Economic Development
SEEDS Act Support
Alabama’s success in attracting business has ushered in a new challenge in continuing the state’s leading economic status — a scarcity of “shovel-ready” high-quality industrial sites for future economic development. To our benefit, the legislature enacted the Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act in 2023 and provided additional funding in 2024. Competition for economic investment is fierce, and Alabama is not the first state to recognize the importance of investing in industrial site development. Competitive states strategically identify promising properties and invest in their development to make them attractive.
Provisions should be included in SEEDS Act funding to ensure that grants are equally distributed by Congressional Districts.
Enhanced funding for Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce will seek additional funding authority to expand the impact of the Department’s recruitment of new industry to the State and the expansion of existing industry. This additional funding will be used to establish an Alabama Development Fund (ADF) to help kickstart many of the priorities identified during the implementation phase of CatALyst, the State’s comprehensive economic development plan. The ADF would be funded by collecting a small portion of taxes that previously would have been abated, thereby very slightly reducing the incentive. For sales tax, the State would keep 0.75percent. For property tax, the State would keep 1.0 mill. This plan helps Alabama invest in new economic development programs that will assist the recruitment efforts across the state by benefiting from our successes.
Increase Caps on Entertainment Industry Incentives
The Chamber identified music as one of our key targeted industries when we updated our strategic industry growth plan in 2022. This industry has a desirable economic impact as well as enhancing the quality of life in our community. The State of Alabama is likewise interested in growing the entertainment industry in the State. To enhance entertainment industry growth, additional economic development incentives, specific to this industry and inclusive of music, are needed. We support increasing the cap on entertainment industry incentives and including the music industry as an eligible recipient.
PreK–12 Education
Thriving public schools are essential to a thriving business community and economy. The Chamber urges the Legislature to prioritize policy and budget allocations that ensure the academic needs, physical safety, and health and well-being of every child to prepare them for long-term success.
The Chamber strongly supports the recommendations presented by the Governor’s Commission on Teaching and Learning in its report dated December 1, 2023, to enhance the quality of elementary and secondary education in Alabama. Some, though not all, of these recommendations are reinforced in the areas of focus noted below.
To ensure our schools thrive and our community prospers, the Chamber supports changes to the school funding formula that prioritizes critical student needs and provides schools with the resources they require.
Quality Teaching and Learning FULLY FUNDED MANDATES
High quality education requires investment in people and resources to achieve success. We support efforts to fully fund any mandated PreK-12 programs in our schools. Most notably, we support fully implementing and funding the Literacy and Numeracy Acts, which have proven to be successful models. This includes funding associated elementary instructional coaches for both reading and math, after-school, and summer programs. Access to these programs also demands that student transportation deficits be addressed.
Prepare All Students for Long Term Success
STUDENT SUPPORT
Students need a safe, supportive environment to learn. We support having fully funded nurses in every school. Given ongoing mental health needs, we support additional mental health services for students, including a fully funded mental health counselor and continued support for mental health service coordinator positions, and an increased number of counselor positions in middle and high schools. We also support funding a line item for school safety expenditures.
Teacher engagement and school-level leadership are critical to student success. We support lowering the divisors in classrooms for grades 4 through 8 to achieve a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:18. Additionally, we support increased at-risk funding to better reflect the intensive instructional needs of at-risk students – students who are high poverty, high academic need, including special education students, or both.
To ensure equitable access for all students, we support increased funding levels for transportation.
SCHOOL READINESS
We recommend that Pre-K be fully funded in all school systems so that every family who wishes to participate has the ability to do so. Ongoing research shows that graduates of Alabama’s First-Class Pre-K program have higher math and reading proficiency levels than their peers, regardless of zip code, demographics or school.
Additionally, to provide students with a foundation for success, we support efforts that would require students to complete kindergarten before entering first grade.
COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
It is critical that all students graduate college and career ready. We support funding the necessary efforts to provide the courses, certifications, and programs for all students to achieve these indicators. Students in grades 5-8 should participate in meaningful career exploration activities and all high school students should have access to a high-quality career coach to plan for graduation and beyond. We support moving the current 9th grade career prep class to the middle school curriculum, which allows students to effectively engage in relevant career tech and/or college-aligned coursework in high school.
To provide students with critical, relevant experiences, we support increased funding for school-based gifted and robotics programs, as well as fine arts programs. Science, technology, engineering, and math are critical to our future workforce and our economy, as are careers in growing local industries, including music and the arts.
Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development
We strongly support efforts to attract and retain talent in our schools to ensure high quality education for our students and long-term success for our region. Recognizing the criticality of highly qualified individuals in the teaching profession, we support funding to ensure ongoing teacher salary increases. Raising teacher salaries to be more commensurate with other respected professions will also help with teacher and school morale and help counter a pervasive loss of respect for the teaching profession.
To address specific shortages with teacher recruitment efforts, we support creative solutions such as signing bonuses for hard-to-fill positions and the use of adjunct teachers who can bolster the regular profession with their subject-matter expertise, especially in STEM subjects. To help with teacher recruitment and retention, we support allowing retirees to come back into the teaching profession without compromising their retirement income. We also support efforts that will allow other state retirees to work in our K-12 schools in critical support roles, such as bus drivers, without compromising their retirement earnings.
We support teacher recruitment initiatives, including compensation for teacher college internships, scholarships, student loan forgiveness, bonuses for students pursuing
education degrees, and implementation of apprenticeship and dual enrollment pathway programs to rebuild the pipeline of educator talent that is significantly lacking. We also support efforts to ensure individuals relocating with out-of-state certifications can quickly and easily have reciprocity in Alabama.
Recognizing that an effective teacher is the most significant factor in a student’s classroom experience, we support that all schools receiving public funding are subject to the same quality standards for teachers. We support incentives for teachers to seek National Board Certification, increased funding for in-demand subjects and specialties, such as TEAMS (to include special education, engineering, high-need career technical education, STEM teachers, and bilingual/English Language Learner (ELL) instructors), adding additional leave days to current teacher contracts to allow much needed time for professional development, and funded efforts to attract and retain teachers in Alabama.
Accountability
Our education system is critical to the long-term success of our community and state. We support that all schools receiving public funding be subject to one consistent accountability report, such as the A–F School and School System Report Card, to provide insight that educators, parents/guardians, and the public understand and respect.
Sustainability
As our region experiences significant growth, our schools remain critical to attract, retain, and develop the talent we need today and into the future.
We support revisiting the allocation and division of the online sales tax, or simplified sellers use tax (SSUT), funds. The growth of the SSUT has exceeded expectations and has resulted in a drop in local sales tax, negatively affecting local school revenue. Our schools must have funding to meet the needs of our growing population. Therefore, we support efforts that will eliminate a cap on ad valorem tax revenues to ensure our schools are not constrained during a period of unprecedented growth.
We support increased capital investment in our schools that enables them to meet the needs of our community and invests in infrastructure that will have long term benefits. These current investments have the opportunity to provide modern facilities with increased efficiency that will allow future investment to be focused on students rather than ongoing maintenance and facilities expenses. Such efforts also require more efficient and faster response times to receive approval for construction and/or needed building renovations combined with funding for school construction projects aligned to rising costs.
To enable schools to plan and execute their mission effectively, we strongly support local control for school calendars, including start and end dates and breaks that meet the required number of school days. We also support state funds being distributed in advance of the school year.
Workforce Development
Career Awareness / Workforce Development Enhancement
A skilled, available workforce is critical to the ongoing success of the north Alabama region. The Chamber will seek additional support for proven strategies to attract students into high-growth, high-demand careers, upskill and engage displaced workers, and increase the labor participation rate across the region.
