HBJ April 2024

COVER STORY

TOURISM

Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau Celebrates 20 Years with Grand Reopening

On the morning of March 19, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) held a grand reopening and 20th anniversary celebration of the Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center.

By Sarah Zupko - Page 5

REAL ESTATE

Monthly Statistics Report Shows Increased Sales for Madison County

Inventory continues to rise, with 1755 units on the market in February, up from 1405 the previous year. Months’ supply of inventory rose 24% for single-family units and 46.5% for townhouse/condo units.

By Marie Johnson - Page 16

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• Small Business Spotlight: Talking North Alabama’s Restaurant Industry with Main Street Cafe

By Heather Price • Page 7

• Hundreds of Local Businesses Shine with Best Place for Working Parents Designation

By Sarah Zupko • Page 8

• From Executive Order to Mayor’s Task Force, Huntsville is Pushing Ahead on AI

By Carl Holden • Page 10

• Huntsville’s First Major Music Festival to Launch in September

By Gus Wintzell • Page 18

A Conversation with Karen and David Smith of Royal Funeral Home

Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the Huntsville Business Journal website.

For over a century, Royal Funeral Home has been a pillar of support for grieving families, particularly in the black community. Through four generations, the owners have dedicated themselves to providing the utmost care and compassion to those experiencing the loss of a loved one, and at a time when equitable access to services was not available for black citizens.

The business came into the family of current owners Karen and David Smith in 1940 when Karen’s grandfather, Lawrence Hundley, acquired it after the passing of the original founder, Charles King Binford. In 1969, Karen’s father, James A. Jones, bought the business from her grandparents, and in 2000, the Smiths purchased it from her father, ensuring its legacy and commitment to

serving their community continued.

Karen and David Smith recently sat down with the Huntsville Business Journal to share the joys and challenges of operating one of the oldest funeral homes in Alabama.

How did it come about that you joined the family business?

I was working in Atlanta when I went to Gupton-Jones Mortuary College. I decided I’m just going to run to Alabama, do my two year apprenticeship and then I’ll go back to Huntsville when daddy is 100. But I found myself enjoying learning from my father, and I started thinking, I really have to take advantage of learning as much as I can. He was my father, but he was a mentor in this business to me.

What do you enjoy most about being a business owner?

If you own a business, you have to understand that, you have to be responsible for everything. … I think most people don’t realize it’s a huge sacrifice of

your own personal time particularly in a business like this. You have to enjoy being committed and being dedicated.

How do you balance personal and professional life?

It’s hard to balance personal and professional in this business because we still answer our telephones 24 hours a day personally. In this industry, at least for us, you have to blend it together. Now we could have an answering service, but I’m kind of very much like my father. I’ve called too many services and the funeral homes are calling me back three or four days later. I don’t want that. That’s one thing I don’t want families to have to go through.

Describe the Royal brand and the

significance of that to your business. What really set my father apart is everyone got a royal service, whether you lived in Councill Court or whether you lived in South Huntsville or whether you lived in North Huntsville, whether you were doctor such and such from Oakwood, or whether you were the janitor at Calvary Hill, they knew that they would be treated the same and the service wasn’t based on what you paid. w

By: Heather Price /

Photo courtesy of Karen Smith

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Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau Celebrates 20 Years with Grand Reopening

On the morning of March 19, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) held a grand reopening and 20th anniversary celebration of the Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center has been operating out of temporary office space for the past seven months while upgrades were being carried out at their Church Street location.

“The Visitor Center is the springboard to telling our story,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This is how we sell our community, and we sell it very well.”

Brenda Martin, Chair of the CVB Board of Directors, stood in the light-filled atrium of the Visitor Center on Tuesday and welcomed those gathered.

“Welcome to your remodeled and renovated Visitor Center,” said Martin. “The Visitor Center first opened to the public in March 2004, so this is also the 20th anniversary celebration.”

Martin discussed the growth that Huntsville has witnessed in the in-

tervening years. Madison County currently has more than 8,000 hotel rooms, Martin explained, while 1,000 more hotel rooms are currently in the works.

Huntsville is now the largest city in the state of Alabama. Members of the CVB and local representatives hope that the refreshed Visitor Center will more fully reflect the trajectory of the community.

“The Visitor Center is the springboard to telling our story,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This is how we

sell our community, and we sell it very well.”

Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon expressed that the Visitors Center is like the “front door” of the community.

“Come on in, be at home, let us share with you who we are and what we have,” said McCutcheon.

The improvements to the Visitors Center include upgraded and expanded office space, new lighting fixtures, fresh paint, and updated digital offerings.

By: Sarah Zupko / Photos by Sarah Zupko

“We just know that we’re the first face they see, and we always want to be hospitable and welcoming.”

Two modernized elements in the lobby include a digital wall, as well as an interactive kiosk for visitors who prefer a self-service option.

Jennifer Moore, president and CEO of the CVB, told the Huntsville Business Journal that she was “ecstatic” that the reopening of the Visitors Center coincided perfectly with the milestone anniversary. Moore is ready to welcome visitors to Huntsville into the revitalized space.

“We never know if a visitor is going to be a retiree looking for a permanent location or an investor looking to open a business,” said Moore to the Business Journal. “We just know that we’re the first face they see, and we always want to be hospitable and welcoming.”

The Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center is located at 500 Church Street. They are open Monday – Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.

The Visitor Center can be found on Instagram at visithuntsvilleal. w

GE Aerospace to Invest More Than $16 Million to Boost Local Manufacturing and Workforce Size

GE Aerospace has unveiled plans for a massive investment of $650 million into its manufacturing facilities and supply chain this year, which includes a $16.8 million investment at its Huntsville site. The initiative aims to ramp up production capabilities and enhance quality standards, thereby fortifying its support for both commercial and defense customers.

