Keeping you informed and inspired. October 2026
VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10
DEFENSE
COVER STORY
Auburn Launches Laboratory in Cummings Research Park to Aid Space, Missile Defense Programs
Called a “one-stop shop” for research and testing by Maj. Gen. Jason Cothern of the Huntsville-based Missile Defense Agency, the new Auburn University Applied Research Laboratory features the nation's first university-led space electronics testing facility. By Bud McLaughlin - Page 6
RETAIL
More Than 90 Businesses, One Downtown Huntsville Address
For Aaron Hase and his family, downtown Huntsville is more than a popular retail and dining destination; it is a third-generation family affair. Formerly known as Clinton Row Shops, Clinton Row Market is a mixed-use space that holds retail, office, and storage space. By Katie Holt - Page 16
ADDITIONAL STORIES • 6 Ways Small Business Owners Can Get Ahead of Tax Season By Katie Holt • Page 2
Photo credit: iStock
• Oh Canada! Trade War Will Have Adverse Economic Impact on Sweet Home Alabama By Bud McLaughlin • Page 5
• Launch Regional Partnership Spearheads Regional Business, Entrepreneurship, Government Collaboration
Sponsored by:
By Haley Walden • Page 14
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HUNTSVILLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 9, Issue 10 October 2026 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SMALL BUSINESS
6 Ways Small Business Owners Can Get Ahead of Tax Season Tax season may still be a few months away, but according to Andrew Turner, a tax manager at Frazier and Deeter, it’s never too early to start preparing. Thanks to Huntsville’s Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, local business owners have the confidence to end the fiscal year strong and be ready for the tax year ahead. In late August, the organization hosted Turner for a free webinar explaining how to manage small business taxes. Turner said understanding the larger role taxes play in a business can help owners avoid many of the surprises that create tax-related stress. “Tax affects a number of different aspects of your day-to-day business. The more that we understand, the less likely we are to run into surprises because most tax stress does come from surprises,” he said. During the webinar, Turner walked business owners through tax considerations at every stage of a company’s lifecycle, from choosing an entity structure and maintaining financial records to managing estimated payments and planning for year-end. According to Turner, approaching taxes as an ongoing part of running a business can help owners avoid many of the surprises that create taxrelated stress. “I think it's helpful to think of taxes in general as a system, not as a single event,” Turner said 1. Tax planning starts when your business does Tax considerations don't begin with a company's first tax return. Turner explained that different issues can arise throughout a business's lifecycle, beginning with its formation and continuing through operations, growth and changes, and eventually a sale, succession or closure. Throughout his presentation, he repeatedly emphasized one principle for new business owners: document everything from the beginning. “Good record keeping starts on day one,” Turner said.
He also encouraged entrepreneurs to begin developing relationships with professionals who can help them navigate tax and legal questions as the business becomes more complicated. “As small business owners, I think that it is imperative that you start building that bench of advisors sooner rather than later,” Turner said. 2. Your business structure may need to change as you grow Turner explained that entity choice can affect how income is taxed, what tax returns are filed, and how owners are paid. Changes such as increasing profits, adding owners, hiring employees, bringing in investors, or expanding into other states can all be reasons to reevaluate that structure. He also cautioned owners against making entity decisions based just on federal tax treatment, noting that state and local tax considerations can change the analysis. This makes entity selection something owners should periodically revisit rather than a one-time decision made when forming a company. 3. Estimated taxes = a cash-flow expense For entrepreneurs used to working as employees and seeing their taxes taken out of their paycheck, the transition to paying taxes as a business owner can be an unwelcome surprise. Some small business owners may need to make estimated tax payments throughout the course of the year. Turner explained that this makes
taxes something owners should incorporate into their ongoing cash-flow planning. “Remember, it's not an April 15th issue; it's throughout the year,” Turner said. He compared the expense to other recurring costs that businesses typically plan for when managing their finances. “Estimated tax is a year-round cash flow item. It's like rent. It's like payroll. If you wait until April 15th, it can create a cash crunch,” Turner said. The CPA also stressed that estimates are based on profit, not simply deposits into the business, making accurate, timely bookkeeping especially important. 4. Good bookkeeping is more than filing taxes Accurate records can make tax preparation easier, but Turner said good bookkeeping serves a broader business purpose. He recommended regularly reconciling bank and credit card accounts and keeping financial statements, including profit-and-loss statements and balance sheets, up to date. Doing this gives business owners a clearer picture of what is actually happening inside their companies. “This isn't just about tax. This is about actually giving us information to use to run our business,” Turner said. Accurate financial information can help owners spot rising costs and determine which customers or
By: Katie Holt / Graphic by Katie Holt
areas of the business generate the most value. 5. A deduction is only as good as the documentation behind it While presenting, Turner shared several deductions that can apply to small businesses, including home-office expenses, business vehicle use, travel, meals, and certain equipment purchases. However, an expense feeling business-related isn't enough on its own. Turner said owners need to establish the business purpose and maintain the appropriate records. Turner warned that trying to reconstruct those records after an audit begins can put an owner in a difficult position. “You didn't document it. Oh, now we're audited. Now I have to divulge all these records to the auditor, and I don't have them. That's not going to help the case at all,” Turner said. Throughout the presentation, he advised documenting expenses as they occur rather than trying to recreate their purpose months or years later. 6. Don't wait until tax season to start planning With the end of the year approaching, Turner said now is an especially valuable time for business owners to consider their tax position. Around September and October, Turner said his firm begins reviewing clients' year-to-date profits, projecting fourth-quarter results, and determining whether estimated payments need adjustment. “I would encourage you to sit down in September, October, November and talk to your advisors about all of these issues and get a good projection,” Turner said. He also noted that a proactive approach gives owners time to make adjustments instead of discovering problems after the year has already closed. “Look at everything because that's the time to do it. Give yourself time to make the changes where you need to,” Turner said. w
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October 2026
SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS
A Conversation with Dr. Yates and Dr. Alison of Dunagan, Yates & Alison Plastic Surgery Center After more than three decades of working together, Michael D. Yates, MD, and William E. Alison Jr., MD, have developed a partnership built on mutual trust, shared standards and the ability to lean on one another when a difficult case arises. In this edition of Sit Down with Success, Yates and Alison discuss the teamwork behind their enduring partnership, the responsibility of operating an independent medical practice and their commitment to advancing patient care without compromising the standards that have guided them throughout their careers. At what point did the two of you realize that you worked particularly well together? Dr. Yates: I think that since we both trained at Vanderbilt, we had this common background. The training was excellent there. We had a similar philosophy of how to take care of patients. Dr. Alison: Treating patients well, expecting excellent results, and making sure our staff was happy and all that was core. The main thing is that we both understood that we were trained similarly. We liked to take care of patients and we just didn't let little things bother us. That's the reason we're still here 30-something years later. As DYA has grown, how have you protected the culture and standard of patient care you want associated with the practice? Dr. Yates: Our culture has been to ignore the hype, do what makes sense and is rational. That way, we know we'll continue to provide superb care for our patients. A lot of that comes through education. Part of our job is constant education for our staff, but particularly for our patients. We guide them to proper decisions to help address their concerns. Dr. Alison: People call our office, and they're not all just people
spending money here in cosmetic surgery. But every single patient who calls here gets called back immediately. There's no separation of who gets treated each way. That is a hardcore rule here, and everyone's bought in. That's where we maintain this level of excellence. What do you want the next chapter of Dunagan, Yates & Alison to look like? Dr. Yates: Thoughtful progress. Ignoring the hype, but not discounting something out there that could be a good idea. Also, continuing to develop our own techniques that we know are better and better. We want to ultimately continue with our philosophy of absolute top-notch patient care, which, again is a combination of surgical skill and care of the patient before and after surgery. Dr. Alison: I want to continue to advance our care if we can find places to do that (our techniques), and not just stay static. We want to be up to date. But more than that, we want to lead with innovation. I still think I'm doing better work now than I did 10 years ago. You would think at this stage in our career that wouldn't really be true, but I think our results are better than they used to be. After everything you’ve experienced and accomplished, how does each of you define success today? Dr. Yates: Happiness of pa-
tients, staff, and personal sense of fulfillment. If our patients are happy, then that is very fulfilling to us. That's a measure of success. Also, if our staff is happy, and I think they
By: Katie Holt / Photo courtesy of Dunagan, Yates, & Alison
are because most of them have been with us for decades. I see that as a component of our success. From a personal point of view, I love what I do. If I have a good day, have done really good surgery, and know we're taking care of our patients, then it makes me feel good. Dr. Alison: I kind of use the big picture of just that having a great reputation for doing good work. You generate that by years of happy patients. I don't mean happy because the results were happy. Happy because of the way they were treated and the process. Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the Huntsville Business Journal website. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing
President /Publisher………………………………Todd Stephenson Editor………………………………………………………Sarah Zupko Writers……………………………………………………… Katie Holt Noah Logan Bud McLaughlin Haley Walden Contributing Writer………………………… Ambrosia Patterson Graphic Design ……………………………………… Justina Simon Amy Pearson Website………………………………………………… Justina Simon Photographers………………………………………… Steve Babin Justina Simon Director of Sales …………………………… Carolyn Stephenson Distribution…………………………………………… Glenda Mace Huntsville Business Journal is published monthly by EVENT Publishing,
PO Box 14219, Huntsville, AL 35815 For advertising information call 256.533.8078, e-mail todd@eventhuntsville.com, or visit us on the web at www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com For editorial information contact editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com ALL CONTENTS ©2026. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF THE CONTENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EVENT PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED AT THE RISK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR AUTHOR. EVENT PUBLISHING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE RETURN OF ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS AND MAY USE THEM AT ITS DISCRETION.