Workforce Recruitment
Recruiting talent from across the country continues to be a high priority for the Chamber to meet the current and future workforce needs of regional employers. The Chamber’s ASmartPlace® campaign has consistently been enhanced with local funds and will continue to be a focus area of investment to meet regional demands. The Chamber will seek State support to complement the local and regional recruitment activities.
Childcare
Affordable, quality childcare remains a challenge across the state, with demand exceeding supply by nearly 50 percent in north Alabama. We applaud the state’s employer and
childcare provider tax credit investments that will help to address this critical workforce issue. We encourage ongoing investments to support childcare quality; expand access and affordability for families; and strengthen the early childhood workforce.
Invest in Higher Education: Supporting the Region’s Advanced Workforce
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)
Huntsville and Madison County’s workforce is a critical national asset, and the success of our knowledge-based economy is highly dependent on advanced workforce development. Support of the University of Alabama in Huntsville is crucial to the region’s growth. To better meet the advanced workforce needs of Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park, and their surrounding region, we respectfully request increased state appropriations and investment in Capital Improvement projects for The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
UAH CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
UAH requests the State of Alabama’s continued support to develop and build UAH campus infrastructure. UAH has a unique opportunity to greatly enhance its presence in the academic and research realm while simultaneously increasing the number of graduates it produces who stay and work in the Huntsville area. The development of the 58-acre tract of land adjacent to campus is known as “Executive Plaza”. UAH plans to build this property to expand our academic and research operations, allow for the creation of more campus life to facilitate enrollment growth, and create collaboration between the campus and the community.
UAH CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE
ANESTHESIA PROGRAM
The University of Alabama in Huntsville, College of Nursing (UAH CON) is partnering with HH Health System to establish the region’s first certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) program.
The goal of the program is to address the dire need for CRNAs in north Alabama – a shortage exacerbated by rising demand, insufficient numbers of anesthesia providers, lack of local graduate programs and low numbers graduating from existing programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 40 percent growth in demand for CRNAs by 2032. Currently HH Health has approximately 40 CRNA vacancies across the 10-county service region. Conversely, the escalating healthcare demands within our communities have led to high growth in surgical volume, equating to staffing shortages and increased operating costs. CRNAs provide essential access to anesthesia care, especially in rural and other medically underserved areas of Alabama.
UAH ADVANCED WORKFORCE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT REDSTONE ARSENAL, CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK
Strategic investments and direct support of programs would help students fill critical jobs in Huntsville upon graduating. We should focus revenues to expand and enhance our capabilities through the use of effective university tools and to create or grow critical mass in specific areas of importance to the future mission needs of Redstone Arsenal in cybersecurity, engineering, artificial Intelligence, logistics, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and space exploration. In addition to offering innovative research to federal agencies to overcome technological challenges, such an investment would provide additional benefits to the future Redstone workforce as a result of UAH students gaining experience, and clearances with federal agencies at Redstone Arsenal. This is crucial for Huntsville’s advanced workforce pipeline and retention for Redstone’s aging workforce, particularly engineers.
Alabama A&M University
GENERAL SCIENCE BUILDING (NEW CONSTRUCTION)
Alabama A&M University (AAMU) seeks support from the State of Alabama for a new
General Science and Teaching Facility which will provide state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms for faculty and students allowing for advanced science education and is a top priority for the university. This cutting-edge and innovative facility will serve as the hub for all general science majors including biology, physics and chemistry. The facility’s technological advancements will allow for collaborative learning with our local, regional and national partners. As an active-learning environment, the facility will be an addition to AAMU’s growing science program by creating more research opportunities, attracting new majors and producing well-equipped students for the competitive science workforce.