In Huntsville, the investment will go towards machines for production of narrowbody and widebody aircraft engines, quality testing equipment and upgrades for the facility.

H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, emphasized the significance of these investments as GE Aerospace prepares to transition into a standalone entity.

“As GE Aerospace prepares to become a standalone company this spring, we are making significant investments in the future of flight and in the dozens of communities and supplier partners helping us build it,” said Culp. “These investments are part of the next chapter for GE Aerospace, supporting cutting-edge equipment and safety enhancements that will help us meet our customers’ growing needs.”

The investment blueprint for 2024 allocates nearly $450 million towards enhancing infrastructure, acquiring new machinery, upgrading inspection equipment, and implementing safety enhancements across 22 GE Aerospace facilities spread across 14 states. Additionally, $100 million will be directed towards bolstering U.S.-based supplier partners.

Some other key highlights of the investment plan

include:

• $54 million slated for the Auburn, Ala., site to bolster additive manufacturing capabilities, aiding in the production of military rotorcraft engine components and commercial aircraft engines.

• $30 million earmarked for the Lynn, Mass., site to enhance engine assembly and testing facilities supporting military

helicopter and fighter jet engine production.

• $46 million allocated to four North Carolina facilities to meet escalating demand for commercial engines, focusing on critical components, assembly capacity, quality inspection, and machinery.

• $107 million designated for facilities in the greater Cincinnati region, aimed at

expanding production capacity for engines used in commercial aircraft and military applications.

Furthermore, $100 million will be dedicated to enhancing the U.S. supply chain, ensuring the sustained growth of suppliers critical for providing materials and components for GE Aerospace’s engines.

In addition to the domestic investments, approximately $100 million will be injected into international sites in North America, Europe, and India to support global operations.

“This is an investment in the future of manufacturing, ensuring we can continue producing highquality, cutting-edge engines and services while meeting customer demand,” said Mike Kauffman, GE Aerospace Supply Chain Vice President.

Kauffman emphasized the role of collaborative efforts within the organization, including the FLIGHT DECK lean operating model, in driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and costs.

Alongside the investment announcement, GE Aerospace is actively recruiting over 1,000 employees for various positions across its U.S. factories. w

By: Gus Wintzell / Photos by GE Aerospace

Small Business Spotlight: Talking North Alabama’s Restaurant Industry with Main Street Cafe

A career as a restaurateur isn’t exactly what Tammy Hall had planned for herself. She pursued a career in kinesiology and health. But life takes you where it takes you, Hall mentioned. Now, she and her husband, John Hall, have owned and operated not one, not two, but three restaurants.

“If you had told me when I was 20 years old that one day I would own restaurants, I would say. ‘Are you kidding me?’ But life takes you different paths, and I feel very fortunate,” Tammy said.

It all started with The Ranch House Diner in Columbus, Miss. Tammy said it was John’s idea to buy the restaurant. But being “owner” soon turned into “owner-operator” and Tammy ran the business.

When the Halls moved to Huntsville for John’s job, they had to leave The Ranch House Diner behind.

But it wasn’t long before the Halls found a new restaurant opportunity - or rather a new opportunity found them. While eating lunch one day at the Main Street Cafe in historic downtown Madison, John Hall heard that owner Cindy Sensenberger was looking for a new owner. Sensenberger opened the restaurant in 2000 in the former Madison City Hall building and ran it for 18 years.

“It was her baby and it was very hard for her to sell it and walk away from it,” Tammy said. “It was important that whoever came behind her

did not change it. It has a very good customer base and good menu. I just wanted to come in and run it.”

Which is exactly what the Halls have done. The menu includes many traditional Southern comfort foods like chicken poppyseed casserole, cheesy meatloaf, and the most popular lunchtime choice - Poulet de Normandie, a New Orleans-inspired dish featuring chicken and cornbread stuffing, topped with mushroom sauce and cheese.

One change, however, is that Main Street Cafe is open for dinner. It was previously lunch only. The unique dinner menu is rich with Southern favorites, from surf to turf to yard bird. One of the most popular dinnertime meals Tammy said is the New

By: Heather Price / Photos courtesy of Tammy Hall of Main Street Cafe

Orleans Seafood, a blackened red snapper with andouille cream sauce and blackened shrimp over red beans and rice. They also serve Low Country Shrimp & Grits.

In June 2023, the cafe experienced a small fire. The restaurant had only minor damage, but was closed seven weeks for clean up.

“The fire wasn’t bad,” Tammy said. “It didn’t hurt our kitchen or dining room. It could’ve been so much worse.”

This was great news for the restaurant and the community, as the building has historical significance, built in the mid-1950s as Madison City Hall, with the old jail cells still there and used as private dining spaces.

In January 2023, another restaurant opportunity presented itself. Tammy learned that the historic Lanier House, just a block away from Main Street Cafe, was available after having been used previously as a pilates studio.

“I looked at the layout and I thought there could be nothing better than to put a tea room here,” recalled Tammy, who described herself as a tea room connoisseur.

So in January of

last year she opened the Lanier House Tea Room. Each month, Tammy, her 22-year-old daughter Raegan and two ladies with many years of experience cooking, baking and “making food look pretty,” crafted a new menu, offering guests unique flavors in three courses, each with their own accompanying tea.

The aesthetics of the food, the tea and the atmosphere are a big part of what makes the Lanier House Tea Room so special. Guests are transported to a different place and time by the elegance and charm of fresh florals, ornate settees, linen, lace, and plush cushions. The experience is quite photo-worthy, including a selection of fancy tea room hats as photo props.

“People come to eat,” Tammy said, “but they truly come because they want to have unique dining experiences.”

The tea room has quickly become a favorite venue also for private events, especially bridal teas and baby showers, with its charming ambiance and exquisite menu.