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October 2026
ECONOMY
Oh Canada! Trade War Will Have Adverse Economic Impact on Sweet Home Alabama Things are about to get ugly for Alabamians in the trade war between the U.S. and Canada. You see, Canada is Alabama’s No. 1 international trade partner. Alabama exports about $4.3 billion in goods to Canada each year, representing nearly 20% of the state’s total exports. Also, 129 Canadian-owned companies employ 13,850 workers in Alabama. And, hundreds of residents of the Hockey Capital of the South may take a crosscheck to their wallets because hockey equipment, including sticks and skates, are among some 550 goods targeted for a 50% tariff announced by President Trump. “Donald Trump may not believe America needs Canada, but Alabama certainly does,” Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones said in a statement to Huntsville Business Journal. “Canada is Alabama’s largest trading partner, with $7.6 billion in goods traded between Alabama and Canada last year. Alabama imported $3.3 billion in Canadian goods, and tariffs on Canadian goods are taxes that will raise costs for Alabama businesses and families. “Canada also purchased $4.3 billion in Alabama goods, including $1.9 billion in Alabama-made automobiles.” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Jones’ Republican opponent in the governor’s race, supported the president’s decision in a comment to the Business Journal saying Canada has “absolutely been stealing us blind for years.” In the tariff dispute, each side has blamed the other for the collapse of negotiations last week, leading the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada has set Sept. 8 as the start of its retaliatory penalties on about $28 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said eight states, including Alabama,
should be targeted for “additional retaliatory tariffs” in the wake of the breakdown of trade talks between the two countries. Canada’s tariffs will be at rates of 15%, 25% and 50%, matching the corresponding U.S. tariff rate on more than 700 products such as pulp and paper and electronics. The tariffs on many American products would double from 25% to 50%, with the largest share of the new measures affecting steel and aluminum. “Canada’s retaliatory tariffs will make Alabama products more expensive, reduce demand and put Alabama manufacturing jobs at risk,” Jones said. “Tommy Tuberville says these tariffs will bring manufacturing back, but manufacturing is not gone in Alabama. Our automobile industry is growing, and this trade war could hurt the very workers he claims to support. “Tuberville clearly does not understand tariff policy or Alabama’s economy. Instead of standing up for Alabama workers, he is taking a knee to Donald Trump." In a statement to Huntsville Business Journal, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country’s tariffs would include steel products as well as dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper and electronic products. He said the increased tariff on autos will hurt American workers because Canada buys more
American cars than the EU and other countries. “What is the message sent out to the workers in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama?” Carney said. “These workers depend absolutely on Canada - their largest consumer.” Alabama exports $4.3 billion in goods to Canada: • Automobiles -$1.9 billion • Aircraft and parts - $340 million • Trucks - $238 million • Paper and paperboard - $155 million • Iron and steel alloys and semifinished products - $127 million • Plastics and plastic articles $120 million • Iron and steel tubes, pipes and sheets - $75 million • Optical, medical and precision instruments - $61 million • Motor vehicle parts - $61 million • Aluminum and aluminum articles - $54 million Alabama imports $3.3 billion in goods from Canada: • Aluminum & aluminum articles - $438 million • Engines & turbines - $421 million • Motor vehicle parts - $233 million • Aircraft and parts - $212 million • Crude petroleum - $132 million
By: Bud McLaughlin / Photo courtesy of iStock
• Plastics and plastic articles $117 million • Animal or vegetable fats, oils and waxes - $100 million • Iron and steel alloys and semifinished products - $90 million • Furniture and bedding - $88 million • Softwood lumber - $67 million According to the Associated Press, here are some of the Canadian products specified by the White House: • Natural honey • Bulbs for plants such as tulips and lilies, as well as some fresh cut flowers • Seeds for beets, onions and other vegetables • Horsehair, tortoise shells, antlers and various animal products • Alcohol such as beer, vermouth and cider • Furniture knobs, wallpaper and lighting fixtures • Plates, cups, bowls and other kitchen or tableware • Paints, varnishes, vinyl tile floor coverings and various plywood sheets • Ice skates, golf equipment, fishing rods and other sports accessories • Perfumes, makeup and manicure preparations • Suitcases, bags, gloves and coats • Toys and certain “articles for Christmas festivities” • Digital cameras and recording equipment • Smartphones and video game consoles • Envelopes, cigarette paper and toilet or facial tissue “We have recognized from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship,” Carney said. “Our government understood that America is altering all its trade relationships, putting tariffs on its closest allies and charging for access to its vast market. “Canada has what the world wants and we will not allow any nation to determine our future.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
DEFENSE
Auburn Launches Laboratory in Cummings Research Park to Aid Space, Missile Defense Programs Called a “one-stop shop” for research and testing by Maj. Gen. Jason Cothern of the Huntsville-based Missile Defense Agency, the new Auburn University Applied Research Laboratory features the nation's first university-led space electronics testing facility. Cothern made his remarks during the Aug. 18 ribbon-cutting of the 50,000 square-foot facility in Huntsville's Cummings Research Park. He was joined by Auburn President Dr. Christopher Roberts; Dr. Steve Taylor, Auburn senior vice president for research and economic development; Michael DeMaioribus of the board of trustees; Dr. Joseph Jewell, assistant secretary of war for science and technology; U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville; U.S. Reps. Dale Strong, Robert Aderholt and Mike Rogers; and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “Our weapons systems have to work in all conditions,” said Cothern, the MDA’s deputy director. “That’s why this building and everything it houses is so important.” With the institute’s other facility less than a mile away, the laboratory marks an expansion of Auburn’s footprint in Cummings Research Park. It also expands the university's ability to support U.S. government and industry partners tackling complex national security and space exploration challenges. “This is a momentous day for Auburn and for the security of our nation,” Taylor said. “Auburn’s work in Huntsville, particularly the radiation effects testing, will meet an urgent need for our Department of War partners.“ The facility will be home to Auburn students, faculty and 30-plus full-time research scientists working to solve critical challenges for the U.S. government and industry. “This facility represents Auburn’s contribution to one of the nation’s most important places for defense, space and research,” said Roberts. “Auburn students will work side by
side with engineers and researchers. “The future is being built right here in Huntsville and Auburn is proud to be a part of it.” The facility is a joint venture between Auburn University and the City of Huntsville’s Industrial Development Board. “Mayor Battle stepped up to make this happen and for that we are forever grateful,” Taylor said. “This facility is helping us put centers of excellence together,” said Battle. “We can bring the brightest here so we can do the best for the nation’s defense.” The expansion is backed by a recent $11.4 million Department of Defense contract and will establish the nation’s only university-led radiation hardening test facility. Rad hardening is the process of ensuring the durability of microelectronics in the intense radiation environments of space. At the center of the facility is a superconducting cyclotron that will enable researchers to replicate radia-
tion environments encountered in near-Earth orbit and during solar particle events. The testing allows engineers to evaluate how advanced microelectronics perform before they are used in mission-critical systems. Satellites, spacecraft, missile defense systems and launch vehicles all rely on electronics that must continue operating in environments where even a single radiation-induced failure can jeopardize an entire mission. The facility's primary mission is to support the Missile Defense Agency, with additional capacity available to other federal agencies, military services and commercial partners. Testing operations are scheduled to begin in early 2027. “To provide for a highly reliable defense of our nation and our armed forces, we need to test every microelectronic component for its performance in space,” said Cothern. “Going forward, we will have priority access to Auburn’s proton cyclotron facility to ensure timely radiation testing of
By: Bud McLaughlin / Photos courtesy of Auburn University
the microelectronics our cutting-edge systems depend on.” Reports from NASA, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the Office of the Secretary of War have identified a national shortfall in radiation effects testing capabilities. Backed by the MDA contract awarded in November 2024 and an additional $7.5 million added in July 2026, Auburn will help bridge this documented national readiness gap. “We need research that moves at mission speed,” said Tuberville. “We’re going from concept to prototype to activation faster than ever before. “We’re living in a dangerous world and this will make us safer every day.” Auburn students, faculty and fulltime research engineers and scientists will conduct research and build prototypes in the facility with partners that include the Missile Defense Agency, NASA, Space Development Agency, Air Force, Army Aviation and Missile Command, Army Research Laboratory, Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Space Command, Space Force, Special Operations Command and aerospace and defense industry. “I’m proud to see Auburn take research to deployment,” said Strong (R-Huntsville), who helped secure $4 million for the project. “We are truly the center of gravity for research and development. “We’re not just teaching the students about the problems, but giving them the ability to solve them right here, right now.” w
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October 2026
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Momentum Leaders Announces Huntsville Executive Class 5 Momentum Leaders has announced the members of its Huntsville Executive Class 5, a distinguished cohort of women leaders selected to participate in the organization's signature Executive Leadership Program. Over the next nine months, participants will engage in intensive leadership development, executive coaching, and peer learning designed to strengthen their leadership capacity and expand their impact across North Alabama. The Huntsville Executive Class 5 includes: • Ashley Bailey, President, Highlands Medical Center, HH Health • Bethany Ashmore, CEO, Measurement Specialists, Inc. • Brenda LS Matthews, Owner, Bellehouse Event Venue • Cindi Williamson, Executive Director, New Hope Children's Clinic • Dana Stone, Owner and COO, Rocket City Momentum • Emily Rogers, Business Development Manager – Alabama, Turner Construction Company • Erica Trapp, Interim Director of Facilities – North America, Adtran, Inc. • Felicia Jones, Executive Director, Caring Heart Outreach Inc. • Kasi Phillips, Human Resources Manager & Office Administrator, GTEC • Kimberly (Kim) Taylor, Director of Contracts and HR, Avion Solutions, Inc. • Kristy Poole, Vice President, Premier Bank of the South • Laura Eshelman, Director of Product Development & Sky-
PASS Product Lead, Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc. • Lesley Shotts, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Grants, and Research, Drake State Community and Technical College • Melissa Chavez, Founder/CEO, MAC Global Promotions® • Philomena Compton, Director of Capture & Business Development, Mission Multiplier • Shannon Shaver, Director of Nursing, Clearview Cancer Institute • Stephanie Faught, Financial Advisor, Savant Wealth Management • Tami Allen, Deputy Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Momentum's Executive Leadership Program brings together accomplished women from diverse professional backgrounds to develop leadership skills, build strategic relationships, and accelerate personal and professional growth. Since launching in Huntsville in 2022, the program has helped strengthen the pipeline of women leaders serving businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies throughout North Alabama. For more information about Momentum Leaders and its Executive Leadership Program, visit www. momentumleaders.org. w
By: Ambrosia Patterson / Photo courtesy of Momentum
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
CYBER TECHNOLOGY
Cyber Workforce Needs Facing Gaps Over the Next Several Years We all know that technology is a “what’s new today is obsolete tomorrow” animal. And, relating to national security, there are gaps in developing a cyber workforce that meets the nation’s national security needs. Identifying those gaps and building Huntsville’s next generation cyber workforce was the subject of a Cyber Huntsville panel discussion held on Aug. 25. “Are we developing the workforce today that meets our national security needs in five years?” asked Cyber Huntsville board member Jason Fickett, who served as moderator of the discussion. “The rate at which software can be developed is rapidly changing,” said Brad Horton of the Army’s Threat Systems Management Office. “The people we need coming in now are truly digital natives.” One of the challenges the nation faces is filling the available jobs. Teens are tending to shy away from computer and cyber-related jobs because of rhetoric that artificial intelligence will take away their jobs. “One thing that haunts me is we’re going to need a workforce in five years,” said Dr. Tommy Morris, director of the Cyber Security Research and Education Center and a professor at UAH. “They still need to know computer science and computer engineering. “We’re still going to need all our graduates in 3 to 5 years.” AI can be an important tool in cybersecurity, said Nate Le, FBI section chief in the digital forensics and analytics section. “AI is the hot topic right now and does speed things up,” he said. “It’s one of those transformative technologies. “I’m looking forward to the next 3 to 5 years; academia and industry will bring the leverage.” The panelists agreed that students with diverse studies would be ideal candidates for a cyber-based workforce. “We train people to be problem solvers because what is new today will be obsolete tomorrow,” Morris said.