IT SERVICES AND BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
Alabama A&M University requests support for its Office of Information Technology (OIT). Delivering secure technology services, applications, and hi-speed broadband internet, for students, faculty, and staff, AAMU asks for continued support from the State of Alabama to update and improve broadband and cybersecurity capabilities across main campus, the Winfred Thomas Research Station and the Alabama A&M Agribition Center. Updating the network infrastructure (residential and academic buildings), enhancing WiFi (indoor and outdoor), increasing HyFlex learning spaces, and protecting data and the network are all top priorities of AAMU’s IT department. AAMU is committed to strengthening its information security program through access controls, authentication, and encryption as required by the recent mandate of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Safeguards Rule. Enhanced online learning resources and updated broadband internet are critical elements of a successful college experience and are key to building strong research partnerships with entities such as The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Cummings Research Park companies, and National Research Labs across the country. AAMU is primed to expand its global reach through partnerships with international universities and research MOU’s.
ROAD, WATER, AND UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE
Deferred maintenance is a particularly problematic issue for HBCUs. In 2025, AAMU will be 150 years old as an institution with several historic buildings continuing to be used on a full-time basis. Deferred maintenance is, in essence, the postponement of necessary maintenance and repairs of institutional infrastructure in the institution’s normal budget cycle due to a lack of requisite funding. Whether academic buildings, residence halls or laboratories for research and development (“R&D”) work, the AAMU Deferred Maintenance Project will replace aging materials to meet current and future infrastructure capacity demand. These improvements will add to the University’s student experience and confirm the needed resources for a conducive learning environment.
Alabama Community College System
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS), through our local community colleges (Calhoun Community College and Drake State Community and Technical College), supports our community and business and industry partners through the development and implementation of education and workforce development programs that prepare students for high-wage, high-demand jobs in Huntsville, Madison County, and all of north Alabama. The ACCS has requested increased funding from the Education Trust Fund for Fiscal Year 2025 for various programs and services, and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber supports legislative consideration of increased appropriations for the following purposes:
■ Operations and Maintenance (O&M) – Significant improvements to the salary schedules for teachers and other employees of K-12 school districts adopted by the Alabama Legislature in recent years has, according to the ACCS, created a competitive disadvantage in salaries for similar positions at the two-year community and technical colleges. The ACCS has made a sizable funding request to provide across-the-board compensation increases to faculty and staff at the community
and technical colleges. Providing competitive salaries is important to maintaining quality education and workforce development programs in our region.
■ Dual Enrollment – Dual enrollment continues to grow significantly between Calhoun, Drake State, and area high schools. Dual enrollment opportunities are very popular with high school students, as they can earn both high school and college credit while in high school. The State of Alabama has provided funding for Dual Enrollment Scholarships so that high school students can take courses from Alabama community colleges free of charge. Due to the continued popularity of this program and its proven success, the ACCS has requested increased funds for Dual Enrollment Scholarships to ensure that all students who desire to participate in Dual Enrolment courses can continue to do so tuition-free.
■ ACCS Innovation Center – The ACCS Innovation Center, based in north Alabama, has become a driving force in workforce development, providing no-cost, fast-track, hybrid training that equips Alabama residents with the skills and certifications needed for high-demand, high-wage careers. With over 37 course options and more than 30,000 students enrolled, the Innovation Center’s Skills for Success program is meeting workforce needs across industries such as Transportation, HEO Construction, Construction Trades, Hospitality and Tourism, and Healthcare. Strong partnerships with businesses, municipalities, and government entities are accelerating enrollment in Skills for Success courses statewide. Additional participation in Skills for Success courses has surged as high school students leverage the courses to earn College and Career Ready Indicator (CCRI) credits required for high school graduation. To expand training opportunities, offer additional scholarships, and enhance resources to meet the growing demand, the ACCS seeks increased state funding to sustain and amplify this transformative program.
■ Facilities and Capital Improvements – Thanks to one-time supplemental funding provided by the Legislature in the last few years, substantial facility and capital improvement efforts have been made at both Calhoun and Drake State, including the construction of a new Workforce Training Center at Drake State and expansion of Calhoun’s existing Advanced Manufacturing Center. While these new and expanded facilities will be a game-changer for north Alabama, there are additional capital needs at both colleges to meet the workforce demand of business and industry in the area. We support continued investment of one-time dollars by the state legislature to support facility needs at Calhoun and Drake State.
