Annual Report 2019
Presenting Sponsor
JEFF WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
vision mission
The Chamber is the catalyst for business growth, community engagement, and action to drive economic vitality and advance our position as a global leader in technology and innovation. Prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth
A Note from the President Look around our region and you will see what happens when vision becomes a reality. When leaders from the public and private sectors focused their insight and energy on creating a dynamic, resilient, and diversified economy many years ago, that focus evolved from a goal to a plan. The tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations turned that plan into our current reality. We are now recognized by many different sources as having one of the most dynamic regional economies in the country. We all agree that growth for growth’s sake is not our objective. We want it to be sustainable. The objective is to create an economy that builds on our heritage of employing smart people who solve complex problems – while leveraging these core competencies to grow opportunities for citizens in the region to take the next step up the socioeconomic ladder. The growth in advanced manufacturing jobs in the region is providing opportunities for a significant number of underemployed people, and these opportunities were lacking in the past. Strategic growth in a number of key sectors has resulted in a more stable and dynamic economy – one that is poised for success in the near and long term. Our growth has created an opportunity – an opportunity to enhance our workforce development and recruitment activities. Success in this area will help citizens in the region access better jobs and recruit new people to fill jobs where there are not enough qualified local candidates. This benefits the region by lowering underemployment, and we will gain new residents with skill sets that are in high demand. The good news is we are up to the task. In fact, we have been here before. Prior to the arrival of Dr. Wernher von Braun and the Rocket Team, who would have believed that the Watercress Capital of the World would be where the United States solved the challenges of sending humans to the surface of the Moon and returning them safely to Earth? Who would have guessed that Redstone Arsenal would become home to 78 unique functions – when prior to the Rocket Team’s arrival, Huntsville Arsenal and Redstone Arsenal were both declared surplus property and were to be sold? We have taken advantage of these types of opportunities before and will do so again! It is an honor to be part of a community where we seize opportunities and address challenges as a TEAM. The TEAM takes many forms depending on the task. We are one of the many public and private sector partners who engage in moving the community and the region forward. We accomplish our objectives together, not caring who receives the credit, and stay focused on what is in the long-term best interest of our community and region. Thank you for making what we do possible and allowing me to serve as your President & CEO.
Chip Cherry, cce President & CEO
Meghan Chambliss Executive Assistant
Mary McNairy Vice President
Lori Warner
Accounting Specialist - Payables
Kim Weeks
Accounting Specialist - Receivables
Joe Watson
Facilities Manager
Savannah Pedersen Resource Desk Coordinator
The Year
4
in Pictures
PHOTOGRAPHERS INCLUDE RONALD POLLARD, JEFF WHITE, HIROKO SEDENSKY, & CLAIRE AIELLO ROCKET LAUNCH PHOTO: NASA / EMMETT GIVEN
Economic Development & Industry Relations The Chamber is the lead economic development organization for Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County – one of the most dynamic economies in the United States. Through local, state and regional partnerships, we market the community for new jobs and capital investment and support expansion of existing industry, focusing on aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and life sciences.
3,015 NEW JOBS
Huntsville
47%
Economic Growth Index Combined Employment, GDP and Wages
6
United States
28%
Alabama
19%
180+
existing industry visits conducted
Participated at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Paris Air Show, International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC, and the Space Tech Expo in Bremen, Germany
Facilitated a labor analysis by Deloitte that captured hiring projections of 14,000 over the next three years
Lucia Cape, cce
Senior Vice President
Lydia Pennington
Industry Relations Director
Ranked in Top 10 for job growth, high tech jobs, income potential, and affordability in national media
John Roberts
Economic Development Project Director
Ken Smith
Research & Information Services Director 7
Park companies with ribbon cutting ceremonies
Cummings Research Park Cummings Research Park (CRP) is the Nation’s second largest research park with 3,843 acres and nearly 300 companies. We manage, internally market, and promote CRP to expand industry and recruit new companies to a vibrant and connected community that fosters ingenuity, creativity, and scientific achievements that solve our Nation’s most complex challenges.
