One of Forbes Leading Cities for Business...

HREGI 
Newsroom » 



Chamber Members Continue to See Value in HREGI

Seven years ago leaders in the Huntsville/Madison County region developed a comprehensive economic growth strategy focused on creating and sustaining key programs to prepare the community to effectively compete in the global marketplace, while enhancing the community’s quality of life--the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI).

And it is because of this plan that the Huntsville/Madison County region has been able to weather the economic downturn better than most communities in the nation and is continuing to receive accolades for its growth, its quality of life and its workforce.

HREGI, under the stewardship of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, works to establish the region as a stronger and more visible community in the global competition for economic growth. Investors and participants in the Chamber’s plan measure the community’s economic performance against industry accepted economic development criteria to achieve a relevant return on investment. The initiative positions the Huntsville area as one of the leading economic growth centers in the Southeast.

HREGI is comprised of more than 175 investors who know that by investing in HREGI they are supporting their community and future business growth opportunities. The leadership from one global company with an area operation, AT&T, felt so strongly about the importance of HREGI that they recently increased their annual investment in HREGI this year by 25 percent.

“You have to plan for positive growth. The economy has ups and downs and when it is down you have to make investments in places where you know you are going to get a strong return," said said Dave Hargrove, area manager for AT&T. "This Chamber has an excellent track record of doing just that."

Several local companies have recently joined the growing list of investors because they also understand the importance of such an investment. Fite Building Company and United Space Alliance became two of the most recent investors and interest in joing the elite list continues to increase.

HREGI includes seven key strategies designed to move the Huntsville/Madison County community forward economically by creating strong partnerships and alliances throughout the region. The strategies focus on growing the existing industry base while at the same time recruiting targeted industry to continue to diversify the local economy. Protecting defense and aerospace industries and assets, developing a skilled and trained workforce are equally important strategies through HREGI and require a positive community image that ensures the community’s name is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally. And as many business leaders know, to ensure future growth the infrastructure must be in place to support that growth. Lastly, and equally as important as the other six strategies, is maintaining accountability to the Chamber’s investors and stakeholders.

These strategies are the roadmap to the destination of being globally recognized as the premier community to live, work and play and to relocate and expand a business. It takes a dedicated and committed group of business leaders to ensure a smart future for Huntsville, Madison and Madison County and the surrounding region.

Eight Initiatives
Grow and preserve the Huntsville region’s existing economic base, business climate, and business culture
Recruit targeted businesses and work to diversify our economic base
Support efforts to ensure there is adequate quality and quantity of workforce to meet employer needs
Enhance the community’s image
Be accountable to our investors
Develop the community’s capacity for new and sustained economic growth
Grow the community’s defense, space and life sciences industries and assets
Identify issues that may limit our economic development and coordinate with community organizations to eliminate those issues


For more information, contact :

Christy Nalley
Director of Finance & Administration
(256) 535-2018 office
cnalley@hsvchamber.org

HREGI Brochure



HREGI Brochure »
Top Investors
Development Partners
($250,000+ annually)



Development Council
($125,000+ annually)



Chairman's Council
($75,000+ annually)




President's Circle
($50,000+ annually)



Leadership Forum
($25,000+ annually)
ADTRAN
BBVA Compass Bank
The Boeing Company
Emerson Network Products - Avocent
The Huntsville Times
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Madison County Commission
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Verizon Wireless

Executive Council
($15,000+ annually)
AT&T
BB&T
CINRAM, Inc.
COLSA Corporation
Crestwood Medical Center
Intergraph Corporation
North Alabama Multiple Listing Service
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals
SES, Inc.
SPARTA, Inc., a Parsons Company
Wyle CAS Group

Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Phone: (256) 535-2000 | Fax: (256) 535-2015 | info@hsvchamber.org
All Rights Reserved