Jan 2019

Keeping you informed and inspired.

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1

January 2019

SMALL BUSINESS

COVER STORY

Lewter Hardware: If We Don’t Have It, You Probably Don’t Need It

Entering Lewter Hardware is like entering Grand Central Station at rush hour.

By Lori J. Connors - Page 4

Page 8

ENTREPRENEUR

Redline Steel Offers Home Decor Made in the USA

Colin Wayne is putting “Made in the USA” decor back in American homes.

By Wendy Reeves - Page 13

ADDITIONAL STORIES • FBI to Expand Presence on Redstone Arsenal

By Bud McLaughlin • Page 3 • Huntsville West: A Coworking Community That Just Happened to Be Used as a School for 50 Years

By Kimberly Ballard • Page 6 • RFCU Goes Downtown: Bricks and Mortar, Make Way for Metal and Glass

By Lori J. Connors • Page 10 • Irons One: Precious Little Batches, One Great Taste

By Lori J. Connors • Page 12 • A Landmark Groundbreaking for Madison, Duluth Trading Co.

By Bud McLaughlin • Page 14

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HUNTSVILLE

BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 2, Issue 1 January 2019 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802

2

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Happy New Year and Good Business in 2019 Happy new year to you all!

After a successful 2018, we here at the Huntsville Business Journal are looking forward to a wonderful 2019.

To say that the area business climate is healthy is an understatement.

Most recently, we’ve been called a “Superstar City” by none other than the Wall Street Journal.

In a December story, “Where You Should Move to Make the Most Money: America’s Superstar Cities,” Huntsville was ranked third.

Not too shabby.

So, how good was 2018?

Well, BAE Systems, the world’s No. 3 defense contractor announced plans to expand its operations in Cummings Research Park.

Facebook will be building a data center in the North Huntsville Industrial Park.

GE Aviation is planning a factory new100-acre factory complex where it will produce ultra-lightweight components, which can withstand

extremely high temperatures in jet propulsion engines.

And then there was the biggest ground-breaking event in recent memory.

The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant officially broke ground on its site in Limestone County, just off I-565.

The facility rests on 3,000 acres and represents a $1.6 billion investment and is predicted to employ some 4,000 people when it begins producing cars in 2020.

The area is also seeing an explosion of growth in recreation and retail projects.

Madison Town Center will be the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas minor league baseball team in 2020.

The project will also see the likes of the Margaritaville Hotel and Duluth Trading Co. as it extends along I-565 from Wall-Triana Highway to Zierdt Road.

In Huntsville, the former Madi-

son Square Mall is just a memory as MidCity Huntsville rises from the red clay.

The 100-acre mixed-use facility will feature dining, entertainment and recreation from names such as REI Co-op, Wahlburgers, High Point Climbing and Fitness.

And, in a truly Huntsville stereotype, Area 120 is a science and technology accelerator with some 200,000 square feet of space for R&D and startups.

Overall, the new business and those that are expanding will create more than 5,400 jobs with some $2.7 billion in investment.

So, with this much going on last year, we can’t wait to see what happens in 2019.

Stay tuned!

(Bud McLaughlin is editor of the Huntsville Business Journal. He can be heard at 6:30 a.m. Wednesdays on the Fred Holland Show on WTKI 105.3FM and 1450 AM.)

Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing

Publisher/President ……… Todd Stephenson Editor ………………………… Bud McLaughlin Writers………………………… Kimberly Ballard

Lori J. Connors

Wendy Reeves Graphic Design ………………… Justina Simon Website…………………………………Jim Gharib Photographers…………………… Steve Babin

Kimberly Ballard

Marianne Higgins

Jeff White Director of Sales ……… Carolyn Stephenson Distribution………………………… Victor 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 ©2018. 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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January 2019

3

GOVERNMENT

FBI to Expand Presence on Redstone Arsenal

The Federal Bureau of Investigations will have a larger presence on the arsenal.

Target Your Advertising to Reach Business Leaders in Madison County!

To advertise in Huntsville Business Journal Call 256.533.8078, Visit www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com or e-mail carolyn@eventhuntsville.com

By Bud McLaughlin

Huntsville’s moniker as “the Federal City of the South” has been further bolstered with the announcement of a planned FBI expansion.

The FBI, which has about 300 personnel stationed at Redstone Arsenal, will add another 1,350 employees, according to the agency’s senior executive at Redstone, Robert Hamilton. The personnel will come from the Washington area.

Hamilton made the announcement at the annual Redstone Update, hosted by the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber.

“The FBI is extremely excited to announce today that we are moving forward with our first large-scale operations support building,” Hamilton said. “We expect that to be ready for occupancy in early 2021. This will move approximately 1,350 personnel and contractors from the national capital region.”

Hamilton said the personnel will include special agents and intelligence analysts.

“This is not a relocation of resources but rather a transformation of mission sets to one extremely powerful campus,” Hamilton said.

Advertorial

4

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

SMALL BUSINESS

Lewter Hardware: If We Don’t Have It, You Probably Don’t Need it

By Lori J. Connors

Entering Lewter Hardware is like entering Grand Central Station at rush hour. The store is bursting at the seams with customers, the sound and energy level high.

The product assortment is beyond staggering. There’s floor-to-ceiling inventory. Merchandise covers every single wall; some of it even hangs from the ceiling.

Amidst the seemingly endless array of everything and anything, are the resident cats. An orange tabby rests indifferently atop the many boxes of Christmas lights, oblivious to the cacophony that swirls around him. A mixed calico-tabby is out and about, greeting visitors and seeking free petting opportunities. Any outstretched hand will suffice.

Lewter is Huntsville’s go-to for parts obscura.

According to Donald Lewter Sr. “We keep it if they still make it.”