Erin Koshut
Executive Director
8
Julia Kaye
Marketing & Events Coordinator
First-ever CRP-Columbia High School Intern for a Day program with high school seniors and 10 companies First-ever CRP-Columbia High School Park Hop for high school juniors to tour companies/learn about the Park’s ecosystem
More than
Statewide magnet Alabama School for Cyber Technology and Engineering announced to be located in the Park
3,000
came out to our events
Blue Origin groundbreaking ceremony – January 25
9
Government & Public Affairs The Chamber represents the business interests of the Huntsville/Madison County area on all levels of government, promoting policies and legislation that allow for the continued economic prosperity of the region. Roughly half
Apollo 11 Celebration
of the local economy is a function of federal
The Chamber supported the community’s Apollo 11
spending on military, space, and homeland
50 th Anniversary Celebration planning committee and
security concerns. As a result, much of the Chamber’s government and public affairs
events, including the Aerospace States Association’s National Space Policy Summit and dinner, at which Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin was recognized.
are focused on the growth and protection of these activities and Redstone Arsenal.
NASA’s Human Space Exploration DC lobbying efforts
Meeting with Congressional Delegation
Chamber leads effort to support Education Standards
The Chamber discussed
Chamber leadership met with the members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation on March 13 to review issues identified in the Chamber’s Federal Agenda.
Government Affairs supports National Space Symposium Effort
NASA’s Human Space Exploration initiatives February 11–12 and again during the Washington DC flyin May 20–22. The Chamber also helped coordinate the UAH graduate students’ participation in the fly-in.
Chamber leads BCA Federal Agenda Panel Discussion
Chamber secures $30,000 to include Redstone Arsenal in Regional Labor Study
The Chamber hosted a welcome reception for Dr. Darren Dawson, the new president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and his wife on September 3. 10
Montgomery Trip Feb. 22–24
(April 16-17)
Approximately 85 people attended this year’s trip. Governor Ivey announced at the Wednesday luncheon that work on widening I565 and around the Mazda Toyota plant would begin immediately.
Washington DC Trip
(May 5-7)
The Chamber led a delegation of approximately 190 people. Speakers included the director of the new Space Development Agency and the NASA Administrator, as well as Senators Shelby, Jones, McConnell, Leahy, Reed and Inhofe.
Additional Events
Approximately 80 legislators, plus a number of staffers, registered to attend the
State of the County Address featuring Chairman Strong
Bicentennial Legislative Kickoff Celebration.
Washington Update featuring Senator Shelby
Events included a Bicentennial Blastoff Reception
Washington Update featuring Congressman Brooks
at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center; the unveiling of
Alabama Update featuring Governor Ivey
Alabama’s Bicentennial Stamp; special Legislative briefings;
Washington Update featuring Senator Jones
a windshield tour of Redstone Arsenal and Cummings
Annual Outing
Research Park (CRP); and a State Bicentennial Leadership Dinner.
State of the City Address featuring Mayor Battle Redstone Update
Many thanks to the generous sponsors who made the weekend possible.
Armed Forces Celebration The theme for this year’s celebration was the 75th anniversary of the Allied Forces D-Day invasion of Europe. More than 200 riders participated in the inaugural bike ride on Redstone.
Community strives to locate Space Command HQ at Redstone The Chamber is supporting these efforts to place the headquarters of the Space Command at Redstone Arsenal.
Artemis Day celebrated at Michoud Assembly Facility Lucia Cape and Mike Ward attended activities on December 9 in New Orleans where the Core Stage of the SLS Rocket has been assembled. Speakers included MSFC Director Jody Singer and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine.
Mike Ward, cce
Senior Vice President
Amberly Kimbrough Events Coordinator
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Workforce & Education
We are passionate about developing, employing, and retaining the smart, talented people we have in our region. Through partnerships with industry, education, and public sector stakeholders, we ensure our region has the quantity and quality of talent to meet employer needs and support sustained growth.
Industry Insights
Held another sold-out State of the Schools event with The Schools Foundation that brought together business and industry with our three local school superintendents, school boards and, for the first time, students
Advanced Manufacturing Day hosted 40 educators with bus tours of Polaris and PPG Aerospace. Healthcare Day hosted 53 educators at Huntsville Hospital. Industry on Speed Dial hosted more than 80 educators, industry leaders, and HR reps for roundtable discussions featuring these industries: Regions Bank, The Boeing Company, ADTRAN, PPG Aerospace, BBVA Bank, Davidson Technologies, The Schools Foundation, HudsonAlpha, Turner Construction Co., PHOENIX, Huntsville Hospital, Booz Allen Hamilton, Mazda Toyota, PROJECTXYZ, and AT&T Sales.
