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U.S. Senator Richard Shelby talks with Hundley Batts, Sr., member of the Industrial Development Board and former Chamber Chair at a reception following the Chamber’s Washington Update Breakfast with Senator Shelby, sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Shelby gave his update to about 1,300 business and community leaders and residents at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County’s recent “Washington Update Breakfast”, sponsored by The Boeing Company, at the Von Braun Center North Hall.

Shelby said that although NASA centers are struggling somewhat as the space agency transitions out of the space shuttle program into the Ares work, Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center would continue to be in a good position. Likewise, he indicated that all of Redstone Arsenal, which is gaining thousands of new jobs thanks to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act, is poised to continue its growth.

The turnout for Shelby’s speech in Huntsville is annually the highest turnout of any of his speeches in any community in the state.

While a diverse array of companies make up the Best Places to Work in Huntsville/Madison County nominee list for 2007, all 104 of those nominated companies share one common element - a dedication to employee growth and satisfaction that reflects the exceptional quality of life found throughout Huntsville/Madison County. These companies represent a snapshot of the diverse and thriving nature of our region’s economy - an economy that balances the aerospace and defense industry with traditional manufacturing and service organizations mixed with innovative technology and entrepreneurial startups. Continue » Online Registration »

Scott Seeley, the 2008 Total Resource Campaign Commissioner for the Chamber, throws out the ceremonial “first pitch” to TRC volunteers at a Huntsville Stars game recently.

With one inning completed, the 2008 Total Resource Campaign All-Stars have already batted in more than $700,000 in runs and are well on their way to meeting the $1.2 million goal set by TRC Commissioner Scott Seeley for this year’s campaign. With team names like “Squeeze Play” and “Who’s on First”, this year’s player roster is focused on winning the pennant and surpassing the 2007 season.

Now in its fourth year, these volunteers are coming off three consecutive championship TRC seasons. The first year of the Chamber’s TRC program, a goal was set for $400,000. Instead, the volunteers won going away by hitting $600,000. The following season, the goal was set for $600,000 and again volunteers won going away with $900,000. In 2007 spring training, the goal was to hit the magic million. Volunteers hit another home run and achieved another record, this one at $1.2 million. Continue »

UAHuntsville President Dr. David Williams

President David B. Williams provided a vision for The University of Alabama in Huntsville during his recent installation as the university’s fifth president. He said his five-year goals are based on the “Power of 10.”

1 international campus (10⁰)
10 new degree programs (10¹)
100 Ph.D.s a year (10²)
1,000 co-ops and internships/year (10³)
10,000 students (10⁴)
$10 million in annual giving (10⁷)
$100 million endowment (10⁸)
$100 million in annual research expenditures (10⁸)

Williams was named president of UAHuntsville last year and has spent several months meeting with campus and community leaders, gaining insight on how the university can best serve the region, state and nation.

“Any city that aspires to be a center of technology and entrepreneurship must have a great university at its heart,” he said. “I have spent much time meeting with individuals on campus as well as around the community, and the goals and plans outlined today are the culmination of the desires and wishes for the role and responsibility this university has in our community.” Continue »

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Jesse Waddell, Civil Engineering Division Head, Jennifer Landry, Architecture Division Head, Richard Grace, Vice President and Huntsville Office Manager; and Mike Donnelly, Landscape Architecture Division Head.

Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, one of the Southeast’s largest architectural and engineering firms, has recently grown larger with the acquisition of Huntsville-based engineering and landscape architecture firm Civil Solutions.

“Not only does this merger make Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood one of the largest architecture/ engineering firms in Huntsville, we are the only firm with local professionals providing a fully integrated scope of architecture/engineering services in the city,” said Jeffrey Brewer, AIA, Executive Vice President-North Alabama, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. “The addition of a strong engineering component is a follow through on our commitment to Huntsville and to serve all the major markets in our home-state of Alabama.” Continue »

Oakwood University was crowned the national champion at the 19th Annual Honda All-star Challenge (HCASC). This event is the largest annual academic competition between the nation's leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The questions in the challenge are randomly selected from the topics of world history, science, literature, religion, the arts, social sciences, popular culture and African-American history and culture.

“HCASC provides a platform for America’s best and brightest from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to come together as competitors and connect in this amazing bonding experience,” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This event allows students to compete, engage in teamwork, and establish long-term relationships that can be beneficial when applying for jobs or pursuing higher education. Honda is proud to be a part of this experience.”

Calhoun Community College received a grant award of $198,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for its "Integration of Industrial Robotics and Simulation into Technologies Curricula" program.

The funding will be used to purchase robotics and simulation equipment that will integrate industrial robotics and simulation into Calhoun’s existing technologies curriculum to meet regional workforce needs for highly skilled employees in the field of robotics. The equipment to be purchased will complement existing courses at Calhoun and provide training to students to make them more competitive in the job market.

Implementation of the ARC-funded project will begin immediately and is scheduled for completion in May 2009. Mike Blizzard, division chair for technologies and machine tool technology instructor at Calhoun, will serve as project director for the program.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

When operating your own business, you can expect many challenges along with the potential of great reward. However many businesses fail if the entrepreneur is not properly positioned to leave the security of working for someone else in order to pursue his/her own dreams. Alabama A&M Small Business Development Center is providing a series of seminars, starting in April and ending in July, to help you start and manage your own business. All the seminars will be held at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. Continue »

Alabama A&M University is providing a Small Business Development Leadership Series at the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. These sessions will take place monthly May-Aug, 2008. The presentations will be done by Dr. Arthur L. Walker, Jr. Continue »

Robin Rodgers Exhibition Opening

The Huntsville Museum of Art’s award-winning Encounters series of regional contemporary art continues with a selection of 30 ceramic works by Robin Rodgers of Tallahassee, Fla. The exhibition will run from April 20 through June 29, 2008. Continue »

The American Cancer Society’s invites the public to join the fight against cancer by participating in their fundraising event, Relay for Life. The overnight event remembers those who have lost the fight against cancer, supports those who are currently fighting cancer, and honors those who have survived it.

The American Cancer Society encourages everyone to participate. During the event, team members take turns walking on the track and camping out overnight. Each participant is encouraged to raise at least $100 for the American Cancer Society. Continue »