And, for many locals, that means a lot. Whether it be an odd piece of hardware or a Christmas light fuse that no one carries anymore, you can pretty much bet that Lewter’s will have it.

Lewter’s late father once said, “If we don’t have it, you probably don’t need it.”

For as long as he can remember, Lewter has been working at the family hardware store, along with his father and grandfather. Back in 1928, his father bought the business and instilled the philosophy, “when a customer walks through that door, he’s a friend.”

“It’s all about the people,” Lewter said. “Five generations of customers, parents, children, grandchildren.

“I’ve been to many weddings, and funerals, too, but the people is what it’s all about.”

Hosting open-house shindigs for the December holiday season and

4th of July are two ways that Lewter’s gives back to the community. The events always feature great music lineups and are always packed to capacity.

At 87 years young and as sharp as a tack, Lewter has been at this for more than 80 years. For the past 22 years, his sons, Donnie Jr. and Mack have been running the business, with Lewter working a few hours every morning.

Lewter is still quite invested with business operations. His office walls are covered with a variety of photos of him with family, friends, and customers. Personalized customer service is evident, a rarity in this big box, selfserve era.

Lewter says that he’s lived a great life, for which he feels both grateful and lucky.

“I’m really grateful for my dad for making this business what it became,” he said. “He really made it easy for me.”

January 2019

5

SMALL BUSINESS

TAG Auto Repair: A Woman’s Impact on a Male-dominated Industry

By Lori J. Connors

For the past 30 years, Shirley McCormick has devoted her life to something she loves: Owning her own automobile repair shop while providing a high level of quality, service, and

trust to the business of fixing cars.

In 1988, Shirley and her sister sought out a business venture to sink their teeth into: “my sister was looking for something to do.”

So, they bought an automotive repair shop made it their own. In 1994, when her sister went on to “cleaner work,” and opened a gift shop, Shirley took the helm.

Businesses come, and businesses go, but longevity speaks for itself.

“It’s not about who started it, but how long we’ve been in business,” she said.

What’s remarkable about TAG (The Automotive Group) is that it has been woman-owned and operated for three decades.

In an industry where roughly 95 percent of auto repair enterprises are owned by men and nearly 98 percent of auto mechanics are male, Shirley remains light years ahead of her time.

After 30 years of owning and operating an auto repair business, McCormick said, “Nothing surprises me.”

She has pretty much seen and heard it all. From customers inaccurately self-diagnosing their vehicles, to fixing the hapless DIY disasters made by customers after watching YouTube videos.

It only LOOKS easy. She is also quick to point out that, “Most drivers don’t know their dash.”

Statistics show that more women than men bring their car in to a mechanic. It could be that most “shade

tree mechanics” are men (relying on those DIY YouTube videos for guidance, perhaps). Women are often less knowledgeable about automotive mechanics and maintenance.

This is where trust building and providing quality service at a reasonable price comes into play.

TAG Automotive is a full-service repair shop. Service Manager Lacey Nave and techs Martin Brueggeman and Andre Wasserman are ASE certified and will do what it takes to get your ride rolling down the road again.

What’s more, all repairs and services are backed by an in-house warranty.

Got a pup or two who likes to go for rides in the car? Bring ‘em.

TAG is dog-friendly and encourages their customers to tote their leashed fur babies along for the ride.

TAG will be presenting a basic auto maintenance course for women.

Topics, such as basic fluid checks and tire changing will be covered. The class will begin in March or April, so check TAG’s website at www.tagautohsv. com for information and updates.

6

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

DEVELOPMENT

Huntsville West: A Coworking Community That Just Happened to Be Used as a School for 50 Years

By Kimberly Ballard

Passions run high when neighborhood schools face retirement.

Residents and alumni get emotional reminiscing about passing notes in science class, sneaking their first kiss behind the bleachers, gossiping with friends around the lockers, and cramming for pop quizzes in the library.

Unlike an old warehouse or aging office building, most schools face an uncertain future.

Their unique layout makes gutting the building and converting it into a retail store or apartment building impractical.

As an alternative to demolition, old schools usually sell for pennies on the dollar and sit useless and abandoned for many years.

Huntsville, however, is not like most cities.

When Huntsville City Schools retired more than 700,000 square feet of school space a few years ago, Huntsville’s serial entrepreneurs used their tenaciously innovative spirit and ingenuity to find pragmatic solutions for this otherwise wasteful real estate.

Several successful projects have been born from repurposing abandoned schools.

Huntsville developer Randy Schrimsher converted the Butler High School/Stone Middle School built in 1951 into downtown Huntsville’s premier brewery and entertainment center, Campus 805.

The Huntsville Madison County Public Library Foundation (HMCPL) bought the original Virgil I. Grissom High School on Bailey Cove

“One of the ways we offer flexibility is through a variety of affordable memberships and low-cost all-inclusive monthto-month leasing options” Road and is currently repurposing it into the Sandra Moon Community Complex and new Huntsville Library.

Twenty-nineyear-old Brandon Kruse is a technological magnate.

By the age of 24, he had already built and sold a successful telecommunications company. In 2014, he used $500,000 of those proceeds to buy a shuttered

West Huntsville Elementary School on 9th Avenue.

He planned to convert it into a low overhead small business incubator he refers to as “a flophouse for entrepreneurs” called the Huntsville West Coworking Community. Almost a year later, Kruse purchased the vacant Westlawn Middle School, just down the street from West Huntsville, for $650,000 for similar repurposing.

While Westlawn is currently home to the Huntsville Achievement Academy, it is only 20 percent completed, and will have a big agenda in 2019.

Huntsville West on the other hand is proving to be very successful and, if not for the variety of memberships and leasing options available, on any given day it sits at 100 percent occupancy.