“We’ve had an incredible response from Huntsville, Madison, Athens, even from as far as Birmingham, to do tea with us, and we just love it!”

Visit Lanier House Tea Room & Private Venue at 20 Martin Street in historic downtown Madison. Reservations are required.

Visit Main Street Cafe at 101 Main Street for lunch Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or for dinner Wednesday - Thursday 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. or Friday - Saturday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. w

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Hundreds of Local Businesses Shine with Best Place for Working Parents Designation

The Best Place for Working Parents® (BP4WP) is a growing national network of business leaders who are showing that family-friendly policies are business-friendly policies.

The organization, which can be found in ten U.S. states, established a partnership with the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber Foundation in June 2022.

As of February 2024, 100 Huntsville-area businesses have earned this year’s Best Place for Working Parents designation.

Companies complete a free, online self-assessment to determine if they qualify for the title. The assessment is based on ten research-backed metrics that have been shown to be mutually beneficial to both working parents and to the businesses where they are employed.

Lucy Hart, a public relations representative for BP4WP, explained to the Huntsville Business Journal how the online evaluation works.

“Our proprietary technology analyzes the data from the self-assessments to instantly determine whether businesses qualify for the designation,” said Hart. “There is not a set number of policies required by all businesses, as the BP4WP designation requirements vary by size of business. We do this so companies have the opportunity to get creative on which benefits work best for their

workforce today.”

Policies like parental leave, onsite childcare services, and nursing benefits are just a few of the metrics by which BP4WP measures the “family friendliness” of a company.

Savvy business owners are recognizing that advancing policies that support families is not simply a generous approach, it is also a prudent business practice.

“More than 19 million US workers—and counting—have quit their jobs since April 2021, a record pace disrupting businesses everywhere,” reports McKinsey. “Among survey respondents who had left their jobs, 45 percent cited the need to take care of family as an influential factor in their decision.”

Huntsville business owners who recognize employees’ need to fulfill caretaking responsibilities have a competitive edge in maintaining a high-caliber workforce.

“With two thirds of children under age six having both parents in the workforce, family friendly policies are a must for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent,” Sadie Funk, national director of The Best Place for Working Parents, told the Huntsville Business Journal. “Businesses across the Greater Huntsville area are showing how the Huntsville market is ready to compete for that national talent through wide adoption of The Best Place for Working Parents Top 10 Policies.”

Chelsea Montgomery works as an Adolescent Guide (Instructor) at the Montessori School of Huntsville, which has earned the BP4WP designation.

When Montgomery’s mother became ill and passed away at the end of the fall semester, the school’s ad-

By: Sarah Zupko / Photos courtesy

ministrators and fellow instructors worked together to support Montgomery and her family.

“When my mother fell ill, I had to miss several weeks of work,” Montgomery told the Business Journal.

“All the staff and administrators rallied around me and supported me not only by taking care of my students and classroom but, more importantly, by providing emotional support. This helped me to be there for my daughter and the rest of my family during that difficult time.”

Angie Sandritter, founder and CEO of RippleWorx, finds that employees who feel supported are empowered to do great work.

“I firmly believe a motivated workforce is the backbone of any thriving organization,” Sandritter told the Business Journal. “That’s why we prioritize creating an environment that fuels that motivation. We understand that a strong support system goes beyond just work. Supporting our employees’ families and offering flexible work arrangements are key factors in fostering a highly motivated team.”

Sandritter wonders if the family-friendly policies at RippleWorx might encourage the children, spouses, or other family members of current employees to join the company in the future.

“Who knows, maybe someday, some of our amazing employees’ family members will join our RippleWorx family too!,” said Sandritter.

Huntsville’s participation in the BP4WP network grants all Huntsvillearea businesses, regardless of whether they have earned the designation or not, to attend the Best Place for Working Parents National Summit at no cost. The National Summit will be held May 8-10 in Nashville, TN. w

of Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce

The Four People Every Successful Team Needs

Since the rise of personality assessments, such as Myers-Briggs or The Big 5 (OCEAN), we have become increasingly aware of how various personality types can contribute to the success or failure of teams, companies, and organizations.

For groups that truly value diversity and know how to synergize different ability sets, having a mixture of characters becomes a huge asset. While there are numerous ways to categorize and conceptualize different personality traits and types, the following four roles are broad and easy to remember.

Those who already work on highly effective teams will quickly be able to recognize their teammates and themselves amongst the following descriptions.

The Foreman

These are the leaders who drive the team and the project forward at all times. From a functional perspective, this is usually the supervisor or highest ranked member in the corporate hierarchy, however, sometimes this role is filled by other team members based on their own attributes and personality.

In studying team composition, this is known as a psychological role. The best foreman becomes the face of the project, taking personal responsibility for the group’s success or shortcomings, and is always pushing to beat deadlines while staying within the budget and meeting necessary expectations. Dangerous pitfalls for this team role include taking too much credit for the team’s successes by forgetting to share the spotlight.

They also run the risk of setting unrealistic goals and shutting down outside advice. Teams that lack a strong taskmaster, however, will often fall behind, missing their targets and goals, or abandon projects, leaving them incomplete.

The Innovator

While you may expect to find greater levels of creativity in certain industries, like graphic design or

By: Alex Duck

music production, every team and every project requires some level of creativity in order to be successful. These team members are known for their ability to brainstorm solutions and solve problems, sometimes in unconventional ways.

They demonstrate their talents best when assigned to create materials, put together presentations, or spruce up outdated documents. Their idealism, however, can sometimes be a stumbling block. While companies are always looking for innovation, it is possible to think too far outside the box by concocting ideas that are simply too costly or time-consuming to implement.

When these big ideas are met with resistance from other constraints, it can seemingly put the innovator at odds with the foreman and administrator types. Teams aiming to improve processes and prevent stagnation need these thinkers and changers, as no one can envision a better future like they can.