Pictured left to right: Brad Horton, Nate Le, Dr. Tommy Morris and Jason Fickett.
“I am of the mind that I look for someone who is an expert in something but has broad knowledge,” said Horton, a self-described “geriatric millennial.” “It’s about someone being adaptive. Lifelong learners who are passionate at large about knowing things … these are the people I’ve seen in the cyberworld who are just awesome.” Le agreed that diverse backgrounds are essential in hiring. “One of the FBI’s strengths is hiring people from all walks of life…you have all these perspectives coming together to solve problems,” he said. The panelists also agree on the importance of internships and co-ops to meet Huntsville’s workforce challenges. “We have a high retention rate with interns,” Le said. “Before their senior year, students get connected with the local FBI office.” Morris told the industry partners in the audience that internship programs are a win-win for the students and their companies. “The students start working on your projects and they’re more likely to work for you,” he said. “They’re cleared and ready to go.” Regarding clearances, which are required at most companies in Huntsville, Morris said the jobs would help
the students gain clearances. “They’ll keep their noses clean,” he said. “They see what they need to keep
By: Bud McLaughlin / Photo by Bud McLaughlin
their clearance and they’re scared.” He added that there needs to be a way to get students cleared while still in school, particularly in Huntsville. To help meet the workforce challenges, Horton and Le suggested changes in government and industry cyber jobs requiring degrees. The Federal Aviation Administration hired more than 2,000 video gamers to train as air traffic controllers and no college degree was required. “There’s a strong correlation between gaming and the cyber community,” Horton, a gamer himself, said. “They’re of the mindset ‘If I’m good at this, I’ll be good at that.’” Le said the government should be “nimble to judge salaries (the GS pay scale) based on performance instead of a degree.” Horton agreed. “We are self-limiting in some ways … we need to open the aperture.” w
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October 2026
GOVERNMENT
Huntsville City Council President Jennie Robinson Shares Update on Sandra Moon Complex, Ditto Landing Event Center, Other Local Projects During South Huntsville Main’s Business & Community Connect on Aug. 18, Huntsville City Council President and District 3 representative Jennie Robinson shared updates on the Sandra Moon Community Complex, the redevelopment of the former state docks at Ditto Landing, and other local developments. Robinson placed the projects within the context of Huntsville’s long history of expansion, noting that the city has experienced and adjusted to periods of rapid progress before. “The wonderful thing is that we adapt to that growth. We take advantage of the opportunities for that growth,” Robinson said. These changes have also created planning and infrastructure challenges. Robinson said Huntsville now covers approximately 231 square miles, requiring the city to serve residents across a particularly large geographic area. “We are dispersed across this very large area, which creates some problems. We're figuring out every day how to deal with it,” Robinson said. Sandra Moon Complex Development The Sandra Moon Community Complex was the centerpiece of Robinson’s South Huntsville update. For approximately a decade, the city has carried out a multiphase plan to transform the former Grissom High School campus. The work has included the South Huntsville Public Library, athletic fields, pickleball courts, a playground, and extensive infrastructure improvements. The final phase features performing arts, meeting and recreational spaces (including a renovated 611-seat theater), an event hall, two gymnasiums, art and rehearsal spaces, and multimedia production rooms. The complex will also include an adaptive recreation area designed for adults with special needs. The space will feature accessible restrooms, adult changing tables, a sensory room, and an area where caregivers can rest while those they support participate in recre-
ational activities. She said the city hopes the facility will provide an example other communities can follow. “There's nothing like this anywhere else in the state. So, this is really going to be, I think, a model for lots of other communities,” Robinson said. The complex is tentatively expected to open by the end of September, with its first performance scheduled for Oct. 1. Ditto Landing Event Center Robinson provided an update on the transformation of the former state docks building at Ditto Landing into a riverfront event center. During the event, she noted that the center will include indoor and outdoor concert and event space, two restaurant areas and an upper-level rental space known as the Crow’s Nest. Robinson said the Crow’s Nest will accommodate approximately 50 to 75 people and provide views of the Tennessee River, Hobbs Island and the
Cumberland Plateau. The city has constructed a road to the previously difficult-to-access property and is adding parking to support the development. The event center is expected to be completed this fall. Von Braun Center Expansion Huntsville recently approved the creation of a tax increment financing district known as TIF 9, which will provide approximately $200 million for the Von Braun Center expansion and $20 million for other public improvement projects. The VBC project will add more than 100,000 square feet of event and exhibit space, including a second ballroom, additional meeting and breakout rooms, a new kitchen and expanded parking. Robinson pointed to the record attendance at the recent Space and Missile Defense Symposium (SMD) as evidence that the facility needs more capacity. According to an official statement
By: Katie Holt / Photo by Katie Holt
from the VBC, more than 250 companies were on a waiting list to exhibit in this year’s SMD. “It was very clear to everyone that the VBC needs more space,” Robinson said. Robinson said the expansion is expected to take approximately three years to complete. New Downtown Courthouse Project Robinson also discussed Madison County’s plan to replace the existing courthouse on the downtown square. She emphasized the cooperative relationship between the City of Huntsville and the Madison County Commission as the two governments prepare for the multiyear project. “We are great partners with the commission. That's not always true in communities. The commission and the city tend to fight each other, but we work really well together,” Robinson said. Plans call for preserving part of the courthouse property as a public plaza. Some county court operations are expected to temporarily relocate to the former federal courthouse while the existing building is demolished and replaced. Robinson said planners are also working to minimize the effect of construction on downtown businesses. “I've been told that they have figured out a way to do this without shutting the businesses down that are around the square because that is a real concern,” Robinson said. Robinson also highlighted the recent completion of a 17-mile South Huntsville greenway loop and the ongoing expansion of Big Spring Park East at the former City Hall site. Taken together, Robinson said the projects reflect Huntsville’s effort to pair economic and population growth with investments that improve residents’ quality of life. “To quote Mayor Battle, we don’t want to just be the biggest city in the state of Alabama; we want to be the best,” Robinson said. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
GOVERNMENT
Rep. Dale Strong Visits Huntsville, Discusses Postal Delays, Golden Dome Potential, and Redstone Gate Access U.S. Rep. Dale Strong addressed missile production, the Golden Dome, Redstone Arsenal access, and other issues affecting North Alabama during the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Washington Update breakfast on August 31. Strong joined retired WHNT 19 anchor Steve Johnson for an onstage question-and-answer session at the Saturn Ballroom in the Von Braun Center. Johnson began by asking about reports that recent military operations have strained the nation’s missile stockpiles. Strong said North Alabama’s defense industry is working to expand production and restock the nation’s supply. “We've doubled the capacity of the PAC3 seeker head, and it's the people in this room that made that happen. The president understands, the secretary of the Department of War understands what we're doing to fill our clip, to build a fight on more than one front,” Strong said. Strong added that the area’s advanced manufacturing capacity is being pushed to unprecedented levels. “The big thing is we've used a lot of weaponry, but I can tell you this right here. Our advanced manufacturing is being pushed at a level never pushed before, and I think that our finest hours are still ahead and our community plays a large role in that,” Strong noted. The congressman also discussed Huntsville’s potential role in Golden Dome, the Trump administration’s proposed multilayered missile-defense system. Recalling a recent Oval Office meeting, Strong said President Donald Trump told him to prepare for North Alabama to receive “a bigger piece of the pie than you even know.” “I'm telling you, get ready, North Alabama. Golden Dome is on the horizon, and we're going to play a huge part in it,” Strong said. During the onstage discussion,
Strong also spoke about the recent closure and reopening of Gate 3 at Redstone Arsenal. The gate closed July 6 because of security guard staffing shortages and reopened July 10 for weekday traffic. “The people going to and from work should be able to know that those gates are going to be open. I'm going to do everything I can to be sure that those 68 people that keep those gates open every day and the security there are there,” Strong said. Strong said funding was available and that Congress had authorized the use of contractors to fill security positions. He also shared a story about how he contacted U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the closure and that the gate reopened 18 hours later. “The funding's not the issue. The language is there that we want the subcontractors to do it, but we can't have those gates closed,” he said. Johnson then asked about the new Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in North Alabama, a 150-acre burial site along the northeast side of Maysville Road in Madison County. Construction is set to begin in October. “When you see the schematics of this veterans' cemetery, it is going
“We were told by the postmaster that they have property lined up for that situation, then they don't have it, then they do. Then they come and ask us about build design. That's not my role as a congressman” to make our community proud. Our veterans deserve it,” Strong said. The cemetery is being built with a federal grant of about $13.5 million and $20 million in state funding. State of Alabama officials estimate it could host as many as 150,000 burial sites and serve the region for two centuries. “I get a little bit of credit for it, but I'm telling you, I couldn't have done it without the governor and without our legislative group that's here, the local county commission, everybody's working on this thing,” Strong said. After the Chamber program ended, local reporters gathered separately to ask Strong additional questions, including about continued mail delays and plans for a new post office in
By: Katie Holt / Photo courtesy of Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce
Owens Cross Roads. Strong said the problem extends beyond Owens Cross Roads and criticized the U.S. Postal Service’s handling of the proposed facility. A previously considered site on U.S. 431 is no longer under contract, although USPS has said it is pursuing another location. “We were told by the postmaster that they have property lined up for that situation, then they don't have it, then they do. Then they come and ask us about build design. That's not my role as a congressman,” Strong stated. This July, Strong introduced the PERFORM Act, a bill that would stop the postmaster general from receiving a performance-based bonus when USPS fails to meet specified delivery, financial, audit, or reporting standards. Every member of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation joined the legislation as an original cosponsor. “They have the money to run that facility, and what they need to do is to move forward with it and the new construction that they committed to,” he said. Strong, a Republican, is seeking reelection in November against Democratic nominee Andrew Sneed, founder of a Huntsville-based mechanical contracting company. Sneed has invited Strong to join a series of public town halls, and his campaign said Strong declined. Asked by a journalist about criticism that he has not held open, in-person town halls, Strong defended his use of telephone events. “It works for the people I represent. I'm going to continue to do what I do and let the other people do what they do,” Strong said. Strong continued, “I'm about as successful as any United States congressman has ever been with a three-vote majority. I'm required to be in DC for votes, and I will always represent the fifth district with my voting.” w