According to Community Manager Demetrius Malone, Huntsville West caters to startup technology companies, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creative professionals who have limited resources and need flexibility. Among the current tenants you will find a diverse community of software developers, Google Fiber technicians, Disney engineers, data security firms, nonprofit organizations, and mentoring and consulting services.

“One of the ways we offer flexibility is through a variety of affordable memberships and low-cost all-inclusive month-to-month leasing options,” Malone said. “Research shows that among startup businesses and entrepreneurs, there is a real fear of sustainability on a long-term office space lease. This undue stress becomes a distraction

“We have many ways for you to benefit from joining our community”

January 2019

7

DEVELOPMENT

when the focus should be on growing the business or getting a product or service to market.”

Although Huntsville West has a waiting list for the 35 or 40 redesigned “classrooms” acting as individual offices and studios along the hallways, there is much more to Huntsville West than private offices.

“We have many ways for you to benefit from joining our community,” said Malone.

In fact, a large segment of the Huntsville West Coworking Community doesn’t have private offices at all. The community’s basic membership starts at $150 and gives the member access to all the common areas, coworking lounge, conference rooms, and break rooms with vending machines and hot coffee. If someone does not have an office but needs privacy, there are comfortable nooks and corners where you can work in private, or large open areas where people can gather around a table with others to socialize and collaborate.

Office space starts at $550 a month and go up to $950 a month for a large studio. Utilities, Internet and 24/7 access are included.

One level of membership includes one of Huntsville West’s larger shared offices where two or three people can work. It isn’t quite a private

“Corporations have saved a lot of overhead by downsizing office facilities and allowing their employees to work at remote locations” office but allows you a private desk and the ability to leave your work and personal belongings overnight without having to carry them back and forth from home.

Huntsville West also offers day passes for potential members to try out the facilities; as well as a 5-day pass for $50 a month to use those five days anytime during a 30-day period. Membership comes with an app for your smartphone that tracks your time.

The concept for coworking space is less than 20 years old, but in many ways, it has saved much of the nation’s job force, said Malone.

“Corporations have saved a lot of overhead by downsizing office facilities and allowing their employees to work at remote locations,” he said. “It is also ideal for start-ups because we offer them all types of professional guidance and advice, as well as resources to give them a boost and help them step-by-step achieve their dreams.”

Sometimes coffee shops and restaurants are too loud; many places have limited Internet access; and working at home can be distracting, said Malone.

“You have none of that here,” he said. “You can grow at your own pace, and what excites me is seeing someone start out with a basic membership but in time, upgrade to a private office or go from a small office to a larger office.

“That means they are growing and accomplishing goals, which is what Brandon designed Huntsville West to do.”

Add to that an overall culture and environment that promotes collaboration, diversity, an exchange of ideas, and that has management that keeps people engaged and inspired to reach for their dreams. They offer free lunches that bring members of the community together, and provide classes and seminars on a wide variety of business topics like leadership skills; how to create a business plan; how to recognize it is time to get a business license; when to take certain steps, and when not to; even workshops to improve business skills and

find solutions to challenges.

One such upcoming program Malone calls Working Women’s Wednesday aims to show working moms how to balance a career, kids, and marriage so they do not have to wait for the kids to leave home before she can pursue her dreams.

“We work to make Huntsville West a casual, friendly environment where you do not have to whisper as if you are in a library, and yet a place where everyone is working towards something big and takes their time here seriously,” said Malone. “We have experienced business people in their 60s and 70s working on starting up a new venture, sitting and sometimes even collaborating with a 19- or 20- year-old who doesn’t have a clue about business, but knows technology like the back their hand. To see that combination come together without a hierarchy of experience that says, ‘I am here and you are there’, is just amazing.”

Kruse, who is a software engineer and allaround techie can be found hoverboarding through the halls of Huntsville West on any given day. He is very creative in addition to his technological and business savvy and has the support from his father and grandfather who are successful Huntsville real estate executives. His mother, Penny Kruse and her company, Interiors by Pennel, designed all of the contemporary interior space with its clean techie style and appealing colors.

Because West Huntsville Elementary opened in 1955, bringing its infrastructure up to technological standards that support fast Internet and Voice-over IP (VoIP) would be a problem for some, but when Google Fiber leases office space in your building, that problem is easily solved.

“We have a very creative team who works together to capitalize and get the most out of every inch of space so that it is comfortable, functional, and efficient,” said Malone. “We want Huntsville West to look like it was built as a coworking center that just happened to be used as a school for 50 years, rather than the other way around.”

8

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVER

Madison County’s Top Econom

By Kimber

A

ccording to Inc. magazine, tech companies are feeling the pressure of rising costs in large coastal cities. Businesses and residents are leaving in search of opportunities in less expensive areas.

This is great news for Huntsville which, in 2018, saw new companies planting seeds, older companies deepening their roots, infrastructure branching outward, and the quality of life flourishing as active lifestyles demand more room to grow.

Inc. writer David Brown puts Huntsville No. 2 among the Top Six “Attention-grabbing Cities for Tech Start-ups.”

“NASA’s presence is largely responsible for the Rocket City’s high rankings on the opportunity scale for engineers. The city has also executed well in forging strong public-private partnerships and promoting a thriving technology industry. Software development, electrical engineering, and computer science are top fields, contributing to the city’s 309 percent year-over-year growth in tech jobs.”

With so many sensational “gets” for Huntsville and Madison this past year, the question is whether it is sustainable?

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Chip Cherry, President & CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, answer that question.