The Cheerleader

Company culture and team cohesion are two concepts that have gained a lot of focus in the last few decades.

The role of the cheerleader is to raise morale. Their positivity and people-oriented focus are great assets to have on any team, and that’s

not just warm, fuzzy talk. Studies have shown that happy workers and employees who feel genuinely cared about in the workplace are more productive and will stay with the company longer than their counterparts.

Their communication and diplomatic skills make them great mediators, keeping the team experience pleasant and enjoyable even through conflict. Their empathy and compassion, however, can quickly vanish in a toxic environment.

They may become quiet and withdrawn, or they may begin to engage in gossip and subterfuge, becoming the cause of drama and dysfunction instead of resolving it. Teams will always need these enthusiastic, supportive members to bolster morale and camaraderie.

The Administrator

These detail-oriented types are the compliance officers, the auditors, and the factual investigators of the team.

They prefer to rely on established policies and rules, are meticulous with details, and can often prevent a lot of headaches and issues with their institutional knowledge. They will often employ a scientific approach to solving problems.

They also typically prefer predictable outcomes and will shy away

from taking unnecessary risks. While this can sometimes make them seem like a wet blanket, their motivation is usually one of genuine care. They want to reduce company liability, protect their teammates’ safety, and ensure the project’s ultimate success.

At their worst, they can become an encumbrance to the team, stalling progress through red tape, guidelines, and checklists. Teams, however, need strong administrative types as their attention to detail, practicality, and patient approach will usually prove instrumental to success in the end.

Conclusion

Recognizing different team roles and the value each brings to the group is a great start toward maximizing team effectiveness. While the previous four types provide a basic overview of team dynamics, many other systems and theories exist.

For those interested in learning more, it would be worthwhile to take a look at the Belbin model of team roles, for example, as it identifies 9 distinct team roles belonging to 3 different orientations.

Regardless of how one conceptualizes these ideas, it is important that we understand and embrace the value that diversity among team members brings to our organizations. w

From Executive Order to Mayor’s Task Force, Huntsville is Pushing Ahead on AI

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has captured the attention of leaders at the highest levels of government all the way to our local leaders. From the White House to state capitols to city halls, elected officials are recognizing the immense potential and importance of AI. Recent executive orders and initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels demonstrate a growing commitment to harnessing the power of AI to improve government services, drive economic growth, and maintain competitive advantages.

As a major hub for government, defense, and technology, Huntsville, Alabama finds itself uniquely positioned to lead the way in the responsible development and implementation of AI. With active engagement from Mayor Tommy Battle, the formation of a Mayor’s Task Force on AI, and the city’s deep talent pool in key areas like cybersecurity, acquisitions, healthcare and biotech, Huntsville could position to be at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Unlike most previous presidential Executive Orders, this one is on-time or early with every deadline that was set. In a government town like Huntsville, we know that’s simply unusual. The United States is paying close attention to this technology and the highest leadership sees it of great importance.

I recently spoke at a conference of government contracting in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, a smaller version of our SMD Symposium here in Huntsville. My topic was reviewing in detail the 13 sections of the Executive order. I was reminded once again how well Huntsville is positioned for

this endeavor. Formerly called Fort Bragg, Fort Liberty is a smaller fort the size of Athens Alabama. While they have plenty of government presence, they are nowhere near as well-positioned as Huntsville when it comes to the highlighted subjects in the Executive Order. It mentions multiple times the need for AI in cybersecurity, government acquisitions, healthcare, and biotechnology - all strengths of our Rocket City metro!

At the beginning of February, Governor Ivey issued an Executive Order on AI.

“The state of Alabama is a pioneer in the development and use of advanced technologies, from manufacturing nanotechnology to empowering mankind to walk on the moon. In that innovative spirit, GenAI represents a monumental step forward in the potential for our state government to serve the public. However, its capabilities must first be studied carefully to ensure it is implemented in the most responsible and efficient manner possible,” said Governor Ivey.

Many states have yet to issue their own orders, but it’s obvious that state leadership is keen on seeing our State successfully through this transition. The document is drastically smaller at only 5 pages, likely to give room for the State to adjust as they discuss findings. The Alabama Office of Information Technology will be heading up initial AI access for state officials.

So where is Huntsville when it comes to AI? On February 20th, the Mayor tweeted on X, “Impressed with our community’s forward thinking about AI and its applications. Thank you, @RocketCenterUSA, for hosting these important discussions.” Not much

else is currently on public record about the city’s full stance on AI. However, you will see occasional mention and talk of a Mayor’s Task Force on AI at the Symposium.

Guess what? I got in! At a recent Chamber event, I was invited to serve on this Task Force on AI. Now I never signed anything and it’s not a secret meeting per se. But I’d like to speak to a few important points.

First of all, the Mayor does care about AI and its use in the city. He made that clear in the Symposium and also speaking at the most recent Task Force meeting. Like all other organizations and leaders, we are still in a discovery and discussion phase.

There were a lot of impressive people in that room - the types of people that need to be included in this kind of conversation. We all have varying opinions but agreed that this has to be addressed now. Huntsville has to make changes and grow with AI or lose out on the next frontier. In my few mentions in the group, I strongly encouraged that we leverage the engineering scrappiness of our moon-landing culture into this new frontier of cognition. We have the talent and the resources.

Decisions were made in the Task Force meeting I attended. Committees are being formed to address specific functional parts of AI in education, workforce development, and more. For now, it looks like meetings will occur monthly which is also a great indicator of local progress. I’m not speaking for the city but only a single voice in a large group of smart, concerned professionals.

