.7

94.3

107.3

St. Louis, MO

100.3

98.9

94.8

97.9

95.7

100.8

107.2

Washington, D.C.

138.9

111.8

193.6

110.7

124.7

123.8

114.7

Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association. (www.accra.org)

HOME SALES

Source: F.W. Dodge — Printed with permission.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

SEPT 2004

SEPT 2003

% Change 03-04

Index

United States...............................................................189.9

2.5%

185.2

2.3%

South Region...............................................................182.8

2.5%

178.3

2.4%

Index All Urban Consumers

% Change 02-03

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Atlanta, GA., December 1982=100 base. (http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm)

20 December 2004 Initiatives

SEPT 2004

SEPT 2003

Houses on Market ............................................................................ 4,159

3,714

Houses Sold ........................................................................................ 725

693

Houses Sold Year-to-Date ................................................................ 6,363

5,571

Avg. Selling Price ........................................................................ $140,856

$134,067

Avg. Days on Market .......................................................................... 106

150

Median Sales Price .................................................................... $124,500

$117,900

Source: Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS (Realtor-listed properties only)

Economy At-A-Glance Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama, is located in the middle of the southeastern United States with more than four million people within a 100-mile radius. The Huntsville community is the primary economic hub of the north Alabama/southern Tennessee region. The counties adjoining Madison County combine to form an eightcounty regional market with a population totaling 700,000 people.

LEADING EMPLOYERS U.S. Army/Redstone Arsenal . . . . . . . . . . .11,141 Huntsville Hospital System . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,355 Huntsville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000 The Boeing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000 NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center . . . . . .2,754 City of Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,186 Sanmina-SCI

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,000

Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,936 ADTRAN, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,700 Intergraph Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,700 Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. . . . . . . . . .1,700

Huntsville/Madison County 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.

CINRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,600 Walmart/Sam s Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,581 Teledyne Brown Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . .1,338 SAIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,180 University of Alabama in Huntsville . . . . . . .1,112 West Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,100 Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,073 Alabama A&M University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 890 Lockheed Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .844 Northrop Grumman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .807 LG Electronics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800 Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama . . . . . .800 Jacobs Sverdrup Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . 792 Benchmark Electronics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750 Target Distribution Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 750 COLSA Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 Computer Sciences Corporation . . . . . . . . . .700 Crestwood Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668 CAS, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 650 Madison City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644 Dynetics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 Engelhard Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 Source: Chamber of Commerce

Aerospace Huntsville/Madison County is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Nearly every major U.S. aerospace corporation is represented with 90+ companies employing more than 11,000 people in the local aerospace industry. Defense Huntsville/Madison County plays a key role in the U.S. Army’s technology development programs. A majority of the Army’s weapons procurement budget is managed by Huntsville-based operations. Likewise, more than half of the Army’s foreign weapons sales are handled through Redstone Arsenal. Military and support contract employment tops 32,000. Electronics More than 300 international and domestic corporations in Huntsville/ Madison County are involved in the design and production of electronics and computer-related technology, including CINRAM, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of DVD products. Research & Technology Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park is the country’s second largest research and technology park, containing 225 companies employing 23,000 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.

21 Initiatives December 2004

22 December 2004 Initiatives

International Intermodel Center at the Port of Huntsville

Port of Huntsville Excels Airport, Intermodal Center Celebrate Growth, Plans for the Future Huntsville International Airport

s passenger numbers continue to grow at Huntsville International Airport, thoughts of the future are never far away. Being a predominantly business travel airport, passengers began returning to the skies via Huntsville International after the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks more quickly than at many other airports across the nation. Airlines serving Huntsville began adding service to the market. Three new, non-stop destinations, including Detroit, Orlando and Newark, brought six daily round-trip flights. In addition, existing destinations added flights to increase operations. In fact, 2003 posted the second highest number of passengers on record. Through September 2004, passenger traffic was up 11 percent over 2003 and is on pace to set an all-time record. Independence Air began service on October 1, 2004 with six daily flights to Washington D.C. and added two flights a day to both Tampa and Orlando in November. With steady growth and increases in services, the infrastructure of airport facilities must fall into line. Huntsville International Airport is planning an $87 million expansion and renovation project. Construction has begun on the first of a nine-phase project. Design and construction will last five years and include customer service upgrades to the concourse, flight information display systems, public waiting areas, concessions, baggage claim area, passenger and baggage screening, curbside check-in, covered parking and the entrance access road. “Customer service has long been a top priority for the board of directors and staff at Huntsville International Airport. We want our customers to have a pleasant traveling experience each time they use our services. I’m confident that this meets our customer service goals and does so in a way which dramatically