■ Calhoun Aviation Program - Aviation Maintenance Program - Calhoun Community College has partnered with Pryor Field at the Tanner Campus to begin instruction in both Aviation Airframe and Aviation Powerplant Technologies in Fall 2025 Semester. Industry demand for skilled aviation mechanics in the region is already high and is rising. The cost of startup for the program is significant, particularly due to the equipment and FAA requirements. Demand for the program is expected to quickly outpace the current available facilities and require additional hangar and classroom space. The 3–5-year goal is to build additional space to create an Aviation Center of Excellence to house a full Aviation program. Calhoun Community College requests $38M for equipment and facilities to provide a trained workforce for this region-critical industry.
■ Drake State Automotive Program – Diesel Technology and Electric Vehicle – Drake State Community and Technical College is seeking to expand its current automotive program by adding diesel technology and electric vehicle options. Industry demand for skilled mechanics in the region is already high and is rising with a higher-than-average number of EV and Diesel Technology jobs. During the past six (6) months, an average of 191 hires were made monthly. The region has a projected job growth rate of 2.1 percent compared to 1.5 percent nationally in the next year. There is a growth potential of 64 percent in completions needed to meet the labor demand in the region. To expand our program and meet this need, we must
modernize facilities with a roof clearance capable of admitting diesel medium-heavy vehicles and space for additional equipment to support electrical vehicle training. This would necessitate the construction of a new facility and additional equipment. Drake State requests $10M to provide the north Alabama region with a much-needed skilled automotive workforce.
Health Insurance Coverage Expansion
Healthcare coverage expansion in Alabama provides an opportunity to meet the basic health care needs of more than 300,000 individuals, most of whom are currently working but cannot afford insurance. Federal funding covers the cost of expansion for at least five years, boosts the State economy, and creates jobs.
Current coverage provides health insurance for low-income children, pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled. Alabama has one of the most restrictive eligibility thresholds in the country, with zero non-disabled, childless adults enrolled in Alabama Medicaid. Adults in a family of three earning more than $312 per month currently cannot qualify. The health insurance provided covers a bare minimum of services. The cost per enrollee is the third lowest in the country and administrative costs are less than 3 percent.
The newly covered population can receive care in a lower cost environment (a doctor’s office as opposed to an emergency department) and the burden of shifting uncompensated care to the commercially insured population declines. Many patients with mental health and substance abuse issues would be able to receive care before landing in an emergency department. States that have already expanded have generated a significant body of research demonstrating the positive impact on health outcomes (lower infant mortality, better cancer diagnosis).
Rural hospitals in Alabama are experiencing a funding crisis. Unable to absorb the burden of uncompensated care in their communities and recovering from the unprecedented impact of the COVID pandemic, 13 hospitals have closed since 2010. These closures eliminate jobs and force patients to travel to urban areas for care. Hospital emergency departments function as the nation’s healthcare safety net – the provider of last resort for patients who cannot pay for their healthcare – and these closures consolidate uncompensated care. In order to remain viable, hospitals pass along the burden of this uncompensated care to commercially insured patients, raising healthcare costs for employers and individuals who purchase their own coverage.
Infrastructure Roads
All infrastructure road projects on this list are considered high-priority roads and are projects that involve a route with a federal designation. All listed projects are listed on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
■ Widening Highway 72 West towards and through Madison – US Highway 72 West Widening – This 5.5 miles of widening through multiple jurisdictions will provide six lanes to improve overall traffic flow, critical capacity, and safety improvements along this urban principal east-west arterial with average daily traffic volumes ranging near 50,000 vehicles per day. This project is currently in design and, due to the project size and duration, we understand there is consideration for two project phases to move it forward more quickly. Phase 1 is anticipated to be between Providence Main and Jeff Road. Highway 72 has become a major throughput and safety concern for the greater Huntsville community.