I’m not the voice for the Task Force and I’m sure official an-

“AI Talks” is a series from the Huntsville Business Journal on Artificial Intelligence and its

interesting topics led by our contributing expert writer, Carl Holden. This series also introduced

Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), we plan on bringing our readers an “article”

original sources, this series hopefully will introduce our readers to the nuances of Artificial Intelligence

By: Carl Holden

nouncements will be made in the coming weeks. Pay attention! What I want people to understand is two things.

1. The city is paying attention and actively organizing. Leadership in Huntsville, contracting, government agencies, academia, corporate, and entrepreneurship are all at the table looking to move this forward.

2. This is more than we alone can handle. As you begin to see more formal announcements and calls to action, stand up and help. Huntsville simply hasn’t seen an opportunity like this since the moon.

I’m incredibly excited to see how Huntsville will answer the Orders placed at the State and Federal level. I’m nervous that some of the contracting community that relies on the status quo will miss out. Be a part of the solution, not the problem! w

Carl Holden, Creative Director of Zellus Marketing

AI Innovations Poised to Boost Huntsville’s Economic Growth

In the heart of Alabama, Huntsville stands as a testament to innovation and technological advancement. As the city continues to evolve, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal force driving economic growth and prosperity. With its burgeoning tech scene and deep-rooted expertise in aerospace and defense, Huntsville finds itself at the forefront of leveraging AI to propel its economy to new heights.

Fostering Innovation in Aerospace and Defense

Huntsville’s robust aerospace and defense industries have long been the cornerstone of its economy. With the advent of AI, these sectors are experiencing a renaissance, characterized by unprecedented innovation and efficiency. AI-powered technologies are revolutionizing everything from satellite systems and missile defense to drone technology and space exploration.

One notable example is the utilization of AI algorithms for predictive maintenance in aerospace manufacturing. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can anticipate equipment failures before they occur, minimizing downtime and optimizing production processes. This proactive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces maintenance costs, ultimately bolstering Huntsville’s competitiveness in the global aerospace market.

Driving Economic Diversification

Beyond aerospace and defense, AI is driving economic diversification across various sectors in Huntsville. The city’s burgeoning tech ecosystem is attracting startups and established companies alike, drawn by the promise of AI-driven innovation and growth opportunities. From healthcare and automotive to finance and education, AI is permeating every facet of Huntsville’s economy, catalyzing transformational change and creating new avenues for prosperity.

In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics and predictive analytics are revolutionizing patient care, leading to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans. Similarly,

By: ChatGPT

in the automotive industry, AI-enabled autonomous vehicles are poised to redefine transportation, offering safer, more efficient mobility solutions for Huntsville residents and beyond.

Investment and Talent Acquisi-

tion

The surge of AI-related initiatives in Huntsville has not gone unnoticed by investors and talent seekers. Venture capital firms are increasingly channeling funds into AI startups and research projects, recognizing the city’s potential as a hotbed of innovation. Likewise, Huntsville’s reputation as a hub for tech talent continues to attract skilled professionals from around the country, further fueling the AI revolution.

Moreover, collaboration between local universities, such as the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University, and industry partners is nurturing the next generation of AI talent through specialized programs and research initiatives. This symbiotic relationship ensures a steady pipeline of skilled workers equipped to drive Huntsville’s AI-driven economy forward.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

While the prospects for AI in Huntsville are undoubtedly promising, challenges remain on the horizon. Concerns surrounding data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations loom large as AI adoption proliferates. Addressing these issues will be paramount in ensuring responsible and equitable AI deployment that benefits all members of the community.

Nevertheless, Huntsville’s embrace of AI represents a paradigm shift in economic development, propelling the city into a new era of prosperity and innovation. With its rich legacy of technological prowess and unwavering spirit of ingenuity, Huntsville is primed to harness the transformative power of AI for the betterment of its economy and society as a whole. As the city continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the future of Huntsville is AI-driven, and the possibilities are limitless. w

Millions of companies are still required to comply with the CTA filing requirements despite the Huntsville Federal Court’s recent ruling.

The first major battle over the legality of the Corporate Transparency Act came to a close. On March 1st, Huntsville Circuit Judge Liles Burke of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled in favor of plaintiffs and found the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional.

Judge Burke was able to decide on the case in summary judgment after hearing arguments from both the Treasury Department and the National Small Business Association (NSBA).

According to Judge Burke, there were no facts disputed which would necessitate a trial.

In a 53 page decision, National Small Business United v. Yellen, Judge Burke concluded as a matter of law that the CTA exceeded the Constitution’s limits on congressional authority.

The Treasury Department’s counter argument sought to prove that “beneficial ownership information” (BOI) was a “necessary and proper” exercise of constitutional powers.

The CTA was introduced as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 as a way to require

Corporate Transparency Act Close Amid Concerns from

By: Noah

most privately held corporations, limited liability companies, and similar entities formed or registered to do business in the United States report what it referred to as BOI to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Why Did the NSBA Fight It?

Simply put, the CTA was devised as a method to combat money laundering and corruption specifically by making it harder for certain specific individuals to remain anonymous as to their involvement with companies suspected of illicit

financial activity. Specifically, the 27 million businesses with no employees and categorized as “non employer firms” were the main focus.

In their amicus brief filed in support of the law’s filing requirements last year, the nonpartisan FACT Coalition joined up with the leading corruption fighting group Transparency International U.S. and Main Street Alliance to provide arguments as to why the law was necessary.

The brief’s introduction argues that “Anonymous corporations play a central role in global money laundering and corruption. According to the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, anonymous companies were used in over 70 percent of grand corruption cases they reviewed to either carry out the corrupt activity or to hide the proceeds of it.”

It also argues that “The United

States in particular is arguably the best place to hide and launder illgotten gains because of the ease with which individuals can conceal their identities when forming and using U.S. companies.”