“We have spent the past 10 years with a focused, intentional plan to grow and diversify our job base, improve quality of life, and capitalize on the rich assets in Huntsville and North Alabama,” said Battle, “We’ve put an emphasis on workforce development in our schools. Our road projects are designed to keep traffic moving long into the future. We are making Huntsville more appealing and desirable for top talent to move here through parks, music and cultural amenities, greenways and bike lanes.

“We don’t plan just for the next year. We plan for the next 10 to 20 years. For example, we created the Cyber Huntsville initiative and worked with that volunteer group to land the State Cyber and Engineering School in Huntsville. This program, along with many others in our public schools and universities, will help prepare the tech workforce we will need for the future.”

Cherry agreed that diversification is the key.

“A diversified base of businesses coupled with a strong and diversified portfolio on Redstone Arsenal are key to ensuring that we have a dynamic regional economy,” he said. “The community’s economic development wins in 2018 will impact the community for generations to come.

“The blend of new locations and expansions will provide a broad range of employment opportunities as well as providing business opportunities for local companies to grow.”

Here are the Huntsville Business Journal’s top Madison County business stories of 2018: Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Of all the big business acquisitions and developments launched in 2018, Mayor Battle said that if he had to focus on a single mayoral accomplishment in

2018, the Mazda-Toyota announcement dwarfs all others because of its impact on our economy year in, and year out.

“I’ve often said the hard work on a project comes after the announcement, and the scale of this [Mazda Toyota] project was no exception,” he said.

“It brought enormous challenges from its sheer size and scope. Clearing 1,200 acres, bringing in 7 million yards of dirt, putting a building pad in place with a solid rock foundation, building roads, and all the other challenges associated with a development many times over.

“Fortunately, we worked in partnership with the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S. team. And we are able to navigate through the challenges together and meet our deadlines. Now the building is ready to go vertical and on track to produce cars in 2021.

This plant will provide jobs for 4,000-5,000 workers, generational jobs that will impact our economy for decades to come.”

Being built by Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, the sprawling site will produce 300,000 nextgeneration Toyota Corollas and a yet-to-be-revealed Mazda crossover model annually, beginning in 2021.

Investment in the Mazda Toyota plant is being split evenly between the automakers, allowing both automakers to respond quickly to market changes and ensure sustainable growth.

“While there were a number of things that placed our community in a strong competitive position to win this project,” Cherry said. “In the end, it was the ability of our team, and our partners, to be nimble and responsive that made the difference.”

Rocket City Trash Pandas In early 2018, the City of Madison approved up to $46 million to build a baseball stadium, signaling minor league baseball’s return to the Tennessee Valley.

Highly visible from I-565 off Madison Boulevard at Zierdt Road, the ballpark will seat 5,500 baseball fans, and is part of the Town Madison project.

The team – named the Rocket City Trash Pandas in a voting contest - will officially move from Mobile to Madison after the 2019 baseball season and remain the farm team for the Los Angeles Angels.

Town Madison Town Madison development, which held several groundbreakings in 2018 after nearly 2 years of dormancy as $100 million in new road construction was built to accommodate traffic flow to and from the development.

Town Madison will include 700,000 square feet of office space; over 1 million square feet of retail space; 700 new hotel rooms; over 1,200 luxury apartments; and 300 single-family homes.

“We’re very pleased to see groundbreakings underway in the Town Madison space,” said Pam Honeycutt, executive director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce. “When complete, it will be a true destination spot, enabling families to spend the day enjoying entertainment, shopping and dining.”

Last February, Home2 Suites by Hilton was the first to announce it was breaking ground on a 97 allsuite extended-stay hotel as part of the section called West End at Town Madison. The hotel is scheduled to open early this year.

Wisconsin-based retailer Duluth Trading Co. broke ground on its 15,000-square foot store in early December. The company is Town Madison’s first retail partner and will open this year.

As part of The Exchange at Town Madison, local developer Louis Breland broke ground last April on a 274-unit luxury apartment complex called The Station at Town Madison. It is slated to open in the summer.

In late May, Breland confirmed the development of a 150-room Margaritaville Hotel adjacent to the ballpark. It is set to open in 2020.

Madison Mayor Paul Finley said, “Margaritaville is an international brand known for high-quality and fun projects. Not only will this hotel attract guests from across the region, but it will add multiple new dining and entertainment options for Madison residents.”

The Heights and The Commons at Town Madison will provide a mixture of affordable single-family and multifamily homes, townhomes, spacious luxury apartments, and condominiums around a village square. Home prices will range from $250,000 to $500,000.

MidCity Huntsville Certain to take significant shape throughout 2019, MidCity Huntsville is a dynamic 100-acre experiential mixed-use community right in the center of Huntsville. When finished, it will consist of a series of interconnected spaces and gathering places.

MidCity will feature dining, entertainment and recreation from names such as REI Co-op, Wahlburgers, Rascal Flatt’s, and High Point Climbing and Fitness.

January 2019

9

STORY

mic Development Stories of 2018

rly Ballard Already in operation is Top Golf, a sports entertainment center with climate-controlled golf-ball hitting bays, a full-service restaurant and bar, private event spaces and meeting rooms; a rooftop terrace with fire pit, hundreds of HDTVs, and free wi-fi.

The development will also offer bike and walking trails, a park, an 8,500-seat open-air amphitheater, and The Stage for outdoor music and entertainment.

Area 120 is a science and technology accelerator with some 200,000 square feet of space for R&D and startups.

The Promenade with its hardscaped space will accommodate local farmers markets and Huntsville’s growing food truck fleet. You will also find luxury apartments and a hotel.

GE Aviation Two years ago, GE Aviation announced it had almost cracked the code to mass producing the unique ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components used in jet propulsion engines, and when they did, the company would build two facilities in Huntsville to produce them.

Last May, GE Aviation announced they will open a 100-acre factory complex, destined to be the only location in the U.S. to produce these ultralightweight CMC components, which can withstand extremely high temperatures.

