(pictured from left to right) Deputy Mayor Rex Reynolds, Walter and Terrie Bridges, Chamber vice chair for economic development Charlie Kettle and City Councilman Will Culver (Click photo to enlarge)

Charlie Kettle, vice chair of economic development of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors said, “It is very appropriate that Southern Digital has located into the nation’s second largest research and technology park. After all, under the leadership of Walter and Terri Bridges, SDPI has become one of the premier high technology communications providers in the community.”

In addition to the opening of the new facility, the event also marked the company’s 15th year of business as well as the owners’, Walter and Terri Bridges, 15th wedding anniversary.

Terri Bridges, the company’s CEO, said the Huntsville community’s warm attitude toward small businesses and entrepreneurs and her employees have had a great impact on her company and companies in Huntsville.

“I have never seen a community so friendly to small businesses. There can’t be another company with a better staff than the one we have,” Terri Bridges said.

As a longtime volunteer for the Chamber, she also thanked all the volunteers and staff of the Chamber for their help. “I would like to thank the Chamber for all your help. I know I got a lot out of my time being a volunteer with the Chamber,” she said.

Walter Bridges, the company’s founder, made comments about the occasion and what the company does.

“It’s easy to say that we build television stations from the ground up, but what we really do is problem solving,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Rex Reynolds and City Councilman Will Culver made comments on behalf of the city of Huntsville.

“Thank you for all that you do for this community,” Reynolds said. He also explained that the economy may be grim but with companies such as SDPI, “there is a light at the end of tunnel and we will continue to grow as a community.”

Culver, who represents Huntsville’s fifth district, welcomed the company to his district.

“People like you and your employees make the business community in this city successful and possible,” Culver said.