For our coverage of the case back in December, HBJ spoke with Molly Day who works for the NSBA in order to gain more insight as to why the Association felt the law was dangerous, which primarily focused on the concept and definition of a company’s beneficial owners.

“Essentially what they’re doing is requiring businesses to report on themselves to any beneficial owners. Typically, when you think of a beneficial owner or owner, you think of equity in the company, and some kind of financial state, but the way the regulations and Treasury define these terms are really vague and really broad,” Day explained.

Huntsville Circuit Judge Liles Burke of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Photo credit: North District of Alabama

Photo by Gus Wintzell

Act Showdown Comes to a from Local Businesses

Noah Logan

She also gave an example of what she considered plausible consequences of such vagueness. “Let’s say your mom is an accountant and you’re starting a business and

you’re asking her for advice on if you should start an LLC or an S Corporation, or how do you want to set up a business and other types of accounting questions. Under the law and under the regulations as we read it, she could reasonably be considered a beneficial owner even though she doesn’t have a stake in the business. She doesn’t have any equity ownership and she doesn’t have a financial stake in it but she is still exerting influence and control over the business,” argued Day.

But for some, it has been particularly difficult to see how her example could be realized and applied to an actual company setting, leading to pushback and public counter arguments.

Director of Advocacy at Transparency International Scott Greytak dismissed this logic during an interview conducted days after the ruling.

“The Treasury has defined who a beneficial owner is,” stated Greytak. “This is someone who basically directs and determines decisions made by a company and they even give examples, such as signing contracts on behalf of the company. So the idea that you could get some advice from your mom who was an accountant, and then all of a sudden conflate that with the same thing as entering into contracts formally on behalf of the business, I think is disingenuous.”

Policy Director of the FACT Coalition Zorka Milan echoed Greytak’s sentiment in an interview with HBJ when she explained that “the enforcement is limited to situations where if someone doesn’t report at all or if someone reports intentionally fraudulent information.” She also asserted “the treasury is not going to enact consequences on anyone who filled out the forms the best they can and maybe made a mistake or two.”

As for Judge Burke’s ruling, Milan identified a few misunderstandings to hopefully correct on appeal, such as his assertion that the

law’s scope was a state issue.

“This problem is one that transcends both state and international borders. The problem that this law is designed to solve is not about local small businesses, it’s about tracing who owns companies and how that ownership often cuts across state lines which absolutely implicates interstate and foreign commerce,” said Milan.

Greytak also highlighted Burke’s conclusion on the law’s importance to national security.

“All he had to do was look a bit beyond his provincial interpretation of the point of this law to understand the national security issues involved here. I mentioned that the UN knows that these companies are using 70% of grand corruption cases. There was also a notorious New York Times blockbuster article about how Iran was able to evade sanctions because of all the places in the world that wanted to park their money, they decided to park it in New York City, Manhattan, on Wall Street. And they used an anonymous shell company to be able to hide their involvement there,” he contested.

“It really does take a true holding of one’s breath and putting on, let’s call it, jurisprudential blinders to be able to get to a conclusion that this law doesn’t have national security and foreign policy at its core.”

Data from Congress has suggested that business owners do support the goals of the CTA. In a 2018 poll conducted while considering the CTA, more than 75% of small business owners expressed support for legislation requiring businesses to divulge their owners’ true identities at the time of formation.

In the same survey, 84% of small business owners said that the use of anonymous companies to win contracts or obtain government funding was a problem.

Do I Still Have to Report BOI Information?

Judge Burke’s ruling has not changed the fact that the vast majority of businesses still have to comply with the law and report the appropriate information.

Even though the court declared the CTA as “overseeing incorporation that lacks clear and commercial relevance” the Treasury and FinCEN are only barred from enforcing it against the plaintiffs which include Isaac Winkles and members of the Small Business Association.

This means that the CTA will remain in full effect for companies not part of the suit and that those companies must still report to FinCEN by the deadline of January 1, 2025, or 30 days after creation date once the deadline passes.

According to FinCEN, failing to do so can result in $500 fines for each day that the violation continues. Along with criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.

Some business owners are waiting for the battle to play out entirely before concerning themselves with the filing requirements, but the probable timeline suggests that the CTA will not be fully upheld or struck down this calendar year and the current enforcement will remain.

“As a practical matter the treasury is going to appeal this decision that will go to the 11th circuit court of appeals in Atlanta,” explained CEO of FinCEN Report Company LLC Jonathan Wilson.

“That process is likely to take months or perhaps even years, it is almost certain that we will not get a decision from the 11th circuit court of appeals before the end of 2024. So that means that 32 million companies are going to have to file now with the information that we have in front of us, and without there being a final answer as to what the meaning of this particular court’s decision will be,” Wilson concluded. w

Molly Day, VP of Public Affairs for the NSBA

Photo credit: NSBA

Katie Britt talks Voting, Israel, Homeland Security at Washington Update

By: Laura Boehringer

U.S. Senator Katie Britt, originating in the Wiregrass region of Alabama, hosted a Washington update on March 19 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, stating her concerns for defense budgeting and attacks in Israel as well as reflecting on her time in the senate so far.

Having been a member of the senate for only 14 months as the first female Republican senator from Alabama, as well as the youngest female Republican senator overall, Britt represents Alabama in committees regarding banking, rules, and appropriations.

Britt expressed confidence in Alabama’s Secretary of State, Wes Allen.

She spoke of his intention to encourage more people to volunteer as poll workers as well as his initiative called Heroes to the Polls, encouraging veterans to serve in that capacity. Britt also stated that those in need of voter IDs can have them delivered to their doors free of charge by the Alabama Secretary of State.

That said, Britt didn’t avoid talking about the tough issues, advocating for heavy trade sanctions on Iran, noting that Iran’s oil revenue has increased under the Biden administration as Trump enforced “bone crushing” sanctions.