■ Widening the last four lane section of I-565 between I-65 and downtown Huntsville – Interstate 565 Widening (CLR to Wall-Triana) – This has been a top priority for the community as new jobs and investment continue to come to the region. We are grateful for the recent completion of six lanes on I-565 between I-65 and County Line Road. We understand that the next segment between County Line Road and Wall Triana Highway is currently under design. We are seeking a continued commitment to move this project toward construction to complete all six lanes along I-565 through our growing community.
■ Widening Highway 53 to six lanes out of NW Huntsville towards Harvest – Highway 53 Widening (Jeff Road to Old RR Bed) – As growth in northwest Madison County has continued, this critical artery is becoming increasingly dangerous. What was once a sleepy agriculture community is now filled with vibrant subdivisions and retail. This project would widen Highway 53 to six lanes from Jeff Road to Old Railroad Bed Road.
■ Construction of a Redstone Arsenal focused interchange on I-565 near Resolute Way – Resolute Way Interchange at I-565 – With this project, drivers on Madison Boulevard would be connected to Redstone Arsenal at Gate 9. This new interchange would improve safety and efficiency directly west of the existing I-565 and Research Park Boulevard (SR 255) interchange that leads directly into Gate 9. This is a heavily traveled roadway with 75,000 vehicles per day connecting Redstone Arsenal to the Northern Bypass. A new interchange is needed to reduce congestion and improve safety at this location. An environmental assessment is currently being performed by Redstone Arsenal and we are seeking funds to move this project forward into design and construction to benefit the region.
■ Extending I-565 eastward toward Gurley and Scottsboro US Highway 72 East (Corridor V) – This project will provide an extension of I-565 to include service roads and new interchanges at Moores Mill Road and Shields Road, which will add approximately 2.3 miles along I-565 through a congested area, which continues to grow. In 2015, one additional lane westbound from Shields Road and one additional turn lane at Moores Mill Road were added as a temporary fix for the congestion, however very little benefit was had since the area continues to outgrow the previous temporary improvements.
An earlier version of this project was originally funded with Federal Appalachian Regional Commission funds. During that period, an environmental document was completed. Currently, the design is nearly finished. Acquisition was previously started in 2013, but was forced to stop because of a change in funding priorities by the Federal government. To date, new residential and commercial developments, as well as new job centers, continue to be established within the eastern side of our region. The extension of I-565 through this urban corridor would significantly improve traffic flow along US Highway 72 from adjacent regions.
■ Overhauling the interchange between I-565 and Memorial Parkway in the heart of Huntsville – I-565 / US Highway 231 Interchange Modifications – This is the only interchange in our region in which an Interstate and US Highway intersects
directly within our urban core. The current interchange serves approximately 190,000 vehicles per day through the center of the region. A corridor study has been completed, showing all turning movements are at functional failure due to continued growth, and also showing the interchange is not capable to safely and efficiently handle current traffic volumes. We are seeking funding to move this project forward to design and construction.
■ Creation of a connecting road between I-565 and Redstone Arsenal Gate 10 – Redstone Arsenal East Connector – This roadway will provide direct access from I-565 to Redstone Arsenal Gate 10 at Patton Road, which consists of 2.5 miles of new four-lane divided limited access highway. This project is needed to divert Interstate traffic directly to the eastern side of Redstone Arsenal to its City Center for direct access to new jobs and buildings that are associated with existing and proposed employment centers and infrastructure on base. Additional funding is needed to improve gate access inside Redstone Arsenal. The corridor study is currently underway, and we are seeking funding to move the project toward design and construction.