Investment in the project is expected to reach $200 million. GE Aviation currently employs 90 people at the Huntsville site and is expected to reach 300 at full production.

Facebook Facebook will invest $750 million into a largescale data center in Huntsville that will bring an estimated 100 high-paying jobs to the area.

The Huntsville City Council gave unanimous approval for Facebook to purchase 340 acres in the North Huntsville Industrial Park for $8.5 million.

They began construction on the 970,000-squarefoot facility in late 2018.

“We believe in preparing our community for the challenges ahead,” said Battle. “Our Gig City initiative to provide city-wide high-speed connectivity is an example of that.”

The Downtown Madison Sealy Project When the City of Madison announced that changes to the west side of Sullivan Street between Kyser Boulevard and Gin Oaks Court would pave the way for more commercial/retail space, it marked the beginning of a long-term improvement and expansion project for downtown Madison that would pick up steam in 2018.

Known as the Downtown Madison Sealy Project, it is the latest in a series of mixed-use developments about to hit downtown, extending from the east side of Sullivan Street to Short Street.

The city is making improvements to accommodate the 10,000 square-foot development which includes 190 upscale apartments and more than 10,000 square feet of retail space.

GATR Technologies In April, Huntsville-based GATR Technologies announced it would be quadrupling its production capacity in Cummings Research Park to nearly 100,000 square feet.

The inflatable portable satellite innovator was acquired by Cubic Mission Solutions in 2016 and has grown from 80 employees in 2016 to 157 in 2018.

GATR is projected to employ more than 200 people

by October 2019.

GATR will soon be delivering systems by the thousands to the U. S. government, military, and any entity that benefits from deployable communications, such as in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Electro Optic Systems In June, Electro Optic Systems announced it will build its flagship production facility at on Wall Triana Highway in Huntsville.

The Australian aerospace technology and defense company expects to hire up to 100 fulltime employees in its first year and is scaled to grow to at least 250 employees quickly.

EOS has been producing software, lasers, electronics, optronics, gimbals, telescopes, beam directors, and stabilization and precision mechanisms for the military space, missile defense, and surface warfare sectors for more than 20 years.

BAE Systems BAE Systems, the third-largest defense contractor in the world, broke ground on a $45.5 million expansion of its existing facilities in CRP in July. The growth is expected to create hundreds of jobs.

The new 83,000-square-foot facility is the first phase of a multi-phase growth plan to expand its existing offices on Discovery Drive and develop a new state-of-the-art manufacturing and office space facility in CRP to increase their capacity. An unused adjacent 20-acre lot will provide room for yet more expansion soon. Construction of the new building is expected to be complete in 2019.

Radiance Technologies Employee-owned defense contractor Radiance Technologies broke ground in July on their first

comprehensive headquarters in Huntsville.

The new 100,000 square foot building in CRP will, for the first time, allow the company’s 300 employees, all of whom have operated at remote locations in Huntsville since 1999, to collaborate under the same roof as they provide innovative technology to the Department of Defense, NASA, and national intelligence agencies.

South Memorial Parkway Expansion The short but significant widening and redesign of the main line of South Memorial Parkway caused many headaches for residents and business owners over the past 2½ years, but in late July, that stretch between Golf Road and Whitesburg Drive officially re-opened.

The $54 million project opened a gateway of uninterrupted traffic through South Huntsville, providing easier accessibility to South Huntsville businesses, schools, and residential areas.

“South Parkway being fully open is a game-changer for businesses and drivers in South Huntsville,” said Claire Aiello, vice president of Marketing and Communications at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Looking to 2019 “Our objective has been to build on the community’s traditional industries such as aerospace and defense, while creating more opportunities in the semi-skilled and skilled sectors of the economy,” said Cherry. “We excelled in all of these areas in 2018. The year will go down in the record books as among the most vibrant economic development years in our history. The companies that selected our community for their new location or expansion will create over 5,400 new jobs and invest over $2.7 billion in new buildings and equipment. These investments and jobs will have a profound impact on our quality of life for decades to come.”

“Cummings Research Park is now at 91 percent occupancy,” said Aiello. “We are making a big focus on new amenities for employees at CRP to keep them engaged and to give them things to do in the park besides work. That will be something to look forward to in 2019.”

And according to Battle, “2019 is going to be a good year. Let’s just keep it at that!”

10

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

BANKING / FINANCIAL

RFCU Goes Downtown: Bricks and Mortar, Make Way for Metal and Glass

By Lori J. Connors Redstone Federal Credit Union Groundbreaking

Just when development in downtown Huntsville couldn’t get any better, along comes more exciting news.

Or, should we say, “glowingly fantastic” news?

Slated for opening in fall 2020, Redstone Federal Credit Union’s 66,718 square foot structure on Davis Circle will appear to “glow” to motorists traveling into the city from I-565. The stunning five-story building will also feature a community room, along with a rooftop terrace.

Keeping in line with the “Live-Work-Shop-Dine” lifestyle concept, RFCU’s new branch location will be conveniently nestled in Twickenham Square, making it walking distance to an enticing array of businesses, dining establishments, and key points of interest.

The new downtown location is part of a three-fold construction endeavor, which includes a modern drive-thru teller system on North Parkway, and a flagship branch in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that’s scheduled to open next summer.

“These projects further demonstrate that Redstone is fully invested in the communities it serves and are continuing to grow with them,” said Redstone President/CEO Joe Newberry.

The new downtown branch location is a first for RFCU. “The branch’s design will be new for downtown Huntsville,” said architect Kristine Harding with KPS Group. “Many of the downtown buildings have lots of brick and look more traditional. This design of glass and metal panels gives the building a more fresh and cutting-edge look.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was Nov. 28 - a significant date in Redstone’s history.