Took 30 companies to Auburn University for asmartplace on the Road to recruit college students
Developed a 13-unit program:
CyberSmart
asmartplace.com info sessions kicked off the new school year and the Career Prep Curriculum.
Katelyn Sides Baker
Workforce Recruitment Director
Georgina Chapman Workforce Development Director | Chamber Foundation
Kent Ballard, Jr. Workforce Education Specialist | Chamber Foundation 12
promoting cyber security knowledge and promoting local cyber careers
Hosted two Second Chance Job Fairs:
1,000+ job seekers 116 employers & 32 community agencies
Held cookouts for 200+ interns and co-ops to help retain them in the Huntsville labor market
Sponsored student teams from Bob Jones, New Century Technology, and Sparkman high schools to develop payloads that launched on a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket
Dream Up
Created asmartplace Career Prep curriculum and connected directly with all three local school systems to utilize the materials
Hosted first-ever Senior Sprint Career Fair that reached 200 students,
45 companies, and 11 supporting agencies – 90% of students got an interview, 35% left with a job, 10% committed to the military 13
2250
2000
Total Membership
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Member Companies by Size 101+
employees
51-100
employees
Investor Relations
21-50
1-5
employees
employees
6-20
employees
For nearly 125 years, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber has been serving area businesses by creating a wealth of opportunities to gain expertise and knowledge, build meaningful relationships, engage with elected officials, and positively influence the economy. Today, we represent nearly 2,200 member companies in the Tennessee Valley and beyond, and we’re driven by the needs of our members – from local entrepreneurs and small businesses to middle-market companies and global corporations – to provide leadership on issues important to the business community and to create a dynamic business climate for all businesses to succeed. 14
2019 2018 2017 2016
134% of goal : $1,336,074
129% of goal : $1,199,280 107% of goal : $990,950 104% of goal : $940,775
2015
$874,350
Annual Sponsorship Campaign (to sell cash-only sponsorship opportunities)
Supported by
11
25 emissaries
volunteers
68 ambassadors
500
New Member Sales
400 300 200 100 0
2012 2013
2014 2015
2016 2017 2018 2019
Amber Greenwood Vice President
Kristy Drake
Richard Bigoney
Donna McCrary
Tina Blankenship
Director, HREGI & ChamberON
Membership Retention Manager
Membership Account Executive
Membership Account Executive 15
Small Business & Events In 2019, we observed remarkable growth, creativity, and progress. We added new networking and professional development opportunities, a clay-shooting tournament, AIDT leadership training, and Glenn Shepard’s ‘How to Supervise People & Lead a Team’ – providing business leaders and community members a chance to network, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful conversation. The Women’s Business Council continues to grow and provides opportunities for women in business with multiple events. We continued to partner with small businesses, consultants,
UAH SBDC continues to provide a full suite
Alabama A&M University, and the Huntsville-
of business services in the areas of market
Madison County Public Library to offer more
research, capital access, financial analysis,
professional development opportunities.
feasibility analysis, and much more!
6 Signature Events = 3,442 attendees Annual Membership Meeting, Best Places to Work®, Small Business Awards Celebration, Clay Shoot, Golf Classic, and Holiday Open House
16
23 Networking Events = 1,478 attendees Breakfast & Biz, Business & Brews, Chamber Night Out, C-Suite Series, Women’s Business Council, and Leadercast Women
47 Professional Development = 1,438 attendees
HR / Employee Engagement Seminars, Lunch & Learns, Google Docs Microsoft Office Workshops, Social Media Marketing, and Budgeting for Growth
Pammie Jimmar, iom
Vice President
New Business Starts: 29
Devon Elston
Create, Retain & Save Jobs in Alabama: 425
Coordinator
One-on-One Advising Hours: 1,614 Acquired in Government Contracts: $23.8M Accessed in Investment Capital: $24.5M UAH SBDC Seminars & Workshops: 24 | Total Attendees: 549 17
Marketing & Communications Put simply, we want to share Huntsville’s story with the world. The Chamber fosters new growth and supports businesses who have been in our community for decades, and you are part of our success. Please keep us posted throughout the year on what you’re doing. We share information through several channels, including traditional media, print, digital, and social media.
