By Kimberly Ballard

Breeze Airways Arrival a Sign of Strong Economic Growth

Get off your couches and pack your bags because nonstop flying from Huntsville is a "Breeze."

Breeze Airways, that is.

The carrier features a “Low Fare, High Flex” program with nonstop flights to Tampa, New Orleans and Charleston, S.C.

In fact, Huntsville is one of 16 airports in which Breeze chose to launch its new “Seriously Nice” airline, bypassing hubs such as Atlanta and Nashville with point-to-point flights to and from smaller secondary airports, resulting in shorter travel times.

“We are excited about the new service and expect our community will respond to the new ‘Seriously Nice’ and ultra-low fare air service by taking advantage of the flexibility offered by flying and supporting Breeze Airways,” said Port of Huntsville CEO Rick Tucker.

According to the International Air Transport Association, one of the many hits airlines took due to COVID-19 in 2020, was a significant loss in citypair connectivity, falling 33% when compared to the same time in 2019. It has been suggested that restoring air transport connectivity will be critical to the industry's economic recovery.

Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman is taking on the connectivity issue with a business model that he began before the pandemic. He said it is designed to stimulate travel and "get people off their couches" so they can go see and do things without having to drive to Nashville to catch an affordable flight.

“We saw this trend in airline costs that were forcing cities like Huntsville to fly into hubs like Atlanta, in order to go anywhere,” said Neeleman. “We saw an opportunity where we could offer service using a plane that had low capital costs, which translates to low trip costs, and with these low trip costs, then we could go into markets and offer a much lower fare.

“But, more importantly, we saw a market where people could fly to New Orleans, Tampa, or Charleston, which are all desirable destinations for people living in northern Alabama, and get there in an hour and ten minutes, rather than driving for 10 hours.”

Neeleman, who is also the founder of JetBlue, and his wife Eva Applegate Neeleman, an "Army brat" who grew up in Huntsville, chose Huntsville as a launch point for Breeze Airways while here on a family visit several months ago.

“What impressed me about Huntsville is how much economic vitality there is here with all the growth,” Neeleman said. “If Huntsville supports us with weekend trips to great places like New Orleans, Charleston, and Tampa, we will add more services and more destinations.”

Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman

Undoubtedly, 2020 will go down in history as the worst year in history for airlines with a net loss of $118 billion in 2020, with those losses continuing into 2021. As a result, many airlines are facing pressure to reduce operating costs, but again - Neeleman only saw opportunities.

“If you start with a clean white sheet of paper and say 'OK, what can we do to keep our costs low?", we can use technology to start from scratch,” said Neeleman. “Because of COVID, the price of airplanes dropped a lot in value, so we were able to pick up a bunch of planes for a really low price; and we were able to get parts and spare engines … that helped a lot.

“We have a really smart team of people creating a market with a plane that has lower trip costs but still has a low seat cost, so we can offer low fares for that market. It’s just a different way of attacking the market.”

And Huntsville is one of its beneficiaries.

“There is a ton of pent-up demand and a lot of people who want to get out and see things,” said Neeleman. “They are tired of being stuck in their homes and thank goodness for these vaccines, people can feel more comfortable about doing so."

In talking about the airline industry overall, Neeleman said the airline business still faces challenges in getting going again.

“Once you shut that monster down, there are service issues to be dealt with; and labor issues, which is really tough …. and a lot of the airlines rely on contracted labor for fueling and other services at airports," he said. "When you walk through airports all over the country today, a lot of the restaurants are closed down because they can’t hire anyone to work them.”

And then, he said, there is the retraining of pilots.

“I saw a statistic the other day that said 5,400 pilots took early retirement when COVID hit,” he said. “The airlines were prepared for COVID to go on for years, and that may be true for business travel, but they have been able to stimulate travel in other areas.

“Now you have three or four aircraft types and pilots working on a

By Kimberly Ballard / Photos by Steve Babin

seniority basis. Someone retires from one fleet, and someone else must come over from another fleet. They must be retrained, so it can be a very difficult logistical challenge just to restart everything. When you have had a lot of early retirement, it causes a shift in the workforce.”

Meanwhile, Breeze's arrival in the Rocket City is a sign of a strong economy for the area, Mayor Tommy Battle said. "Huntsville’s dramatic growth and recurring designation as one of the best places to live in the country positions us to attract more residents and visitors,” he said. “With this exciting investment from Breeze Airways, we can expand our airline capacity to reach even more destinations.”

Huntsville International's economic impact extends beyond the city and county lines. In fact, Breeze Airways is expected to make a significant economic impact on the airport’s 18-county service area.

“The announcement of Breeze Airways is an economic development announcement as important as any other because transportation is the key to economic growth and prosperity,” said Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority Chairman Mark McDaniel. "Our airport is the connection to other areas of the country and business opportunities found in those areas.” u

Port of Huntsville CEO Rick Tucker

Outdoors Educational Exploration at the Little Mountain Forest School

By Lori J. Connors / Photo by Steve Babin

Now more than ever, kids need to get outside and enjoy nature!

Studies have shown that the glowing sirens of the computer screen and mobile devices can have negative consequences on developing young bodies and minds.

The remote learning situation of 2020 magnified an already sedentary lifestyle for many. Time spent endlessly gazing at electronic devices is associated with lessened cognitive functioning and decreased academic performance.

Time spent outdoors and in nature is extremely important for the developing brain. For this reason, two local mompreneurs created the Little Mountain Forest School, a pre-school where nature serves as the classroom.

Sarah Callaway, mother of two and former program manager with the Corps of Engineers, and Beth Barry, a nurse practitioner with a 3 ½-year-old son, began their venture last December.