Support for the Huntsville International AirportFully Fund the “Alabama Airport Economic and Infrastructure Program” at $25M
The Chamber supports fully funding the “Alabama Airport Economic and Infrastructure Program” at $25M which would allow Alabama airports the funding needed to meet infrastructure demands. The proposed legislation would provide Alabama airports $25M each fiscal year. Fifteen million of this would be allocated for commercial service airports based on each airport’s pro rata share of entitlement funds received by the airport under the federal Airport Improvement Program for the preceding fiscal year and $10M would be disbursed to general aviation airports as determined by ALDOT.
Airports are one of the most fundamental components of business and community infrastructure because they facilitate continuous economic growth for contiguous economic regions. Airports also provide monumental economic benefits and economic impacts for their respective regions within the state of Alabama. Recent economic impact assessments show a total impact of $4.9B statewide annual economic activity. In addition, one study details that Alabama Airports contribute a combined $267.6M annually to state and local tax revenues. Of that amount, approximately $55M is going directly into the General Fund for the state of Alabama. Investments in airports have a tremendous return on investment. The recent study indicated that a $1 investment in airport core business, from any funding source, can generate $5 in additional income for the community.
Over the past 10 years all Alabama airports combined have received between $45M and $70M annually from the federal government, but over half of that has been discretionary funding. With discretionary funding less likely moving forward, ALDOT Aeronautics Bureau states that there is $59.3M in airport pavement funding needed annually just to maintain the current pavement at Alabama airports.
Requested Action: The Chamber supports state funding for the growth of Huntsville International Airport and for the continued funding of the “Alabama Airport Economic and Infrastructure Program,” at a minimum of $25M which would allow Alabama airports the funding needed to meet infrastructure demands.
Broadband
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber supports broadband policies that promote: (1) increased access to affordable broadband for all Alabamians; (2) the efficient deployment of advanced technologies, including Quantum Networking, small cells and 5G; (3) continued investment and innovation to enhance deployment across north Alabama; (4) gives preference for Alabama manufactured components, such as those manufactured by Adtran; and (5) competition and choice for Alabama’s businesses and residents.
Cyber
The Huntsville and Madison County region is currently facing a shortfall in the availability of skilled professionals in the cybersecurity and technology sectors, particularly at the mid and senior levels. These sectors have continued to experience steady growth, and we anticipate this trend will persist in the future. There are multiple collaborative efforts with various organizations, including academic institutions, non-profits, and industry partners to develop a new generation of technology workers, upskill our current workforce, and attract new talent to our area, thereby reinforcing Huntsville and Madison County’s position as a hub of technological innovation and expertise. The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) has placed their first full-scale set of interns, who are performing technical work with various agencies and industry partners in the Tennessee Valley.
Huntsville is planning on developing a Regional Cyber Lab with a mission to provide the greater Tennessee Valley region with coordinated cybersecurity awareness through collaborative access to tools, intelligence, and a trained and capable workforce. This lab is envisioned to be a nexus of a state-of-the-art physical space with a virtual cyber playground where cybersecurity experts, academics, local CEOs and public officials work together to enhance cybersecurity resilience through timely sharing of information and analysis, while also offering specialized training with safe environments to simulate and defend against cyberattacks. Included in this collaborative physical space would be the following three (3) key areas:
■ Free Cyber Range – Free cyber range that provides the broader community with a collaborative, cloud-based platform for training, development and testing of cybersecurity tools in a safe and controlled environment.
■ Cyber Gaming Range – This is the cybersecurity equivalent of a flight simulator: cyber practitioners of all levels can develop real-world skills in a game-like virtual environment.
■ Cyber Incident Simulator – This is a cloud-based cyber incident simulator specifically designed for small and medium-sized (SMB) organizations to help them proactively manage their cyber risk. This is of special importance to the many SMBs in the Defense Industrial Base community in Huntsville and Montgomery.