“We know the more money they have, the more money they have to

finance terrorism, and the more money they have to advance their nuclear agenda. What we need to do is put maximum pressure when it comes to sanctions. When we talked to Secretary Yellen and tried to point out the discrepancies under the previous administration. The last of the Trump administration, Iran was making about $7 billion off of oil revenue…Now they’re making $80 billion in oil revenue. I was disappointed to see last week, this administration knowing what we’ve just been through, just did a waiver, and Iran will have another

$10 billion to work with. This isn’t rocket science,” Britt said of Iran, also calling the country “the largest state sponsor of terrorism.”

Britt then discussed a bipartisan delegation totaling at 5 republicans and 5 democrats to Israel 2 weeks after the wave of attacks on the nation in October. Meeting with leaders in Israel, Britt noted differences and parallels in regards to Hamas’ attacks to those of 9/11.

“Those men and women woke up the next day, and the enemy was only a few miles away. And it was an enemy that said and continues

to say, ‘we will come back again and again and again. And we will repeat October 7th until we eradicate the Jewish people and the Israeli state.’ When we woke up, that would have been when the people of New York, knowing that those people were in Brooklyn, we would have never asked moms and dads to tuck their kids in at night and say, ‘I hope you’re safe.’”

According to Britt, allies of the U.S. have lost respect for it, and enemies no longer fear it as a result of weakness in the White House, using Biden’s 1% cut in the Homeland Security.

Britt noted that China has had 3 years of security spending in a row, averaging at around a 7% increase each year.

“I believe in order to achieve peace through strength, we need to be investing in the right things,” Britt said.

Britt concluded her update in saying that despite the difficult times the U.S. finds itself in, she still has faith in the nation and its ability to recover.

“We have faced harder times before, and we have gotten knocked down, and it’ll happen again. But I am counting on the men and women in this room, the men and women of our state, the men and women of this nation to continue to stand back up,” concluded Britt. w

Where Are Interest Rates Headed for the Rocket City?

By: Matt Curtis

With interest rates hitting a two-decade high, many consumers across the Huntsville area wonder where rates are headed for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Higher interest rates, along with higher prices have affected housing affordability where the median household income can no longer afford the median priced home in the Tennessee Valley.

In a normal year we probably would not see interest rates fall because of the strong job numbers and inflation not yet hitting the Fed’s desired 2% range, The Fed likes to save rate cuts to help pull the US out of a recession. However, this is not a normal year. It’s an election year and the Fed is likely feeling the political pressure. The Wall Street Journal recently reported President Biden saying “I’ll bet you those rates come down more, because I bet you that little outfit that sets interest rates is going to [bring them] down” at a campaign rally.

Towards the end of 2024, I think we’re going to see interest rates in the mid 6’s for conventional loans and high 5’s on government loans. We’ll likely see the first Fed rate cut this summer and an additional two cuts by the end of the year. This lines up with predictions from Fannie Mae where they are predicting rates to hit 6.4% by the end of Q4 and 6% by the end of 2025. Rates in the 6’s and 7’s are average interest rates over the course of US history.

For all of my engineer readers that want to look to time interest rate drops, keep an eye on the 10 Year Treasury yield and also quantitative easing. Historically, the spread between the 10 year treasury yield and 30 year mortgage rates is 1.7%. The spread is now over 3% due to fear and uncertainty that has been baked into the market place.

As the 10 year treasury comes down, expect to see mortgage rates come down. If the world begins to appear less risky, then expect for that 3% premium come down. The other thing to keep an eye on is quantitative easing. The Fed currently holds $2.4 trillion in mortgages on their balance sheet and had set a goal of trimming that balance by $35 Billion per month. They have not been selling off their assets to achieve this goal, only allowing them to fall off of the books through maturity. If they announce they’re going to begin selling these assets again, then expect for interest rates to increase. Be careful with trying to time interest rate drops though if you’re a value shopper because prices are likely to increase as interest rates become more affordable.

With the additional money printing and inflation that is predicted by Forbes and many others. I don’t see a world where we hit rates in the 2’s or 3’s again in our lifetimes. Declining interest rates this year will likely also trigger higher home values as real estate investment firm Blackstone is encouraging investors to begin buying now. With increased money printing and inflation by 2030 we might wish we could return to the prices and interest rates of 2024 and 2025. w

Matt Curtis of Matt Curtis Real Estate

Monthly Statistics Report Shows Increased Sales for Madison County

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR) has released its report for the month of February 2024.

The Huntsville/Madison County market saw 545 houses sold in February, which is up from 378 sold in January, and 452 sold in February of 2023.

There were 994 pending sales listed in February 2024, up from 919 in January. However, this falls short of the 1049 pending sales listed in February of 2023.

Inventory continues to rise, with 1755 units on the market in February, up from 1405 the previous year. Months’ supply of inventory rose 24% for single-family units and 46.5% for townhouse/condo units.

Houses spent an average of 46 days on the market in Huntsville/Madison County, up ten days year-over-year.

“There’s a lot to like in our latest housing stats,” said Kurtis Krueger, CEO of Huntsville Area Association of Realtors and ValleyMLS. “February’s numbers reflect a market that sold more houses, held more inventory, and provided more value to homeowners. That’s a win for everyone. This, of course, is only a snapshot of North Alabama’s real estate market, but both buyers and sellers should be very excited about

what’s to come in the spring and summer.”

On the national scale, the Federal Reserve has indicated that it will continue ahead with its scheduled three cuts to key interest rates across 2024, despite data from January and February showing that inflation remains stubbornly above projected levels for the Federal Reserve’s schedule.

“Inflation has come way down, and that gives us the ability to approach this question carefully and feel more confident that inflation is moving down sustainably,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said, speaking at a televised press conference. “It is still likely ... that we will see that confidence and that there will be rate cuts.”