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October 2026
GOVERNMENT
Huntsville Offers Funding to Businesses for Mill Creek Façade Improvements A long-neglected section of Huntsville is about to take another step in its rehabilitation. Business and property owners in West Huntsville’s Choice Neighborhood Mill Creek area will be eligible to apply for grants to improve their building exteriors. “I am proud of the investment and attention that is being given to the people of West Huntsville,” said City Councilman Bill Kling, whose district includes the Mill Creek area. “In the past, this area of the city was neglected.” The Mill Creek Façade Improvement Grant Program, funded through the city’s Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program, provides a maximum project cost of $24,999 for eligible properties. Owners contribute 10% of the cost before construction begins and the city covers the remaining balance. “This is a tremendous opportunity that the city is excited to offer through the support of HUD,” Community De-
velopment Manager Scott Erwin said. “The program has $175,000 available, with each application and scope of work being unique. The application portal will remain open until all funds have been allocated, so we encourage everyone to
apply soon. “We encourage eligible property owners to submit applications quickly to be a part of this project.” Erwin said applicants must meet environmental requirements, including considerations related to flood plains, to be eligible. “Since the portal opened, we have had 12 businesses apply, and the positive response from the neighborhood has been remarkable,” he said. “While not all applicants may be eligible due to environmental criteria, we are grateful for the strong interest and participation.” Owners and operators of commercial or mixed-use buildings with ground-floor commercial space within the designated Mill Creek boundaries (Holmes Avenue and I-565 south to Bob Wallace Avenue, between Triana Boulevard and Memorial Parkway) may apply.
By: Bud McLaughlin / Photo courtesy of City of Huntsville
“This Mill Creek project will provide for mixed-use housing, a new Publix for the neighborhood,” Kling said. “Huntsville Hospital will have a new apartment building for its nurses and support employees. The city of Huntsville will be doing a lot of flood mitigation efforts.” The city recently approved a contract hiring Strozier Construction Company as the project’s general contractor. Eligible improvements include painting and surface cleaning; window, door and framing repair; exterior lighting; signage, awnings and canopies; masonry repair and siding as well as code and ADA accessibility upgrades. To start the process, property owners can apply online or email the Community Development Department for a pre-application consultation. “Overall, we are estimating that this will be at least $350 million of new investment that will now accentuate the appeal of West Huntsville,” Kling said. “There is pride in being from West Huntsville now.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER S
New Huntsville Experiential Retail, Com
By: Haley Walden / Ph Huntsville’s growth is undeniable, and its thriving retail market clearly reflects this progress. As demographics across the metro area continue to evolve, retail businesses engage with an increasingly diverse array of customer needs and desires. Among the top 100 largest cities in the country, and among the top 20 most rapidly-growing cities nationwide, Huntsville has made measurable strides. According to a report from AL.com, between 2022 and 2025, the Huntsville metro area added approximately 27,600 jobs. Data from the City of Huntsville’s Planning Department puts this growth trend into perspective. As of July 1, 2025, the city’s estimated population had grown to 249,102, a 15.9% increase from the 2020 U.S. Census. That amounted to adding roughly 34,000 new residents to the area, averaging out to 18 people per day. “[When] you add 60,000-plus new jobs [since 2014], and you see the growth on Redstone Arsenal and with people moving from other parts of the country, that’s helped retail,” said Shane Davis, Director of Urban and Economic Development for the City of Huntsville. The Colliers Q4 2025 Huntsville Retail Report revealed that retail space availability remained competitively limited at 3.4%, below the U.S. national average of 4.8%—an indicator of local market health. The report also indicates that the U.S. Space Command’s relocation to Huntsville, which will generate an anticipated 1,600 to 1,800 jobs, will continue driving retail demand over the long term. Affordable cost of living lends itself to a healthy retail market Huntsville City Council member Bill Kling said new residents coming from more expensive metro areas often express surprise at the housing prices in the area, whether they’re buying or renting.
According to the latest Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS data, as of July 2026, Madison County’s median year-over-year existing home sales price was $335,000, in contrast to the national median year-over-year
average of $431,400 (National Association of REALTORS). Kling said, "A lot of people have home equity that they've built up out of town—California, Washington D.C. and other places—and they
come to Huntsville. They're very pleasantly surprised that their four or five hundred thousand dollars in home equity buys them a very nice house." ”We offer good jobs and affordability. If you’ve got expendable income, you're going to get out and explore because you have income to go and shop,” Davis said. Who is “the new Huntsville shopper”? The “new Huntsville shopper” isn’t just someone who relocates to the area; it’s also someone who sees the Huntsville metro through fresh eyes. What may look unremarkable to longtime residents instead becomes a major selling point for people arriving from larger or more costly markets. "Huntsville has a big city appeal with a small city feel,” said Mike Sandoval, Qualifying Broker at Capstone Realty. "I think the buyer who comes into Huntsville is totally different
13
October 2026
STORY
Shoppers Seek mmunity Connections
hotos courtesy of iStock from the resident who has lived here for a few years." Sandoval cited affordability, local amenities, the variety of retail and dining options and Southern hospitality as features that often wow newcomers. “People who come from a different area are surprised how friendly Alabamians [are],” said Sandoval. “They're used to coming from big cities where you don't make eye contact, but they appreciate the culture we offer here.” The new Huntsville shopper is also diverse. Cindi Pope, co-owner of University Pickers, said, "With the growth of Huntsville, we're seeing a more diverse shopper. They're coming from different backgrounds; they have different styles." Sallie Ennis, co-owner of Lawren's gift shop, said she has seen an influx of young customers, as well as shoppers who are new to Huntsville. She said transplants to the area are often “surprised when they come, because they've come from a large city [and] they come to Huntsville to see a store that has such a variety." Shoppers are looking for unique offers, in-person connections Huntsville’s shopping experience will continue to evolve as the area grows more diverse. While e-commerce continues to capture a large portion of the market, local business owners and city officials have noticed signals indicating a return to in-person experiences. Ennis said that even though Lawren’s has an e-commerce presence, the shop has seen a recent influx of in-person shoppers. "I think they're getting away from ordering online,” Ennis said, “because they want to see what they're buying, and they want to touch it." For newcomers to Huntsville, connecting with small, locally-owned businesses is a great way to not only get to know local business owners, but
to meet neighbors and fellow members of the community. "I think [customers] like the connection of shopping with their neighbors instead of just people that they don't know,” Pope said. Taylor Allen, a native of Jacksonville, Fla. who’s new to Huntsville, said she’s eager to enjoy in-person experiences and connections, and would love to see larger retail offerings made available, such as Nordstrom or ZARA. “I would like to see Huntsville continue to evolve, offering opportunities to network and socialize with
people who share the same interests, like moms, fashion bloggers and more,” Allen, a mom of two young children, said. Sarah Marsh, whose family of eight relocated to Huntsville from Colorado Springs, Colo. this summer, has enjoyed moving to a thriving neighborhood where neighbors know one another and participate in community events together. Marsh, who lives in Northeast Huntsville with her husband and six children, has had a challenging experience receiving ecommerce deliveries. At the same
time, in-person retail offerings in her immediate area are sparse. “I think any businesses would probably thrive in this area, because there are a lot of houses, new developments being built and a lot of developments already here,” Marsh said. In time, continued growth just might draw more retail offerings to Marsh’s area; according to Davis, it’s all data-driven. "Population growth causes new rooftops, and rooftops create retail,” Davis said. Demand for experiential retail environments is on the rise Beyond a departure from e-commerce and the desire to connect with fellow residents, Davis said shoppers are leaning increasingly toward experiential store environments. “What we’re finding is we still want e-commerce for convenience, but we still want to get out of the house and do something. I think, for small boutiques and specialty stores, it’s as much entertainment as it is shopping. It’s experiential,” Davis said. “Over the last ten years, when we have the opportunity to bring a new retail center, we make sure it has a good mix of uses and it’s an experience. It’s not just pulling up in a parking lot, running into a store, and running back out. I think other [cities] across the country are doing that.” Huntsville’s growth has contributed to unique retail stores’ arrival in the area, including stops like the LEGO Store at Bridge Street Town Centre, Trader Joe’s, the recently-opened IKEA and the forthcoming Nordstrom Rack. As the metro continues to grow, additional opportunities may present themselves. "With Huntsville metro being close to 1.4 million people now, we’ll start to get those looks that we otherwise wouldn't have gotten ten years ago,” Davis said. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
NONPROFIT
Launch Regional Partnership Spearheads By: Haley Walden / Photo by Haley Walden Regional Business, Entrepreneurship, Government Collaboration Launch Regional Partnership (Launch) convened for its eighth annual State of the Region gathering on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at the Point Mallard Event Center in Decatur, Alabama. Business leaders, local representatives, and entrepreneurs from across 13 Alabama counties—Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston—gathered to celebrate Launch’s Roadmap for the Region, recap the organization’s work across North Alabama, and chart an aligned course into the future. “Regionalism isn't about one city or just one county in the region. It's about the entire region, and North Alabama is not standing still,” said Launch Committee Chair John Allen. “North Alabama is on the move.” Launch catalyzes regional collaboration and drives strategic action that leads to sustainable growth across North Alabama; no city or sector is promoted or elevated above the other. The nonprofit provides a neutral space for leaders, stakeholders, and officials to come together and focus on the future, and works alongside local chambers of commerce, councils of government, economic development authorities and tourism bureaus, encouraging them to align with a broader vision for the region. Over the past 11 years, Launch has spearheaded successful projects across the region, including the Singing River Trail, a nonprofit 220-mile greenway project; the Regional Workforce Study, which connects business needs with talent pipeline development; and Launch Tank, an entrepreneurial pitch competition. Its Regional Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Study guides strategic innovation investment. Launch's goal is to align three major pillars across the region: land use, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Leaders representing each pillar delivered progress updates
Launch Committee Chair John Allen