“We couldn’t have chosen a better day [for this celebration] because it (was) also RFCU’s 67th anniversary,” Newberry said.

“It is so fitting that we take this moment to remember why Redstone was founded – and that is to help our members, their families, and our communities to reach their financial dreams. We believe that this branch complex will help us to conveniently serve many more families and take the products and services they want to them.”

The grounds of the new branch are also infused with history.

The land was once the original site of Phillips Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, home to the second oldest African-American congregation in Huntsville.

Earlier this year, when church officials decided to relocate the church, the Davis Circle property became available for sale. RFCU saw the location as ideal for meeting the growing needs of the downtown community; thus, making it a win-win venture for both parties.

Newberry said, “We will erect a historic marker on these grounds to remember this congregation’s service to its membership and to the community.”

January 2019

11

BANKING / FINANCIAL

RFCU Reaches Out to the Community with Financial Education Programming

By Lori J. Connors Today, financial education is a must for just about everyone.

And, Redstone Federal Credit Union is stepping up with a series of financial education seminars.

Based on the variety of offerings, “financial” may seem like a misnomer, but that good things – such as buying a home or launching a business or bad things – such as natural disasters - all have direct or indirect financial consequences.

“Over time, the seminar offerings have evolved, there’s more of a mix now,” said Briana Cousins, Financial Education coordinator/Communications.

“Programming focuses on four main tenets: Save, spend, borrow, plan. These areas effect overall financial fitness. We have developed our own in-house

programming to give back to the community.”

Other resources include Balance.com which RFCU uses for the “Drive Away Happy” and “Financial First Aid” seminars, providing a “canned” curriculum that can be used for some of the online financial programming, Over the past year, RFCU has developed a partnership with local small business incubator, The Catalyst Center to expand on seminar offerings.

The collaboration has a small business development focus featuring programming such as “Finding Your Target Market,” and “Developing an Elevator Pitch.”

Cousins is focusing on the next steps and beyond.

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“How can we expand outside of Madison County?” she asked. “How can we reach specific audiences, expand our market? Get the word out to the community, in general?”

Regarding one of the bigger challenges she faces, Cousins said, “There’s a massively growing segment of the population who need the messages we are providing. We are trying to find ways to reach this population that is least likely to attend seminars.

Unless you can reach them where they are, they don’t participate. So, we need to find a way to get out into the community instead of them coming to us.”

“For 2019, RFCU will keep some of the same programming. In the future, we see more partnering with the Catalyst, focusing on providing business assistance for startups and entrepreneurs.”

RFCU seminars are free and open to members and non-members. There are morning, lunchtime, late afternoon, and early evening programs. There are no sales pitches for any of the products presented. However, presenters do provide attendees with printed materials and contact information to follow up, one-to-one.

For schedule and registration info, go to: www. redfcu.org/seminars.

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

ENTREPRENEUR

Irons One: Precious Little Batches, One Great Taste

By Lori J. Connors In a small, second floor suite at Lowe Mill, there’s a highly personal, downright magical process taking place daily - the distillation of Irons One Whiskey.

Distiller Jeff Irons and his wife Vicki work together to create a preciously delightful adult beverage – one that’s meant to be savored slowly.

For over 40 years now, Irons has cultivated his love affair with whiskey, starting as a New Jersey teen crossing the state line with his buddies into New York state, because of the lower legal drinking age. Once over the border, drinks were pricey, and New York and New Jersey’s finest had a keen eye for drunken teens on the road.

Jeff Irons, Owner of Irons One Distillery

As the group’s official designated driver, Irons selected whiskey because it could be savored, as well as it being cost-efficient.

While an engineering student at Virginia Tech, Irons had his first taste of “homemade” whiskey, later followed by samples obtained from his brotherin-law’s dad, who was a physician in West Virginia. When the good doctor’s patients couldn’t pay him with cash, they paid him with home-distilled whiskey.

Despite the long romance, the NASA engineer became interested in opening his own distillery only within the past few years.

“It has been a long and difficult process and it is expensive,” he said. “Regardless, my love of whiskey and my sincere desire to be able to offer a superior bourbon and bourbon mash whiskey to my friends and to our community will be well-worth all of the effort.”

Irons’ business model is to remain small and personally involved in the distillation process.

“I love making whiskey,” he said. “From mashing to fermenting, to distilling, to aging and bottling – I love this process. The only way I know how to make the best whiskey is to be totally involved in every step of the process.

“I can only do that if I stay small enough in size to manage each step.”

The love, patience, and commitment are evident in the final product.

Irons One was recently judged as the double-gold winner by “The Fifty Best” in the category of bourbon whiskey, which is quite an honor.

In the selection, strict tasting rules are applied to the “blind” tasting of 46 bourbon whiskeys; all ranked by members of “The Fifty Best” spirits judging panel. Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are also awarded, based on the final point scores received from the judges.

“Irons One is the small batch, single-hand crafted whiskey for those who savor a rich, smooth flavor –served neat, with a little water or over ice,” Irons said. “This is truly a whiskey from my hands to yours.”

For more information, visit www.ironsone.com or email ironsonewhiskey@ gmail.com.

January 2019

13

ENTREPRENEUR

Redline Steel Offers Home Décor Made in the USA

By Wendy Reeves

company. His enTANNER -trepreneurial Colin Wayne is spirit and market putting “Made in research lead him the USA” decor to start Redline back in American Steel. homes.

“I saw an opThe Huntsville portunity and native and Army went after it,” veteran started Wayne said. “We Redline Steel three have 55 employyears ago in a 5,000 ees now and I’m square-foot space. expecting to see us Since then, the opColin Wayne, CEO Redline Steel grow to full capacieration moved into ty within five years its third location in late 2018 when Redline started with more than 200 employees.”