Claire Aiello
Vice President
Hiroko Sedensky
Web Designer
Kristi Sherrard
Graphic Designer
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Publications
10,000 16,941
Approximate number of monthly readers of INITIATIVES magazine
Total reads of Chamber digital publications: More than 63,700 impressions Average read time = 5:33
Teeming with engineers, Alabama’s Rocket City USA is luring hot new industries to town November 2019
Huntsville earns “Straight A” Financial Report Card for the 11th Consecutive Year May 2019
Digital & Social Media 10,499 FANS
Huntsville: #1 Best Affordable Place to Live April 2019
9,128 FOLLOWERS 7,546 FOLLOWERS 1,909 and GROWING! Eblasts: Sent 257 eblasts to Chamber members, reaching more than 107,739 people per month Average Open Rate: 22.3% (Nonprofit Industry Average is 21.5%)
Huntsville among Best Cities for Manufacturing Jobs April 2019
Huntsville: One of 52 Places to Go in 2019 January 2019
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HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kevin Byrnes
Gary Bolton
Ron Poteat
Lynn Troy
VP, Global Marketing, ADTRAN, Inc.
North Alabama Area Executive, Regions Bank
CEO, Troy 7
CEO, PROJECTXYZ, Inc.
VP, Strategic Consulting Services, Navigator International LLC
BOARD CHAIR
CHAIR-ELECT
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
FOUNDATION CHAIR
Kim Lewis
20
SECRETARY/ TREASURER
Jeff Gronberg
Alicia Ryan
Jim Rogers
Greg Brown
Frank Williams
President, deciBel Research, Inc.
CEO, LSINC Corporation
CFO/Co-CEO, Brown Precision, Inc.
VICE CHAIR Economic Development & Industry Relations
VICE CHAIR Government & Public Affairs
Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Owner Operator, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Laura Huckabee-Jennings
Joe Ritch
Penny Billings
Craig Naudain
Dr. Karockas Watkins
CEO, Transcend LLC
Attorney, Sirote & Permutt, PC
Market President, BancorpSouth - Huntsville
VP, Operations Management, SAIC
CEO/President/Executive Director, Ability Plus, Inc.
VICE CHAIR Small Business & Events
VICE CHAIR Tennessee Valley BRAC
CHAIR-APPOINTED
CHAIR-APPOINTED
CHAIR-APPOINTED
Tommy Battle
Paul Finley
Dale Strong
Chris Pape
Chip Cherry, CCE
Mayor, City of Huntsville
Mayor, City of Madison
Chairman, Madison County Commission
Attorney, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBER
EX-OFFICIO MEMBER
EX-OFFICIO MEMBER
GENERAL COUNSEL
President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
VICE CHAIR HREGI
VICE CHAIR Marketing & Communications
VICE CHAIR Investor Relations
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Alvarez
Bill Bailey
James Barclay
Blake Bentley
David Bier
Melissa Davis
John Eagan
Venturi, LLC
Radiance Technologies, Inc.
FLIR
SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery and Spine Center
Rocket City Trash Pandas
MTA
BB&T
Kevin Fernandez
Dr. Joe Green
Joni Green
Mike Gullion
John Hall
Ginger Harper
Josh Herren
Fernandez Financial Group, LLC
Davidson Technologies Inc.
Five Stones Research Corporation
Spur
All Points Logistics, LLC
IBERIABANK
Yulista
Lauren Johannesmeyer
Lee Holland
Melody Holt
Tharon Honeycutt
Amanda Howard
Hank Isenberg
McKinley James
Turner Construction Company
Holt & Holt Entrepreneurship, LLC
MSB Analytics, Inc.
Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty
IronMountain Solutions
Polaris Industries, Inc.
Sean Kelly
David King
April Mason
Bob McCaleb
Kevin McCombs
Janice Migliore
Alana Parker
Regions Bank
Dynetics, Inc.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
PALCO
Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc.
Zack Penney
Jami Peyton
Ashley Ryals
Jeff Samz
Sameer Singhal
Beth Sippel
Robert Smith
Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi
Canvas, Inc.
Homegrown, LLC
Huntsville Hospital
CFD Research Corporation
Synovus
Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
Google Fiber, Huntsville
Sandra Stephens
Cynthia Streams
Ken Tucker
Mike Watkins
John Watson
Dennis Weese
Danny Windham
Keel Point, LLC
Domino’s (Valley Pizza, Inc.)