at the event. Entrepreneurial pillar leaders John Joseph IV, Executive Director of Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center, and Toni Eberhart, Executive Talent Marketing & Engagement Specialist at Blue Origin, stated that to date, five Launch Tanks have been held across the region. Workforce development pillar leader Dr. Harry Hobbs of the Alabama Workforce Development Board and Vice President Employee Engagement at Huntsville Utilities discussed the importance of building workforce development and readiness alignment, with the goal of addressing each county’s specific workforce gaps and needs. Finally, Erin Tidwell, the City of Athens’ City Planner Engineering & Community Development, discussed the Land Use Committee’s progress in understanding regional interests, needs, and capacity. The committee has brought in professionals and partners to address current and future challenges, including transportation safety, state fiber initiatives, and TVA's dark fiber initiative. Alabama State Representative Terri Collins and Mary Marshall VanSant, Director of the Office of Regional Engagement at the University of North Alabama, announced the inaugural cohort of The Exchange, Powered by TVA. In September 2026, 28 Launch leaders will gather from across North Alabama for the first of five sessions
aimed at building relationships, sharing ideas, and creating opportunities that strengthen the region. “Each day-and-a-half session will focus on creating a trusted number of leaders committed to connecting people, sharing ideas and creating opportunities that strengthen North Alabama,” VanSant said. “Together, participants will build relationships that extend beyond county lines and work towards a more connected, resilient, and prosperous region.” U.S. Space Command transition to Huntsville opens regional defense industry opportunities The relocation of the United States Space Command headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville brings an array of new workforce opportunities to North Alabama. Col. Raymond Ruscoe, Deputy Director of the Redstone Transition Team for U.S. Space Command, presented an in-depth look at the command’s contribution not only to defense from space, but protecting the access to space that enables the technology tools we use every day. “This is not necessarily a war fighting issue,” Col. Ruscoe said. “This is a living issue. Your power grid depends upon it. Commerce in general depends upon our freedom of maneuver in space.” According to Col. Ruscoe, U.S. Space Command is composed of about 18,000 personnel total, 1800
of whom will relocate to Huntsville as part of the transition. Roughly half of those personnel (900) are projected to be in Alabama by 2028. First Spirit of Regionalism Award presented posthumously During the event, the first inaugural Spirit of Regionalism Award was presented posthumously to John Seymour, who advocated for and championed Launch until his death in Dec. 2025. Seymour served as President and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce for three decades. Jim Page, former Chairman and Interim Director of Launch, presented the award, which was accepted by Crystal Brown, former President and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. In the future, the honor will be known as the John Seymour Spirit of Regionalism Award. More about Launch Founded in 2015 by North Alabama business leaders and led fully by volunteers and businesses, the Launch Regional Partnership nonprofit exists to facilitate and nurture collaboration across the region, with the ultimate goal of envisioning a collective shared future. The organization believes that for success in the long term, a unified regional vision is essential. Using research data collected by the University of North Alabama, Launch identified eight strategic initiatives to focus on. These include Regional Branding, Strategic Communications and Public Relations; Tracking Emerging Trends, Resources and Peer Benchmarks; Leadership Connectivity; Regional Advocacy; Regional Infrastructure Planning; Workforce Development; Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Administration and Governance. Launch’s strategic platform equips local leaders to effectively advocate at both the federal and state levels. To learn more about Launch and its ongoing initiatives, visit https:// launchtnvalley.org/. w
October 2026
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16
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
RETAIL
More Than 90 Businesses, One Downtown Huntsville Address For Aaron Hase and his family, downtown Huntsville is more than a popular retail and dining destination; it is a third-generation family affair. Formerly known as Clinton Row Shops, Clinton Row Market is a mixed-use space that holds retail, office, and storage space. Hase said his grandfather had owned the Clinton Row building since the late 1990s and established the retail concept in 2014. After his grandfather died in 2024, the larger family inherited and managed the business for about a year. Hase and his wife, Shannon, purchased it from the family in 2025 and renamed it Clinton Row Market. Part of the market’s appeal is its constantly changing collection of stores. Businesses frequently move into larger, smaller, or different spaces within the building as their needs change. “It's interesting because even if you walked through, let's say, three months ago, it'd be completely different today because it's always evolving,” Hase said. Vintage clothing and video games are currently popular, along with romance books, comic books, Magic: The Gathering products, and Pokémon cards. Hase jokingly described the trend as Clinton Row’s “nerd moment.” “We want to keep it interesting, with creative, new, fun businesses that you're not going to find at other places around town necessarily,” Hase said. Events also bring shoppers into the market. In August, Clinton Row businesses collaborated on a night market that attracted young adults and families. “Night market was huge. You could barely walk through the halls,” Hase said. The event’s success was partly driven by tenants promoting it through their social media accounts. Clinton Row’s variety of stores also makes it accessible to families with different interests. “We get a lot of families. You can walk through with a stroller. Mom can go shopping here. Dad can buy
Pokémon cards, the kids can buy vintage video games, and there’s custom jewelry. There's just a little bit for everybody,” Hase said. At press time, Clinton Row was planning a family-oriented event around Halloween, although details had not yet been announced. Hase said Black Friday and Small Business Saturday would be the market’s next major events. Beyond existing as a unique shopping experience, Clinton Row serves as what Hase calls a “small-business incubator.” Traditional office and retail leases can require three-or five-year commitments and high upfront costs. At Clinton Row, how-
ever, most tenants lease their spaces month to month. This flexible arrangement lets entrepreneurs test an idea without taking on the financial risk of a long-term lease. “I think that's one of the things that hurts a lot of people when they're trying to start a business; you go, you want to sign an office or a retail lease somewhere, and they're like, oh, that's going to be three or five years. It's a triple net lease,” Hase said. Hase continued, “Most people don't even know what that means, but it's very overwhelming, the financial outlay that you've got to put yourself on the line for.”
By: Katie Holt / Photos by Katie Holt
When a business does well, it can move into a larger space without leaving the market. Clinton Row gives existing tenants priority when its larger spaces become available. Hase said several businesses have used that model to expand. In Bloom began in a small space before becoming one of the market’s anchor tenants. One Man’s Vintage started in a small second-floor location, later moving into the back hallway and then later into a larger storefront. Huntsville Hobby, also known as “the Pokémon Guys”, more than doubled its space within its first few months at Clinton Row and is now one of the building's most popular stores. Blushing Books, which Hase says is Alabama’s only romance bookstore, has also developed a strong following. The market’s tenants contribute to one another’s growth through mentorship, social media promotion, and informal groups in which owners exchange business practices and plan collaborative events. “You're sharing your 20,000 followers with their 30,000, and it's helping you find different audiences and a lot of best practices. We've got little groups that meet together that are business owners here,” Hase said. More established retailers in the market may also mentor newer owners in similar industries. For Clinton Row, that culture of collaboration is an important consideration when the company chooses tenants. Hase said Clinton Row is a small family, a place where hopeful entrepreneurs can thrive. Spaces in different sizes and at different price points are available, along with a community willing to help a new business grow. “If someone's looking to start a small business, we'd love to talk to them. There are different sizes and price points for everybody. This is a good place to come try out your business, grow it around like-minded people that are going to help you and have fun,” Hase said. w
17
October 2026
RETAIL
Local Retailers Hold Their Ground Against National Chains When national chains and bigbox stores move into a growing market like Huntsville, independent retailers often find themselves competing for the same customers with a fraction of the marketing budget. But several local business owners say the answer was never to compete on price or scale. Instead, they leaned into what a national brand cannot easily copy: local roots, personal relationships and products with character. Sherry Hartley has co-owned Alabama Goods with Beth Staula for 19 years. The store sells products made entirely by Alabama crafters, a fact Hartley said sets the business apart from anything a national chain could stock. “We sell products that are crafted in Alabama, so it would be challenging for a national competitor to match that,” Hartley said. “They just tend to have a lot of charm and Alabama character built in them, and that really sets us apart.” About 92% of the makers whose work is sold at Alabama Goods do not sell through big-box or major online retailers, according to the store. Hartley said that for many of those crafters, Alabama Goods is their only outlet outside of craft fairs and art shows. “We help them to stay in business and to continue to do what they love to do,” she said. The business has grown considerably since it launched as a website and corporate gifting operation. Alabama Goods opened its first store in Homewood, then expanded that location, then opened in Huntsville and, two years ago, in Hoover. Its corporate gifting division now operates out of a dedicated building of more than 6,000 square feet. Customer service is another differentiator Hartley points to. The store has won awards for it, she said, and that focus extends to how easy the company makes it for other businesses to work with it on corporate gifts. Across town, Loring & Co. has spent three decades building the kind of relationships Trent Thomas says a
big-box store simply cannot replicate. The jewelry store opened in 1996, founded by Rick and Eleanor Loring. Thomas and his wife, Caitlin Thomas, took over ownership in 2020. Loring & Co. is celebrating its 30th year in business. “Rather than trying to match them on every front, we doubled down on what we do best: offering the best brands in the industry, building genuine relationships and being deeply involved in the community,” Thomas said of the national chains that have expanded into Huntsville over the years. Some of the store's staff members have worked at Loring & Co. for more than 25 years, Thomas said, long enough to remember a regular customer's preferences without being told. “Being greeted by a familiar face when you arrive is always comforting,” he said. “Our staff knowing what your significant other likes and dislikes gives a big advantage in our ability to deliver a gift they will truly love.” Thomas said the store's roots in the community trace back to its founders. Rick Loring served as president of the Huntsville Botanical Garden and later as CEO of the Huntsville Museum of Art, relationships Thomas said helped position the store as part of some of its customers' most important milestones. w
“The more we can help others achieve success, the healthier our business will be,” Thomas said. “This is something the ‘big box’ companies will never be able to compete with.” On pricing, Thomas said Lor-
By: Noah Logan / Photo courtesy of iStock
ing & Co. does not try to undercut national competitors. Because the jewelry it sells is priced by the designer, the same piece costs roughly the same no matter where a customer buys it, he said, which removes the guesswork for shoppers. Thomas said he has watched multiple generations of the same family come through the store's doors, from engagement rings to gifts marking the birth of their own children. “Invest in your community,” Thomas said, offering advice to other independent retailers. “The more you help others achieve success, the stronger your own business becomes.” Both business owners said growth in Huntsville has brought more competition, but also more opportunity. As long as they stay rooted in what makes them different, they said, they expect to keep growing alongside the city.