The seed was planted when Callaway and her family lived in Australia. During their 18 months there, her son Max participated in the Australian Bush School program.

Bush schools focus on children learning through outdoor exploration and have their origins in the Forest schools of Europe. In these naturebased schools, trained practitioners nurture learner-led exploration and discovery.

Callaway was so enamored by the concept, she talked with Barry about starting a pre-school of their own, based on the same principles. She was determined and recounted how Barry once replied, “We’re either going to do this or we’re going to stop talking about it.”

And so, they did.

By the end of 2020, the women were ready for business, securing a contract with the State Parks System and partnering with the Huntsville Land Trust. The first group began in April and quickly filled up.

The pandemic has been an unexpected asset, of sorts. During its peak, many were already discovering – or rediscovering the benefits of nature and the great outdoors.

“We have been very fortunate because of timing,” said Barry. “Once we decided to do it, it’s gone very quickly.”

The Little Mountain Forest School gets its inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy of “follow the child,” valuing the child as central to their own learning, not just an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge.

“It’s to empower children to self-regulate, to listen to their guts, to evaluate what the risks are regarding an activity, and make their

Pictured L to R: Co-founder Sarah Callaway, Emily Alman, and co-founder Beth Barry

“It’s to empower children to self-regulate, to listen to their guts, to evaluate what the risks are regarding an activity, and make their own choices”

“Valuing the child as a whole person and giving them the space to do things for themselves because they are capable. They don’t have to figure it out for themselves.”

own choices,” said Emily Alman, lead educator.

“We do it in a way they get to explore, with childled activities that are interest led-and developmentally appropriate,” said Barry. “Valuing the child as a whole person and giving them the space to do things for themselves because they are capable. They don’t have to figure it out for themselves.”

When it came to embarking on their entrepreneurial journey, Callaway and Barry sought out The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship for much-needed business coaching. Through mentoring and workshops, the women learned the nuts and bolts of budgeting, marketing, and human resources – the very things needed for launching a small business endeavor.

“We couldn’t be where we are without the Catalyst,” said Barry. “They have been absolutely invaluable.”

Along with offering play groups for ages 3 and under and pre-school classes, the pair hope to eventually expand their programming up to the 5th grade, along with offering homeschool enrichment activities.

“We can significantly impact more children,” said Callaway. “They can take it in little bits, take it at their pace and at their level.”

For more info: https://www. littlemountainforestschool.org/. u

Tenant Lineup Continues to Grow at the Market at Hays Farm

In the Southeast, Publix is one of the most popular supermarket chains and where shopping is a pleasure. In fact, Branch Properties is banking on it for their Market at Hays Farm development.

The project broke ground last year and, once complete, it will pack a wallop in offering premier shopping and dining options to the South Huntsville community. The 111,233-square-foot center is close to fully leased, featuring a wide assortment of dining options, retailers, and service providers.

“As far as leasing goes, it’s been exceptional, there’s been no shortage of tenants,” said Brett Horowitz, Head of Asset Management at Branch Properties. “According to the site plan, it looks as though we are almost 100 percent leased. Whether it’s an actual signed lease, or in a letter of intent and going to lease, or in lease negotiation, I’m looking at a plan that shows maybe one or two spaces that are still unaccounted for right now.”

To sweeten the deal, Branch has attracted two top southeastern restaurant concepts to the Market. Bookended on the north end by Amerigo, a Nashville-based Italian restaurant and Tom Brown’s on the south end, Hays Farm promises an enticing variety of dining and shopping.

Amerigo selected Hays Farm as the location for its first new restaurant in more than 20 years and it will occupy a 7,573-square-foot space. Tom Brown’s will be opening “According to the site plan, it looks as though we are almost 100 percent leased. Whether it’s an actual signed lease, or in a letter of intent and going to lease, or in lease negotiation, I’m looking at a plan that shows maybe one or two spaces that are still unaccounted for right now.”

“I think we have a really exciting array of tenants”

its second north Alabama location, this in a 6,063-square-foot space.

In addition to Amerigo and Tom Brown's, Wingstop and a sushi restaurant soon will join the lineup. Service tenants will include a 3,300-square-foot Premier Urgent Care, 3,000-square-foot Eye Care Associates and 2,765-square-foot nail salon Grand Nail Lounge.

“I can’t say enough about this project,” said Horowitz. “We’re thrilled with where this project is today. We’re in construction, buildings are going vertical, and we’re on track with our original schedule. We should be delivering to Publix in October, and they usually open around 30 days after we deliver possession.

“So, they’ll be open prior to Thanksgiving and that’s a big deal for them.”

Construction is slated to be completed this fall, with spaces being turned over to the tenants in September. As far as construction, supplies, and schedule, everything has gone as well as it can possibly go, despite COVID-induced supply chain issues, the developer said.

Progress is brisk as the lone tenant Staples gets a new façade and the insulation goes up throughout the shopping plaza. Staples has remained open throughout the entire process and will continue to do so - the Haysland location just happens to be one of the highest volume stores in the region.

As the backhoes traverse the large parking lot, criss-crossing the asphalt with clumps of red clay, the Market at Hays Farm is a work in progress.

“I think we have a really exciting array of tenants,” said Horowitz. “The fact that we’ve signed two major restaurants in a post-pandemic world, I think says it says a couple of things. One, I think it says a lot of Huntsville, in that these restaurants feel like that the market could utilize another large footprint full-service restaurant. Two, it speaks of the project itself. You don’t typically get such high-end tenants like an Amerigo or a Tom Brown style restaurant to come into a groceryanchored shopping center.

“To get that type of caliber tenant, speaks volumes of Huntsville and of the market, so we’re thrilled.” u

By Lori J. Connors