Wayne, at age 29, has a history of manufacturing its metal home decor in a brand new 110,000 square-foot taking opportunities and transformbuilding in Tanner. Redline now em- ing them into success.

At 17, he went into the Army ploys 55 people.

“Redline is still just setting its instead of going to college, serving foundation and building blocks,” in Egypt and Iraq. That’s where he Wayne said. “The vision is not end- began focusing on bodybuilding. ing with just steel. We will get into He became a civilian employee for wood and canvas — anything that’s the Department of Defense in Afhome decor we’re going to do it and ghanistan, where he got wounded by bring manufacturing back to Ameri- shrapnel from a rocket blast.

When he got home, Wayne conca instead of outsourcing it.”

His goal, he said, is for Redline tinued his focus on bodybuilding Steel to be a billion dollar business and became a fitness model and social media star. He’s got millions of within seven years followers on Facebook, Instagram, Why steel home decor?

Wayne said he purchased a Twitter, and has his own show, custom piece he loved. Then he be- “Wayne’s World,” on YouTube. came a digital consultant for the Among his successes, Wayne’s built and sold a supplement company, been a social media influencer, then digital consultant. His idea to use social media to launch Redline Steel has worked out as planned.

The company direct

ships to the customer.

Using linear lasers and infrared conveyor lines, along with other machinery, with steel purchased from Nucor in Decatur, the company is producing a popular line of steel home decor, with its “Tree of Life”, infinity signs and distressed battle flag being consistent favorites.

“The intent is also to franchise the business,” he said.

Last June, Redline Steel opened its first brick and mortar store at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville. Wayne said it is the only privately owned retail store at the shopping center.

“The feedback from customers is that they love that it’s sourced and made locally versus having been outsourced from China,” Wayne said.

“They love the quality of products made right here.”

Since Huntsville is home, he says he never explored options outside of North Alabama as a place to start his business, although Tennessee has been trying to lure him there.

“There is no plan on moving any time in the near future,” he said.

Wayne said when he decided to open Redline Steel, he knew it would be successful.

“It’s been an eye-opener on how fast things are growing and scaling, that part has been surprising,” he said.

About 99 percent of the employees are local, but he recruited workers from outside the state to move to Madison County.

His marketing manager, Austin Arguello, moved from California to

work with Wayne.

“I’ve been a digital marketer for five years and I’ve been following Colin for the past four years throughout his fitness and entrepreneur journey,” Arguello said. “As a digital marketer, you are always looking for ways to push past boundaries and find the right opportunity. I have worked with some amazing people in the past that have helped me become the individual I am today but when Colin put out the message for a social media manager I took the opportunity and ran with it.”

Arguello said he moved to Huntsville to take what he feels was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“This is a company that is breaking boundaries and exceeding all marks in the home decor space but, more importantly, I get to work with a truly remarkable individual where I can learn and fast track my personal and professional growth,” he said.

Wayne said there’s one key word that pops into his head anytime he hears someone talk about starting a business and it’s simple: “Execute.

People want to wait for the right time or try to plan things out and build the perfect business plan but the reality is that with a business things are always changing and evolving so just get started. Execute.”

That’s what he does.

14

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

RETAIL

A Landmark Groundbreaking for Madison, Duluth Trading Co.

By Bud McLaughlin

MADISON – It was a “less than perfect weather day but a perfect day for a groundbreaking.”

With those remarks, Madison Chamber of Commerce Board President Carmelita Palmer opened a landmark groundbreaking ceremony last month.

The Duluth Trading Co., an innovative ap-

parel noted for its unique style of TV commercials – the store even has a link to commercials on its website (https://www. duluthtrading.com/TV+Ads.html) - will open a 15,000-square-foot retail store in the city’s Town Madison development.

“We are so excited,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley. “To have Duluth come here … When people heard Duluth Trading was coming here, there was so much excitement.”

The store, Duluth Trading’s first in the state, will join Home2 Suites Hilton, convenience store Twice Daily and other offices and retailers in West End at Town Madison, which adjoins the Intergraph/Hexagon campus along Interstate 565. Duluth Trading is slated to open around the middle of next year.

“This is an exciting day for Town Madison,” said Joey Ceci, representing developer Louis Breland.

“You couldn’t pick a better retailer” to join the

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project’s lineup.

Town Madison is a 563-acre modern, walkable, urban community which will also be the home of the minor league baseball Rocket City Trash Pandas and a Margaritaville Hotel.

Minnesota-based Oppidan Investment Co., a national property development firm, is the project developer.

Like everyone else at the ceremony, the 40-degree, rainy weather was on the mind of Oppidan’s Jay Moore – but in a different way.

“This is nice weather; it’s a switch for us,” he said.

Moore said Duluth was looking around the area for its first Alabama retail store before deciding on Madison.

“We approached Breland about a year ago,” he said. “We are super proud to be one of the first retailers in this fine development.”

Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong said the store will enable the development to become an economic engine and a destination.

“This is the start of a destination location,” he said. “To Duluth, this is a great investment. You’ll never regret it.”

Despite the grey skies and gloomy weather, Finley reflected the optimism of the big event and the future it beckons.

“This is a sun shiny day for the city of Madison.”

January 2019

15

Business Briefcase Adtran Named Top Source for 10G Fiber Technology Huntsville-based Adtran, the leading provider of next-generation open networking solutions, has been named the top source in all categories for delivering the next-generation technology, products, services and solutions needed to help network operators build their best 10G fiber access networks.

The survey was conducted by Broadbandtrends. According to its “Global Service Provider Survey: 2018 10G PON Deployment Strategies & Vendor Leadership” report, 79 percent of carriers worldwide plan to deploy 10G PON by 2020.