improves upon an already first-class facility serving this community,” stated Rick Tucker, executive director of the Port of Huntsville. The concourse renovations will include two additional, air-conditioned jet bridges with baggage lifts. The concourse will also receive a cosmetic facelift with new carpeting, wall covering and ceiling tiles. The flight information display system will be upgraded using the latest technology and will also be added in the 10-minute waiting area in front of the terminal building for ease of passenger pick up. Expanded food concessions increase options for passengers. Larger public waiting areas will be provided at checkpoint security, allowing for the greater number of people who are picking up and dropping off travelers. The new waiting area at checkpoint will feature two-story, vaulted ceilings, incorporating panoramic windows to bring in natural light and provide a view of aircraft arrivals and departures. In addition to the new waiting area at checkpoint, the entire front of the ticketing lobby will be modified to allow a view of the terminal front curbside. Customers will be able to stay indoors, protected from the elements, while watching for their ride. This architectural design feature will open up and brighten the waiting areas while giving unimpeded views of operations. Additional customer service improvements include modifying curbside check-in to expand the waiting area and provide better protection during inclement weather. An additional baggage carousel will facilitate wait times. The passenger screening checkpoint area will be expanded to accommodate a third and fourth screening lane, alleviating congestion during peak travel times. Checked baggage screening will be relocated from the ticket lobby to better accommodate overall traffic flow. As part of this expansion project, a new parking deck will be constructed for additional

covered parking. Bill Johnston, Jr., chairman of the board of directors, stated, “These improvements will carry us into the next ten years of development of the airport. Careful planning was used throughout this process to encompass not only normal growth over a ten year period, but also to prepare us for the airport’s future needs.” The future began sooner than expected with the arrival of low fare carrier Independence Air. With an added ten daily flights, the renovation project is timely. “The planned expansion of checkpoint security lanes, additional jet bridges, public waiting areas and baggage claim will directly benefit all of our customers. However, with the addition of a low fare carrier to our market, we anticipate that passenger traffic will increase as well. We are ahead of the game with 18 months of planning and design behind us. Huntsville International Airport prides itself on forward, proactive thinking. We try to anticipate our future needs and meet them before a challenge arrives,” stated Rick Tucker, executive director. Upon completion, this expansion and renovation project will increase the airport’s passenger capacity, as well as provide customer service upgrades. As Huntsville and the surrounding areas continue to grow, the Port of Huntsville will continue to anticipate and meet the changing needs of customers in the immediate, as well as the distant future, noted Tucker.

International Intermodal Center In October, the International Intermodal Center (IIC), located at Huntsville International Airport, celebrated the completion of $13.4 million in capital improvements – part of an ongoing $24 million expansion. U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby were among government and business continued on page 25 23 Initiatives December 2004

24 December 2004 Initiatives

continued from page 23

leaders who gathered to salute upgrades such as increased capacity of the rail yard and increased depot storage, as well as the addition of a 45ton rubber tire overhead gantry crane and the completion of a railroad track extension. “The complex was built to help industry do business in a global marketplace. Ninety percent of the cargo in and out of the center has an international origin or destination,” said Rick Tucker. Robert Martinez, vice president of business development for Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC), noted that 94 percent of NSC’s volume at Huntsville is international. Intermodal business at NSC expanded 20 percent overall for 2003, observed Martinez, but volume at Huntsville had an even bigger increase of 36 percent. “Thirty-seven percent of our Huntsville volume travels over the ports of Charleston and Savannah and 54 percent of the traffic is interchanged with one of the western railroads via our Memphis gateway, most of which is either heading to or coming from Asia,” he recited. According to Martinez, that says a couple of things. “It says that Huntsville has succeeded in integrating itself into an excruciatingly dynamic and competitive global market with beneficial economic ramifications for all of northern Alabama and the broader Tennessee Valley region. But, it also means that your success here is contributing elsewhere to America’s prosperity, whether at East Coast ports, or in Southern California, or the Pacific Northwest.” An airport runway extension project, completed earlier this year at a cost of $31 million, made the Huntsville airport runway the second longest in the Southeast, after Miami International Airport. The runway can now accommodate any aircraft in production or development. A longer, more versatile, runway makes the Port of Huntsville more attractive to a regional, domestic or international cargo hub operation. The International Intermodal Center enables companies to transfer, distribute and store products and goods from one central location. The combination of rail, air and highway modes of transportation, coupled with the onsite service of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USDA, freight forwarders and brokers, makes this facility extremely attractive to global customers. Note: In addition to operating Huntsville International Airport and the International Intermodal Center, the Port of Huntsville operates Jetplex Industrial Park.