The Boeing Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Torch Technologies
Line-X, LLC
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
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AS OF DECEMBER 26, 2019
INVESTORS HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
REGIONAL PARTNERS
LEADERSHIP FORUM
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BBVA Compass ■ Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) ■ Crestwood Medical Center ■ Dynetics, Inc. General Atomics Electromagnetics ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation ■ Northrop Grumman Corporation ■ PNC Bank Raytheon Company ■ SAIC ■ SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. ■ Yulista
CHAMBER TRUSTEES AEgis Technologies Group ■ Akima, LLC ■ Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. ■ Facebook Data Center Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Intrepid ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ Jerry Damson Honda Acura ■ KBR Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. ■ PARSONS ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc. SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus ■ Torch Technologies ■ Turner Construction Company
PROGRESS PARTNERS Ability Plus ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong ■ ASRC Federal ■ B. L. Harbert International, LLC ■ Baron Services, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BB&T ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Brown Precision, Inc. ■ CenterState Bank ■ Colliers International ■ Connected Logistics (LogC2) ■ Davidson Technologies, Inc. ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association ■ IBERIABANK ■ J Smith Lanier & Co., a Marsh McLennan Agency LLC company ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ L3Harris ■ LMI ■ LogiCore ■ LSINC Corporation The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) ■ Progress Bank ■ Radiance Technologies ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ RUAG Space USA Inc. ■ SELEX Galileo Inc. ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ Sirote & Permutt, PC Spirit Coach, LLC ■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ Wells Fargo Bank ■ Woody Anderson Ford PROGRESS INVESTORS 4SITE, Inc. ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty ■ Armstrong Relocation Company Huntsville LLC ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Bailey-Harris Construction BancorpSouth ■ BID DESIGNS, LLC ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ CGI Federal ■ Coast Personnel Services Continental Consulting Group Corporation (CCGC) ■ Croy Engineering, LLC ■ DC Blox, Inc. ■ deciBel Research ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Engineering Design Technologies/EDT-THA Architecture ■ Express Employment Professionals Fernandez Financial Group ■ FITE Building Company ■ FLS Translation & Interpreting ■ Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates, LLC ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Garver ■ HEMSI ■ Hiley Automotive Group Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ INTERFUZE Corporation ■ Investor’s Resource ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ The Karen Morris Team at Keller Williams Realty Legend Realty – Jim Hoekenschneider ■ LINE-X, LLC ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ MAG Aerospace ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ PALCO ■ PFM Financial Advisors LLC ■ PHOENIX ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace Quadrus Corporation ■ Ready Mix USA ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Sigmatech, Inc. ■ Signalink ■ Snelling ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ Technicolor ■ TriVector Services, Inc. Troy 7, Inc. ■ U.S. Space & Rocket Center ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Venturi, Inc. ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC ■ West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A.
What makes Huntsville unique, and why do we continue to experience such tremendous growth? It is the people who have shaped our city into a powerful, progressive force. It is because of citizens and companies who care not just about the bottom line, but in helping our community further improve. A main source of financial support for economic development is the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). HREGI funds help establish Huntsville/Madison County as a stronger, more visible force in the national competition for economic growth. The Initiative’s overarching vision is for our community to become a primary center of technology in the South and in the nation. HREGI is designed to position the area as one of the leading economic growth centers in the Southeast and the nation. HREGI investors contribute funds in addition to their membership dues and sponsorships. They understand a rising tide lifts all boats, and the Chamber is working to raise the water level for everyone. HREGI funds help us in a multitude of ways. First, they help the Chamber market Huntsville for continued progress. They also help us work with our educational partners so current students will one day be prepared to help with the jobs you need them to fill. And, they help us support the businesses already here with partnership and training programs to help companies grow.
Annual Investment Levels Development Partner Development Council Chairman’s Council President’s Circle Leadership Forum Executive Council Chamber Trustee Progress Partner Progress Investor
We need your support to maintain the momentum we have created. Strong private sector leadership will ensure our business community plays a proactive role in addressing the issues that will shape our community and region for decades to come.
For more information, please contact
Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org 256-535-2036
How Investment Dollars Are Spent:
225 Church Street NW Huntsville, AL 35801 256-535-2000 phone 256-535-2015 fax info@hsvchamber.org
hsvchamber.org