Additional data from IHS Markit reinforces this services trend by highlighting that 10G PON presents the highest growth engine for the broadband access equipment market over the next four years.

“10G PON is the next wave that network operators worldwide will ride as they look to meet and exceed the needs of business and residential customers eager for higher-speed services,” said Ryan McCowan, Adtran’s director of portfolio management.

“10G PON provides the infrastructure our customers will leverage as they look to deploy high-value business services along with multi-gigabit residential services, prepare for 5G applications and increase the overall ROI of broadband service delivery.”

Broadbandtrends’ “Global Service Provider Survey” analyzed the results from interviews with incumbent and competitive operators in all major regions, representing a significant market presence within their regions.

According to the survey, Adtran’s 10G PON leads the market in product performance; deployment experience; product roadmap and innovation; pricing; and service and support.

rison & Barnes.

The existing BMSS location in Huntsville will relocate to HAGB’s office at 400 Meridian Street. Once the merger is complete, the combined entity will have 29 partners, 94 CPAs and approximately 225 employees.

The two firms will consolidate under the name BMSS, LLC. “We have spent a great deal of time with Hall Albright’s leadership over the past year,” said BMSS Managing Member Don Murphy. “Through our time together, we have come to see how we both reflect and complement our respective firm’s cultures and values. Our combined forces will take BMSS to a new level that will continue to grow and expand just as the Huntsville metro area is growing and expanding.”

BMSS ranked 12th on Accounting Today’s 2018 Regional Leaders list for the Top Firms in the Gulf Coast region with an expected $25 million in annual revenue by the end of 2018.

“We share similar cultures, we share similar beliefs and we share similar core values.” said HAGB Shareholder Scott Garrison. “Bringing our two firms together just makes sense.”

Hall Albright Garrison & Barnes is a full-service public accounting firm whose team of CPAs and consultants have served the North Alabama area for over 30 years. The firm was formed in 2009 through a merger of House and Albright and Hall and Garrison. With the addition of Greg Barnes in 2016, they became Hall Albright Garrison & Barnes.

“For many years, we have witnessed, admired and respected how BMSS has taken care of its people and its clients throughout the state,” said HAGB Shareholder Jon Hall.

“Their culture and primary mission closely mirror ours. The skill sets of both firms are complementary to one another. It just seemed to make sense to bring the two firms together.”

Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith Joins with Hall Albright Garrison & Barnes

LSINC Awarded MDA Human Resources Contract

The CPS firm of Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith is merging with Huntsville-based Hall Albright Gar-

LSINC has been awarded a Technical, Engineering, Advisory, and Management Support Human

Resources contract by the Missile Defense Agency.

Under the contract, LSINC, a Huntsville-based Woman-Owned Small Business, will support MDA with human resources activities in the execution of human resources operations; human capital data; military personnel planning and support; recruitment and staffing; training and curriculum development; science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach; equal opportunity; and total force management.

The cost-plus fixed-fee TEAMS HR contract has a five-year period of performance, including options, at a value of $38.9 million. LSINC will provide staff for this contract in Huntsville; Fort Belvoir, Va.; and Colorado Springs. LSINC is joined in this effort by subcontractors Deloitte Consulting and Canvas.

“We are pleased to continue to serve our MDA customer under the HR contract,” said LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan. “We have been providing MDA with counterintelligence and security and program protection support and are excited to help the agency identify and hire expertise in support of the warfighter and our nation’s critical defense programs.”

Anglin Reichmann Armstrong Among Best Small Firms Anglin Reichmann Armstrong has been named among the 2018 Best Small Firms to Work For by national publication Accounting Today. The publication is a leading information resource for public accountants and each year selects the Best Accounting Firms to Work For in three categories: Small, Midsized and Large. The small firm category is comprised of firms with 15-49 employees.

According to Accounting Today, the annual survey and recognition is conducted in partnership with Best Companies Group, and is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession.

“This is an incredible honor to be recognized among the best places to

work,” said Managing Partner Gary Anglin. “We value every member of the team and strive to make this a great place to work for each and every one of them. Even as we grow, we try to maintain that small firm feel in how we treat our most important asset – our people.”

Formed in 1990, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong is the largest, locally owned public accounting and business advisory firm in Huntsville.

With its newest office in Pensacola, Anglin serves clients throughout the Southeast and nationally.

Twin Peaks to Open ‘Sports Lodge’ in Huntsville Twin Peaks, a “sports lodge” known for its made-from-scratch menu and ice-cold, 29-degree beer is coming to Huntsville.

When the restaurant opens around the last weekend of January at 5901 University Drive – the former Romani’s Macaroni Grill location, it will feature 61 high-definition flat screen TVs and 32 beers on tap and two full bars. The indoor bar has 30 seats surrounded by wall-to-wall TVs. The outdoor bar sits on 1,103 square feet of open-air patio space, complete with 28 seats, a covered drink rail and a 6-seat firepit. It’s the perfect atmosphere to enjoy 29-degree drafts and hand-crafted cocktails.

Twin Peaks will employ 125 people for positions including 85 Twin Peaks Girls, cooks with scratch-cooking experience, bussers, bar-backs, dishwashers and janitors. The hiring team is at the restaurant recruiting daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit twinpeaksrestaurant.com “We are excited to bring the Twin Peaks brand to Huntsville,” said Coby Brooks, CEO of La Cima Restaurants, LLC. “We’re confident the hearty, scratch-made food, ice-cold beer and mountain lodge vibe will be welcomed with open arms by the community. We also look forward to building a stand-out team of outgoing, customer-service-oriented individuals to bring the Twin Peaks experience to life.”

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

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