The Chamber requests continued support of UAH’s Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE) to ensure that the cyber workforce has the necessary skills for a successful career in cyber through a variety of academic, research, and outreach programs. UAH’s cybersecurity-related programs, including cybersecurity engineering, computer science, computer engineering, and information systems, are experiencing significant growth. UAH also prepares K-12 teachers and industry professionals for the complex challenges of modern cybersecurity. The synergy between Cummings Research Park, Redstone Arsenal, Community Colleges, ASCTE, and UAH is the driving economic force in this region, especially in cyber. UAH cybersecurity students often work while they are in school and then transition into the regional workforce after graduation with a security clearance.
Biosciences
Alabama’s bioscience sector is driving innovation, creating quality jobs, and making a significant economic impact, contributing over $7B annually to the state’s economy. The Human Genome Project, with vital contributions from Alabamians, established the U.S. as a global bioscience leader. This groundbreaking achievement advanced cancer treatment, pediatric and infectious disease diagnosis, drug development, and agricultural practices to address global food and energy needs. Today, Alabama continues to lead in addressing major challenges in human health and agriculture.
The Chamber appreciates Alabama’s commitment to biosciences, prioritizing research,
education, medicine, and economic development. Huntsville/Madison County plays a key role in the sector’s growth, with public and private entities, including HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, employing thousands in high-quality jobs that drive progress in food security, crop improvement, and disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The Chamber advocates for expanding investments in both basic and applied research at Alabama’s post-secondary and research institutions, along with policies and incentives to grow the bioscience workforce and support entrepreneurship programs. Renewing economic development incentives tailored to the biosciences and strengthening recruitment efforts are vital. Legislative measures such as the Alabama Innovation Act and the Working for Alabama plan are essential for fostering collaboration, research, and workforce development. Additionally, the Chamber supports Innovate Alabama’s efforts to build the state’s innovation economy by connecting entrepreneurs and innovators across Alabama.
With continued state support, Alabama’s bioscience industry is poised for sustained growth, driving new jobs, increased capital investment, and advancements in healthcare and agriculture that will benefit Alabama and the broader global community.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Connector Building
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is seeking a $25M cornerstone investment from the State of Alabama to lay the financial foundation for a new connector building, which is projected to cost a total of $50-55M. The connector building will serve as the new front door for all museum programs, provide much needed exhibit space, include a state-ofthe-art data visualization center housing the INTUITIVE ® Planetarium, and host the first of its kind Alabama Workforce Welcome Center. The Alabama Workforce Welcome Center will provide for Rocket Center guests from across the state and around the world the opportunity to envision their place in Alabama’s STEM workforce.
Support Appointed Superintendent and Boards of Education
Only 78 out of 15,000 Superintendents of Education in the United States are elected to their position. All 14,900+ other school systems select their Superintendents by appointment by their School Boards. Nearly half – 37 of these 78 elected superintendents – are in Alabama. Only 22 local Boards of Education are elected in Alabama. Examples of elected superintendents and elected school board members working at cross-purposes is not hard to find. Electing both School Boards and Superintendents presents a dysfunctional governance model to the detriment of the school system. The board must set the policy and have the authority to effectively manage the superintendent to carry out those policy decisions. The Chamber supports legislation that will require all K-12 superintendents to be appointed by the locally elected or appointed school board. Additionally, the Chamber supports local decision making about appointing or electing their boards of education. This allows for a broader selection process that is not restricted to a local constituency, and positions the appointed superintendent, to work for, and be responsible to the board.
Stop Predatory Lending
The Chamber supports meaningful reform of Alabama laws regulating predatory lending practices that include, but are not limited to, payday and title loans. Predatory lenders in Alabama are legally allowed to charge extremely high interest rates and fees on shortterm, small dollar loans, creating a cycle of debt that hurts Alabama families and drives more citizens into a downward spiral of poverty. We advocate for fair and equitable access to credit for Alabamians and we strongly support legislation to curb predatory practices that cause economic hardship for working families and drain resources from communities.
For more about the Chamber, visit us at hsvchamber.org.