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
REAL ESTATE
Madison County Home Listings Slow in August; Market Inventory Rises Madison County sellers listed fewer single-family homes on the market in Aug. 2026, according to the latest data from the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS (HAAR). For the week ending Aug. 22, 2026, new single-family home listings decreased by 4.3% year-over-year to 154. The three-month average of 187 indicated a 5.3% year-over-year increase. Pending home sales for the week ending Aug. 22 increased by 15% yearover-year to 138. The three-month average of 146 pending sales reflected an increase of 10.1% year-over-year. Market inventory for the week ending Aug. 22 increased by 6.5% yearover-year to 2,238. The three-month average of 2,244 homes indicated a 5.3% year-over-year increase. In July, Madison County homes stayed on the market for an average of 44 days before selling, a 4.8% yearover-year increase. From August 2025 to July 2026, the average number of
days on the market was 53. According to NAR, homes are spending longer on the market in general across the country, and buyers aren’t as likely to offer more than a home’s asking price in comparison to 2025. Madison County sellers received, on average, 98.8% of their listing price, an increase of 0.2% year-over-year.
The month’s supply decreased by 2.4% yearover-year to four by the end of July. For the month of July 2026, the median home sales price in Madison County increased by 1.7% yearover-year to $345,750. This contrasts with the national median existing-home sales price of $431,400 for July, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). NAR’s national median existinghome sales price for August 2026 continued its climb to $434,800, a 1.7% year-over-year increase. National sales decreased by 1.9% month-overmonth (seasonally adjusted); they were down by 1.1% year-over-year from August 2025. Across the South, home sales ex-
By: Haley Walden / Photo courtesy of iStock
perienced a 1.6% month-over-month drop. The rate was unchanged yearover-year. Homes in the South sold for a median price of $366,500, closer to Madison County’s average and a 0.7% year-over-year bump. Madison County’s housing affordability index came in at 88 for July 2026. This index is a measure of regional housing affordability. An index of 88 meant the median household income was 88% of what’s necessary to qualify for a median-priced home under prevailing interest rates. The higher the number, the more affordable. Attend the Rocket City Real Estate & Economic Forum, hosted by HAAR On Oct. 15, 2026, HAAR will host the Rocket City Real Estate & Economic Forum at its headquarters in Huntsville. The event qualifies as continuing education credit for real estate agents. Find out more, see the agenda and register at https://acre.culverhouse.ua.edu/ event-directory/rocket-city-real-estateand-economic-forum/. w
19
October 2026
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Groundbreaking marks start of $2.2 billion Westmoore Landing development A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for Westmoore Landing, a planned $2.2 billion mixed-use community near historic Mooresville. Developers Donald F. “Trey” Rochford of Rochford Realty & Construction Co., Inc. and David Horwath, president of Land Innovations, were among those marking the start of the project. The ceremony was held August 31 at the Westmoore Landing property on Arrowhead Landing Road and marked the transition from years of planning to the beginning of construction. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Huntsville City Council Member John Meredith delivered remarks during the ceremony. Mooresville Mayor Nikki Sprader and Alabama State Sen. Arthur Orr were among the public officials in attendance. “A groundbreaking is the point when years of planning begin to become visible on the land,” Horwath said. “Our objective is not simply to develop a piece of property. It is to create a community that can mature naturally over time and provide a place for people at every stage of life.” At full buildout, Westmoore Landing is planned to include thousands of homes, commercial destinations, parks, public spaces and community amenities. The community will provide a range of housing opportunities and settings intended to serve people at different stages of life. The story of Westmoore Landing began with the McCrary family’s desire to create something special for property their family has cared for over generations. Rather than viewing the property simply as a land transaction, the family sought a plan that would respect the land, contribute to the surrounding area and have a positive impact extending well beyond the current generation. “The McCrary family did not simply ask what could be built on this property,” Rochford said. “They asked what kind of place it should become and challenged us to create something that would have a multigenerational
impact. That expectation has guided the project from the beginning.” The planning philosophy behind Westmoore Landing looks backward as well as forward. The development team has studied the characteristics of towns and neighborhoods that have endured over generations and considered how those principles can be applied to the way people live today. “We want Westmoore Landing to feel less like a development built all at once and more like a town that grew naturally over generations,” Rochford said. “That does not mean attempting to recreate the past. It means understanding the principles that allowed the best communities to remain successful and applying those lessons to the needs and realities of the present.” Westmoore Landing uses a form-based approach to guide the character and intensity of development throughout the community. More active mixed-use areas will transition into residential neighborhoods offering different housing types, sizes and price points. Streets, parks, greens, gathering places, commercial areas and community amenities are being planned to work together as parts of the same community. The intent is to allow Westmoore Landing to grow gradually, with new elements added over time without losing the character established at its beginning. “Westmoore Landing has required persistence, cooperation and a shared commitment to the long-term vision for this property,” Horwath said. “This groundbreaking represents an important transition from planning the community to building the streets, public spaces and infrastructure that will provide its foundation.” The ceremony also recognized the McCrary family’s longstanding stewardship of the property and the role of 1818 Farms in carrying that legacy into the land’s next chapter. The program concluded with the ceremonial turning of the soil and group photographs with members of the McCrary family, public officials, community leaders, project partners and members of the development team. w
Free classroom supplies coming to Morgan County teachers in September via Free 2 Teach Free 2 Teach, a Huntsville-based nonprofit that provides free classroom supplies for North Alabama educators, is expanding into the Morgan County School system. Beginning this September, teachers in the Hartselle City, Decatur City, and Morgan County school systems will have the opportunity to receive free school supplies from the non-profit. Free 2 Teach has offered this service to Madison County since 2011 and in Limestone County since 2025. On August 26, the organization announced its expansion into Morgan County. The expansion brings the organization’s reach to eight public school districts, 158 schools, and more than 97,000 students. Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling said 6,000 public school educators and staff members will now be eligible to use its services. “We are open to every single adult in the building. If you're a school nurse, if you are a speech pathologist, if you are a full-time class teacher, if you are a sub, this is a place for you, and we're so excited for what's ahead,” Kling said. To kick off this expansion into Morgan County, Free2Teach is hosting a school supply kickoff event for all educators in the area’s three school systems. At the event, teachers will have the opportunity to receive a bag of free school supplies and meet the nonprofit’s team. “We are literally driving that bus over that river, and it's going to be really fun. We're going to have supply welcome events. They're going to learn how to come shop with us,” Kling said. All teachers and school staff are welcome to attend their district’s Free 2 Teach Welcome Event and Pop-Up Supply Shop. Advance registration is not re-
quired; however, educators are encouraged to sign up through free2teach.org to help the Free 2 Teach team plan for attendance and supplies. Teachers and school staff should bring their school badge or identification to the event. Morgan County Free 2 Teach School Supply Events: Thursday, September 17: Hartselle City Schools • The Burleson Center: 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 18: Decatur City Schools • Decatur Morgan County Farmers Market: 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 23: Morgan County Schools • Priceville Event Center: 4:00 p.m. Starting in October, teachers and school staff across all three public school systems can register for shopping appointments at Free 2 Teach’s Huntsville resource center and shop for free classroom supplies and resources throughout the school year. Alabama State Senator Arthur Orr partnered with Kling and Free 2 Teach to bring the expansion into Morgan County. Orr previously operated a minigrant program that allowed Morgan County teachers to apply for funding to purchase instructional materials for their classrooms. The program slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the years that followed. “We used to do a mini-grant program in Morgan County that was for classroom instructional materials for teachers to outfit their classrooms as they wanted, buying the materials that they needed with a small grant. When COVID hit and the years after that, the program kind of went down,” Orr said. The expansion is supported by nearly $170,000 in grant funding provided by Orr. The investment will fund the organization’s first year of service in Morgan County. “This really will enhance their capabilities to access the resources of Free 2 Teach and then, in the process, obviously help the children that they're teaching, and that's a win for everybody,” Orr said. “Senator Orr has been a longtime supporter of education across our
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state and our region,” Kling said. Kling continued, “This significant grant funding is a continuation of his powerful commitment to educators. We are so honored and excited to serve this incredible community and support the amazing work already happening in schools across Morgan County.” The Free 2 Teach Huntsville resource center is open 11 months of the year. Public school teachers and school staff can shop for free every month. Since its founding, Free 2 Teach has distributed more than $17 million in supplies to educators in North Alabama. w
Ride United provides people with a lift to education and the workforce It’s a simple question and a simple answer. “What would you do if your neighbor or best friend said ‘I’ve got to go to my doctor’s appointment or a job interview or to the drugstore’,?” Redstone Credit Federal Union President and CEO Joe Newberry asked. “You’ll say ‘I’ll give you a ride or find a way for you to get there.’ That’s what Ride United is about.” Newberry’s remarks came Wednesday at a Ride United event hosted by the United Way of Madison County at Redstone Federal’s downtown headquarters. The credit union is one of the sponsors for the program. “We’ve given $100,000 to Ride United and we’re committed to giving $10,000 a year,” he said. “How can we help people … that’s why God put us on this Earth. “I encourage other companies to join us.” The program is about generosity and community involvement; there are more than 90 Ride United programs across the country. “This program could not exist without our sponsors,” said Cathy Miller, the agency’s community