• Cindy Maloney Port of Huntsville 25 Initiatives December 2004

HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com Taking the Huntsville Region to the World

ow, more then ever, the first place to get information on communities is the World Wide Web. Web sites for cities and communities are no longer a luxury, but a critical component in marketing a location. The Chamber’s recently revamped HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com is a comprehensive and highly accessible Web site for attracting new residents and growing companies. Ken Smith, the Chamber’s director of research and information services, asserted the organization’s efforts are critical to economic development. “We spent many months researching the best community and economic development Web sites across the country and have incorporated their most compelling elements into what we feel is a very strong and informational presence. We want the right information in the hands of the right people so they can make well-informed decisions about our community.” According to Bob Ady, head of Ady International in Chicago and one of the country's leading site location consultants for companies interested in expansion, companies may make their first cut of potential sites based solely on information found on community Web sites. A community can be eliminated without even knowing it was being considered in the first place. Establishing a comprehensive, attractive Web site is part of the challenge: Keeping it updated is another. “It’s critical for us to supply accurate and reliable data as it changes,” stated Smith. “Our ability to add information and maintain the Web site inhouse, using our staff at the Chamber, allows

P ic t u re o f h ome p age

our Web site to be extremely flexible and accommodating. This helps strengthen our appeal and credibility as the community's source for economic information, and allows us to continually improve as new information is made available.” Ethan Hadley, the Chamber’s vice president for economic development, notes marketing the Web site is imperative in making community information available. “It doesn’t matter how good your information is

if no one sees it. Our efforts are aimed at putting the Chamber’s HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com Web address in front of key corporate decision-makers and site location consultants to ensure they know where to find the initial information before contacting us directly.” • Ken Smith To access the Chamber’s website, please go to HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com

27 December 2004 Initiatives

Initiatives December 2004

HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com Taking the Huntsville Region to the World

ow, more than ever, the first place to get information on communities is the World Wide Web. Web sites for cities and communities are no longer a luxury, but a critical component in marketing a location. The Chamber’s recently revamped HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com is a comprehensive and highly accessible Web site for attracting new residents and growing companies. Ken Smith, the Chamber’s director of research and information services, asserted the organization’s efforts are critical to economic development. “We spent many months researching the best community and economic development Web sites across the country and have incorporated their most compelling elements into what we feel is a very strong and informational presence. We want the right information in the hands of the right people so they can make well-informed decisions about our community.” According to Bob Ady, head of Ady International in Chicago and one of the country's leading site location consultants for companies interested in expansion, companies may make their first cut of potential sites based solely on information found on community Web sites. A community can be eliminated without even knowing it was being considered in the first place. Establishing a comprehensive, attractive Web site is part of the challenge: Keeping it updated is another. “It’s critical for us to supply accurate and reliable data as it changes,” stated Smith. “Our ability to add information and maintain the Web site inhouse, using our staff at the Chamber, allows

ting the Chamber’s HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com Web address in front of key corporate decision-makers and site location consultants to ensure they know where to find the initial information before contacting us directly.”

To access the Chamber’s website, please go to HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com

27 Initiatives December 2004

28 December 2004 Initiatives

29 Initiatives December 2004

Member Developments

HREGI Investors Chairman’s Council

($50,000+ invested: Private Sector)

Huntsville Hospital • Regions Bank • Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.

Development Partners

($50,000+ invested: Public Sector)

City of Huntsville • Huntsville Utilities • Huntsville/Madison Co. Airport Authority Madison County Commission • Tennessee Valley Authority

President’s Circle

($25,000-$49,999 invested)

ADTRAN • AmSouth Bank • BellSouth • Colonial Bank • Compass Bank Crestwood Medical Ctr • DaimlerChrysler Corp. • Redstone Federal Credit Union SouthTrust Bank • The Boeing Company • The Huntsville Times

Chamber Trustees

($10,000-$24,999 invested)

Avocent Corporation • Beason & Nalley, Inc. • Bill Penney Toyota Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama • Camber Corporation • CINRAM, Inc. Slyman Development/Providence Properties ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 1, 2004. The building located at 7 Town Center Drive in the new Village of Providence off Providence Main Street houses several businesses. For more information call (256) 772-7060.

COLSA Corporation • Continental Airlines • Huntsville Area Assoc. of Realtors Huntsville/Madison Co. Builders Assoc., Inc. • Intergraph Corporation Lamar Outdoor Advertising • Northrop Grumman • SAIC • Sparta, Inc. SportsMed • Teledyne Brown Engineering

Progress Partners

($5,000-$9,999 invested)

AEgis Technologies • Analytical Services, Inc. • BAE Systems Balch & Bingham • Coldwell Banker/McLain Real Estate • Colonial Properties Consolidated Construction • Dynetics • Enfinger Development Engelhard Corp. • ERC, Inc. • First American Bank • First Commercial Bank HiWAAY Internet Services • International Diesel • Intuitive Research and Technology Corp. • Keystone Foods Corp. • Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne LG Electronics Alabama, Inc. • NAI Chase Commercial Realty The Orthopaedic Center • Parker Hannifin Corp. • Radiology of Huntsville, P.C. Samples Properties • Sirote & Permutt, P.C. • J. Smith Lanier & Company SOUTHBank • The Surgery Center of Huntsville • Turner Universal Construction Union Planters • WAFF-TV • Wilmer & Lee, P.A. • Anonymous SouthTrust Bank celebrated the Grand Opening of its Research Park office located at 6244 University Drive (relocated from Madison Square). Teresa Wagnon, branch manager, and her staff recently won “Cornerstone Branch of the Year for 2004” for overall branch of the market. Call (256) 830-5113.

Progress Investors

($2,500-$4,999 invested)

Averbuch Realty Co., Inc. • Baron Services • Bradley Arant Rose & White Chapman Sisson Architects • Copeland’s • Currie Systems • DESE Research, Inc. Fountain Parker Harbarger & Associates • Fuqua Osborn Architects The Heritage Club • Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. • Infinity Technology Jacobs Sverdrup • JH Partners Architecture & Interiors • Johnston, Moore, Maples & Thompson • Lamb Commercial Services, Inc. • Madison Research Corp. Oceaneering International • Wesfam Restaurants, Inc. - Burger King Westar Corporation • WHNT-19 • Wilson Lumber

Take Stock in Huntsville/Madison County

(<$2,500 invested)

Arnold Hornbuckle • Available Plastics • Bill Johnston, Jr. • Charles G. Robinson, Attorney • CityScapes, LLC • Crabtree Rowe & Berger, P.C. Curves for Women Hampton Cove • Davidson Technologies • Decatur Transit FLS, Inc. • General & Automotive Machine Shop, Inc. • Gray Research, Inc. G.W. Jones & Sons • Heartland Sunrooms & Spas • Heritage Bank • Ivan Allen OMI, Inc. • O & S Enterprises, Inc. • Park Supply Co. • Pearce Construction Phoenix • Quantitech, Inc. • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Hampton Cove Wiregrass Hospice is pleased to announce the opening of its new office at 303 Williams Avenue, Suite 116, in downtown Huntsville. For more information or to make a referral, please call (256) 519-8808 or (866) 424-6010. You may also visit us on the web at wiregrasshospice.com.

Snelling Personnel Services • Stanley Construction State Farm’s Marshall England • The Real Yellow Pages Tetra Tech, Inc. • Vulcan Heating and Air Conditioning West Huntsville Land Company • White, Fleming & Co., P.C.

30 December 2004 Initiatives

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit# 206 Huntsville, AL