impact director. “This isn’t a ‘give anybody a ride who wants one.’ The United Way is about accountability. “It’s an earn as you go program.” Ride United helps clients overcome transportation barriers that hinder access to health, financial stability and education. By addressing the challenges caused by poverty, systemic racism and other inequities, the agency helps people secure employment and access medical care. “The big issue is public transit,” Miller said. “We want to fill the gap … we love being part of the solution.” Ride United has provided more than 41,000 rides since it started in 2020, including 308,000 miles of rides in Madison County for more than 7,400 people. With some 85% of the rides being workforce-related, Miller said they are “looking for people who are ready to take a step” toward transportation independence. Joseph Galloway was a client who found his transportation independence. “In 2021, I was going to Calhoun to get certifications,” he said. Galloway had transit issues living with his single mom and four siblings and one car. “Ride United helped me guide my way to education … and six certifications,” Galloway said. “I worked at Mazda-Toyota and got my own car.” Daniel Kasambira, the agency’s president and CEO, cited the generosity of people and partners in the success of the program and its clients. “We take to heart every day to be changing people’s lives,” he said. “Dolly Parton is an example. There are people birth to 5 (years old) who have never met Dolly Parton, but through her Imagination Library, there will be doctors, teachers, engineers. “Because of Ride United, there will be success stories.” Ride United helps by providing employment access. By closing transportation gaps, the program helps people participate in short-term certification programs in the community or at community colleges, job fairs and employment screenings, as well as to secure and maintain jobs. With access to health care, people can go to medical appointments and
the drug store. At least 75-80% of the program’s clients eventually get their own transportation, Miller said. And with that they can lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. “We are dedicated to the economic growth of the community because that means personal growth and stability,” she said. w
HH Health opens 32,000-squarefoot Operations Center in Arab Huntsville Hospital Health System (HH Health) and Marshall Medical Centers have opened a new 32,000-square-foot Operations Center in Arab, bringing up to 250 jobs to the area and representing an investment in Marshall County. The new facility, located at 8830 U.S. 231, will house a variety of nonclinical functions that support patients and health care teams across HH Health, including billing, preregistration, scheduling, customer service and accounting. Approximately 60 employees currently work at the center. “Patient care happens in our hospitals, physician offices and clinics, but it is supported every day by dedicated teams working behind the scenes,” said Clinton Carter, chief financial officer for HH Health. “This new center is an investment in the people and resources that help make exceptional health care possible across our region. We are proud to build on that work in Arab.” The Arab facility is only the second centralized business operations center for the nonprofit, communitybased health system, which includes 15 hospitals serving communities across North Alabama and southern Tennessee. HH Health’s existing center in Madison had reached capacity, creating the need for additional space and a second location for essential business functions. “Our teams are supporting more patients, hospitals and communi-
ties than ever before, and we needed additional space to accomplish that important work,” said David Ralston, executive director of Revenue Cycle for HH Health. “This new location gives us the flexibility we need, and I’m incredibly proud of the team that helped make it possible. The work they do every day makes a difference across our health system.” The new center also helps keep jobs and business operations within the region rather than outsourcing those functions elsewhere, extending the local impact of HH Health and Marshall Medical Centers beyond patient care. “This is about more than opening an office. It is an investment in Marshall County,” said Chris Rush, president of Marshall Medical Centers. “Bringing these jobs to Arab creates new opportunities for families in our region while supporting the hospitals and teams that care for our friends and neighbors. We are proud to invest locally for the future.” HH Health is actively hiring for a variety of positions at the Arab Operations Center, with additional roles expected to be added throughout the year. To learn more or apply, visit https://careers-hhsys.icims.com/jobs/ search?ss=1&searchLocation=1278112782-Arab. w
Drake State, UAH Partner on Student-Led Growth Initiative Drake State Community and Technical College and The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are partnering on a Fall 2026 project that will give students experience working on institutional challenges while supporting economic development efforts in the Huntsville area. The initiative is led by Dr. Jason Greene, dean of the UAH College of Business, and Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State Community and Technical College. Students enrolled
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in UAH’s MGT/MKT 495 Practicum, taught by Dr. Valentina Iscaro, will work with local organizations and institutions to research challenges and develop recommendations based on data analysis. As one of the participating institutions, Drake State will work with student teams to examine opportunities related to enrollment and student engagement. The project will provide Drake State with research-based insights and fresh perspectives while giving students experience working on a real client project, alongside industry professionals. “This partnership demonstrates how universities and community colleges can work together to create value for students and our community,” said Dr. Jason Greene, Dean of the UAH College of Business. “Students will apply what they have learned in the classroom to a real organizational challenge, and Drake State will gain insights that can help inform future decisions. That makes this a beneficial experience for everyone involved.” Dr. Sims said the project aligns with Drake State’s commitment to collaboration and student success and sharing resources to create win-win solutions to challenges. “We are pleased to partner with UAH on this initiative,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College. “The work completed by students may help us identify new opportunities to support enrollment and strengthen student outcomes. At the same time, students gain practical experience that will serve them in their future careers.” According to Dr. Iscaro, the project is designed to give students direct experience applying business and marketing concepts in a professional setting. “This experience allows students to work on a project that has relevance beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Valentina Iscaro. “hey will engage with institutional leaders, analyze information, and present recommendations that could contribute to organizational goals.” Leaders from both institutions say the partnership reflects a shared commitment to utilizing regional resources, supporting student learning,
and finding solutions through collaboration. They hope the initiative will serve as a model for future partnerships that benefit students, institutions, and the Huntsville community, allowing work to be a lever that propels Huntsville forward. w
Defense contracts: Integrated Solutions for Systems lands $47 million Navy contract Integrated Solutions for Systems’ new Navy contract leads this week’s list of Huntsville-area companies that have been awarded contracts by the Department of Defense. Other companies include Dynetics, BK Manufacturing Co., Blue Halo and Consumer Fuels. The IS4S contract is a $47,768,691 firm fixed price contract for expeditionary maintenance and repair facility (EMRF) production for the Navy. The program is for the fabrication of five fully outfitted EMRFs, consisting of 90 individual expeditionary maintenance and repair container (EMRC) prototype units and four additional fully outfitted EMRC variants. The EMRF with additional EMRC variants will be deployed globally to diverse environments where the government will use them as data collection platforms to validate the EMRF concept. The work will be performed in Huntsville and is expected to be completed by September 2027. Other contract awards: • Dynetics was awarded a $40,776,966 hybrid other transaction agreement modification to manufacture, deliver and support 14 medium range air defense radar (MRADR) production representative model systems. The hybrid modification also requires depot level technical manual support, program management support, engineering change proposals, associated
program management, logistics support, software support, and retrofit four MRADR prototype systems and four Marine Expeditionary Long Range Persistent Sensor systems. Work will be performed at Huntsville and is expected to be completed in August 2028. • BK Manufacturing Co. of Arab has been awarded a $28 million contract for wings and fins by the Air Force. The firm-fixed-price indefinitedelivery/indefinite-quantity contract provides for wings and fins for the AIM-120X and CATM-120X series of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The work will be performed at Arab and is expected to be completed by Aug. 27, 2031. • BlueHalo of Huntsville has been awarded a $11,243,255 Air Force cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for Airman Improved Readiness. The modification brings the total face value of the contract $41,240,260 from $29,997,005. The work is expected to be completed by Feb.13, 2028. The Air Force Research Lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the contracting activity. • Consumer Fuels of Huntsville has been awarded a maximum $10,625,482 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinitequantity contract for MVSS sensor head kits. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support in Warren, Mich. w
Mental Health First Aid equips UAH faculty, staff to support students The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is expanding mental health support for students by
training faculty and staff in Mental Health First Aid. “This is a first aid class, like somebody on the scene of a physical medical incident,” says Kari Morris, one of approximately 100 faculty and staff members who have completed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System. Morris is a research engineer and scientist in UAH’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering & Simulation Center. “If you’re not a trained doctor, you don’t diagnose and perform surgery on this person. That was a big point to the class. You learn the signs to recognize that this is a mental health first aid situation. You do those kinds of things that you would do in any sort of health emergency, things that a non-professional can do that are safe and hopefully will benefit the patient. Then you call for the pros, or you give that person the resources they need to call for help.” UAH’s Academic Success Advocacy Program (ASAP) has offered MHFA training through the Heads Up Prevention program at WellStone since spring semester 2023. The next class is scheduled for Oct. 22 in the Student Services Building. Use this link to sign up. Registration is limited to 15 participants. UAH Mental Health First Aiders contributed to a big milestone for MHFA, a program of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. In July the council announced that 5 million people across the U.S. have been trained since 2008 in one of the nation’s largest mental wellbeing movements. September, National Suicide Prevention Month, is a good time to highlight the benefits of Mental Health First Aid. National Suicide Prevention Week happens the second week in September, and World Suicide Prevention Day is Sept. 10. MHFA training won’t turn an engineer into a professional counselor, but it does equip faculty and staff members in any discipline with the knowledge and confidence to provide basic assistance when someone is struggling through a difficult mental health situation. “At national conferences there has
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been a lot of discussion of the growing need for awareness and assistance. I’ve felt a little overwhelmed about what we can do to assist,” says Dr. Alisa Henrie, another faculty member trained in the program. She is a clinical assistant professor of engineering technology and department chair for UAH’s Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science degree program. “Being able to have these conversations with people who have the training to guide us and to make a plan helps reduce the anxiety about the what-ifs. I always like having a plan. And it’s great to be able to have discussions about what resources are available.” The campus counseling pros are grateful for the extra support from Mental Health First Aiders. “I’m really glad ASAP brought this to the campus,” says Emily Eichhorn, director of counseling services at the UAH Counseling Center. “It seems like it’s always full every time they do a class. I think it makes the comfort level around mental health issues so much better on this campus.” Eichhorn notes that mental health stigma has declined in recent years, on campus and in society generally. “But there's still a stigma surrounding it, or even how to talk about it. I do think this program is definitely good when it comes to those things.” Eichhorn especially appreciates the faculty and staff who direct students, and sometimes walk with them, to the Counseling Center, located in the Conference Training Center. “The students may not know where we are, or they don’t feel comfortable coming here at first, but they may feel comfortable going to their professor or the staff member in the office they’ve made a connection with.” For the students who use the Counseling Center, the services make a difference in whether they remain at UAH. “We ran some numbers this past summer. If you came to the Counseling Center once, what was your persistence rate compared to the university as a whole? Ours is at 85%. If they’ve even come once to us, they’re
persisting longer. What we’re doing on this campus is working.” w
Florida sports ownership company acquires controlling interest of Havoc On what team owner Keith Jeffries called it, “an exciting day for the Huntsville Havoc, a new era is dawning for the Huntsville Havoc … but it will be off the ice. In fact, and another step forward for hockey in Huntsville and across North Alabama.” The Havoc announced Thursday that Zawyer Sports & Entertainment has acquired a controlling interest in the team. Zawyer is a Jacksonville, Fla.,-based sports ownership and management company. Keith and Becky Jeffries, who have held majority ownership since the team’s inception in 2004, will remain as the largest minority partner. “The time is right to bring in a managing partner that can help take the Huntsville Havoc into its next chapter,” said Keith Jeffries. “Becky and I are incredibly proud of what the Havoc has become and what this organization has meant to our family and the Huntsville community over the years. Andy Kaufmann and the team at Zawyer Sports & Entertainment share our vision for what this organization can continue to become. “I will remain involved with the Havoc, and our front office staff will remain intact, while Zawyer brings additional resources, experience and opportunities that will help us continue to grow.” Zawyer owns and operates the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, Greensboro Gargoyles, and Savannah Ghost Pirates; the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers; and the SPHL’s newest member, the Mobile Mysticks. “We are thrilled to welcome the Huntsville Havoc to the Zawyer
Sports & Entertainment family,” said Zawyer CEO Andy Kaufmann. “The Havoc have built something truly special in Huntsville, with a winning tradition, an incredibly loyal fan base and deep roots in the North Alabama community. “We’re proud to join that tradition and build on the strong foundation already in place.” Von Braun Center officials said they are excited about the partnership with Zawyer and the opportunities for the team and Huntsville. “For more than 20 years, the Huntsville Havoc have been an important part of the Von Braun Center and the Huntsville community, bringing tremendous energy to Propst Arena and creating memorable experiences for fans throughout North Alabama,” said VBC CEO Steve Maples. “We are excited to welcome Andy Kaufmann and Zawyer Sports & Entertainment into this next chapter of Havoc hockey. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the organization and working together to build on its success while delivering outstanding sports and entertainment experiences for our community.” Zawyer also owns and operates the Minor League Baseball Gastonia Ghost Peppers, the UPSHOT League, a women’s professional basketball league, and owns and operates its teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Baltimore. In addition to its owned properties, Zawyer provides operational management for the ECHL’s Augusta Lynx and Tahoe Knight Monsters, as well as UPSHOT Nashville. The SPHL Board of Governors approved the transaction at their annual meeting last month. The Havoc is a founding member of the league. “On behalf of the SPHL, I want to recognize Keith Jeffries for his tremendous leadership and commitment to the Huntsville Havoc and the Huntsville community,” said SPHL Commissioner Doug Price. “The Havoc have long been one of our league’s premier organizations, and we are excited to welcome Andy Kaufmann and Zawyer Sports & Entertainment into the Havoc family. “We look forward to working
with them as they build on the strong foundation already in place and continue the organization’s tradition of success both on and off the ice.” The Havoc hosts Pensacola in a preseason game Oct. 9 at Propst Arena at the VBC. For tickets, click here. The home opener is Oct. 23 when the Ice Flyers return to Propst Arena. Season tickets, mini plans and groups are on sale; single game tickets go on sale 10 a.m. today. For ticket information, click here. “We look forward to continuing the Havoc’s commitment to the community, creating great experiences for fans and families, and making an even greater impact throughout North Alabama,” Kaufmann said. w
SMD Symposium Highlights Growing Demand for Huntsville Convention Space The 2026 Space & Missile Defense Symposium (SMD) concluded another record-setting year at the Von Braun Center (VBC), highlighting the continued growth of the event and the demand for additional convention and meeting space in Huntsville. This year’s SMD drew approximately 10,000 attendees and 320 exhibiting companies, making it the largest symposium in the event’s history, with an estimated economic impact of $6,903,879.13. Demand for exhibit space also continued to increase, with more than 250 companies on this year’s waiting list. Exhibit space for the 2027 event is already sold out, with 97 exhibitors currently on the waiting list. The continued growth of SMD - one of Huntsville's largest and most nationally recognized conferences - illustrates both the strength of Huntsville's defense and aerospace industries and the increasing demand for the city as a destination for largescale conferences and events. The VBC's convention center expansion was recently approved as part of the City's broader investment in
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Huntsville's future. The project will significantly increase the facility's convention and meeting capacity, allowing Huntsville to compete for larger events and giving existing conferences such as SMD room to continue growing. "The demand we're seeing from exhibitors and attendees is a great problem to have, but it also underscores why the expansion is so important," said Dr. Joe Fitzgerald, a member of the SMD planning committee. "SMD continues to grow because Huntsville is at the center of so much important work in the defense and aerospace industries. We want this event to continue growing here, and having the space to accommodate that growth is a vitally important part of our future." VBC Executive Director Steve Maples said SMD is an excellent example of the opportunities created when a community's convention infrastructure and economic growth move together. "SMD's record-breaking year is exciting for Huntsville and for the VBC, but the numbers also tell an important story," Maples said. "We have organizations that want to bring more people, more exhibitors and more business to Huntsville, and in some cases we're simply running out of room. The expansion gives us the opportunity to say yes to more of those opportunities and, just as importantly, gives our existing clients room to grow." VBC Board of Control Chairman Dr. Bill Sullins said the success of events like SMD demonstrates the importance of continuing to invest in the VBC as a community asset. "The Von Braun Center has been part of Huntsville's story for more than 50 years, and we've seen firsthand how the facility grows alongside the community," Sullins said. "SMD is a tremendous example of what happens when Huntsville's industries, our hospitality community and the VBC come together. The expansion will allow us to build on that success and create opportunities for the next generation of events and experiences." Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Jennifer Moore said
the impact of growing conventions extends well beyond the walls of the VBC. "Events like SMD bring thousands of visitors to Huntsville who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, visit our attractions and experience our community," Moore said. "When an event grows, the benefits grow with it. The VBC expansion gives us another important tool to compete for these events and continue growing the economic and community impact they bring to Huntsville and Madison County." The expansion is the result of years of planning and analysis of Huntsville's convention market, including an independent study by Convention, Sports & Leisure (CSL) that identified additional convention space as a critical need for the VBC to remain competitive. The recently approved project is expected to break ground in November 2026, with the exact groundbreaking date to be announced later. Additional project details, including full renderings and information about the expansion, will be unveiled during a press conference held closer to the groundbreaking. For now, the record-setting SMD symposium offers a glimpse of the opportunities ahead. "What's happening with SMD is really a snapshot of where Huntsville is headed," Maples continued. "We're grateful to everyone who has helped make this event such a success, and we're excited about what the future holds for SMD, the VBC and our community." w
ServisFirst ranks No. 6 among top-performing U.S. banks ServisFirst Bank is ranked sixth among the top-performing U.S. banks with between $10 billion and $50 billion in assets, according to American Banker’s annual list. The banks are ranked by consulting firm Capital Performance Group based
on their three-year average return on average equity, or ROAE, using data from year-end 2025. ServisFirst Bancshares ranked fifth on the 2024 list. “Bein recognized among the country’s top-performing banks is a meaningful reflection of the consistency and commitment of our entire team,” states Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bank Chairman, President, and CEO. “Our performance is rooted in staying focused on our customers, making thoughtful decisions and maintaining the high standards we have set for ourselves since the Bank was founded. We are proud of what our team has accomplished and grateful for the trust our customers and shareholders continue to place in us. We remain focused on carrying that momentum forward as we grow and serve our markets.” ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., an $18 billion-asset institution, reported a three-year average ROAE of 15.39% and reported a 2025 net interest margin of 3.12%. In the American Banker article,
Claude Hanley, founder and partner at Capital Performance Group, said one of the biggest differences between the top-performing banks and the broader group was funding. The top 10 held a larger share of low-cost demand deposits, such as checking and money market accounts, giving them a cheaper source of funding for loans and helping preserve margins even as interest rates declined. Hanley also said there was no huge turnover among the top 10 performers, adding that the banks included in the ranking "outperformed in almost every aspect." As the only Alabama-based institution to rank in the top ten, ServisFirst Bank continues to strengthen its reputation as a high-performing, well-capitalized financial institution. This recognition underscores the Bank’s ability to deliver strong financial results in a competitive market, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for businesses and individuals across the Southeast. w
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