Consensus among economists suggests that the first rate cuts will likely be announced around midJune of this year.

“Core” inflation, which excludes food and energy costs, remains at around 2.8%, while consumer inflation - which includes expenses such as services such as hotels, hospital stays, rent and the like - remained around 3% for the first two months of 2024.

Powell mentioned the high cost of insurance as a factor keeping inflation higher than projected, during a March 7 testimony before the Senate.

“It is clear that insurance of various different kinds, housing insurance but also automobile insurance and things like that, that’s

By: Marie Johnson

been a significant source of inflation over the last few years, and it’s to do with a million different factors,” Powell said.“

Of particular note is the impact that the climate has had on property insurance. Severe weather events - tropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones, and floods - have been on the rise in both frequency and severity since 1990, according to reporting from credit rating agency DBRS Morningstar.

This increase in damages has caused the insurance model itself to struggle; Farmers Insurance outright abandoned the state of Florida in its entirety in July of 2023. For insurers that remain in coastal areas, the need to offset losses in these coastal markets has led to increased premiums across the board.

In the March 7 testimony, Powell noted that the Federal Reserve has no regulatory authority over insurance, and thus, no real way to control inflation derived from that sector. He suggested that the Federal government may need to intervene if the situation with these coastal markets continues.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to monitor developments in the real estate market, both locally and on the national level. w

National Association of Realtors Responds to Legal Settlement

The way people buy and sell real estate in America has changed dramatically, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR), has reached a legal settlement that will, among other things, end the even-split 6% commission model.

The NAR agreed to enact new rules which will abolish the practice of the seller paying for both their own broker and that of the buyer. It also prohibits multiple listing services (MLS) from including agent’s compensation on the listings, which the lawsuit alleged drove brokers to corral their clients towards the most expensive listings to ensure that they received the largest possible commission.

The NAR continues to deny any wrongdoing, maintaining that, while it could have pursued appeals, the settlement ensures stability and a release from liability for its membership, which numbers over a million.

“Ultimately, continuing to litigate would have hurt members and their small businesses,” said Nykia Wright, the interim CEO of the NAR. “While there could be no perfect outcome, this agreement is the best outcome we could achieve in the circumstances. It provides a path forward for our industry, which makes up nearly one fifth of the American economy, and NAR. For over a century, NAR has protected and advanced the right to real property ownership in this country, and we remain focused on delivering on that core mission.”

This release from liability covers all NAR members other than agents affiliated with HomeServices of America and its related companies, and employees of the remaining corporate defendants named in the cases covered by this settlement.

A statement from the NAR pertaining to the settlement states that all MLS participants working on behalf of buyers “would be required to enter into written agreements with their buyers before touring a home.” These new requirements will go into effect by mid-July.

“Even if the letter of the settlement allows for cooperation, how the settlement is perceived may still re-shape agent attitudes about cooperation, and consumer attitudes about fees”

Investment bank TD Cowen Insights estimates that this move could cut commissions down anywhere from 25% to 50%. This could shave $6 - 12,000 dollars off of the price of an average-priced home in the United States, according to TD Cowen Insights.

“While the settlement comes at a significant cost, we believe the benefits it will provide to our industry are worth that cost,” read a statement given by Kevin Sears, president of the NAR.

The NAR further suggested that mandating agreements would provide both transparency for consumers and flexibility in the types of services and level of value individual agents provide.

What is unclear at this time is what model will prove the most popular among consumers in the days to come. Suggestions include keeping

an even-split six-percent commission, having buyers directly pay their agents a flat fee, having sellers offer compensation in the form of concessions, or have the listing broker offer

By: Marie Johnson

a portion of their compensation to the buyer’s agent.

“Even if the letter of the settlement allows for cooperation, how the settlement is perceived may still reshape agent attitudes about cooperation, and consumer attitudes about fees,” said Glenn Kelman, the CEO of brokerage firm Redfin, in a statement. “The result could be that agent-to-agent cooperation on fees is weakened but not killed.”

No matter how the future unfolds, the shape of the real estate market has been fundamentally changed by this settlement.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to report on |developments in the real estate industry, both locally and on the national scale. w

Huntsville’s First Major Music Festival to Launch in September

A brand new beat has been confirmed for Huntsville, and it’s coming sooner than anticipated.

Representatives from C3 Presents confirmed the September 2024 launch date. The company is currently planning a two-day, multi-genre festival for John Hunt Park. The name of the event, lineups and ticket information will be released in April.

Mayor Tommy Battle hailed the forthcoming festival as a boon for both Huntsville and the wider region.

“This is a win-win for Huntsville as well as the region,” Mayor Battle remarked. “This is a great opportunity to work with a world-class festival producer to bring a world-class event to a world-class park. We can’t wait to see the lineup.”

With an eye on enhancing residents’ quality of life and bolstering revenue streams for local businesses and the hospitality sector, the introduction of this new music festival has been warmly welcomed by city officials.

“Huntsville continues to reinvest in the community by attracting events like this to the Rocket City,” affirmed Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban and Economic Development. “We look forward to welcoming the City’s music fans and visitors alike to Huntsville in September.”

For Huntsville Music Officer Matt Mandrella, the prospect of hosting a diverse array of well-known artists, synonymous with C3 Presents-produced festivals, marks a significant milestone in the city’s aspiration to become a premier music destination.

“C3’s success in establishing festivals like Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival speaks for itself,” Man-

drella enthused. “This event is going to take our music city aspirations to the next level and continue establishing Huntsville as a destination for live music fans.”

Ted Heinig, Festival Director at C3 Presents, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Huntsville, underscoring the city’s proactive approach in inviting the festival to its grounds.

“Never before have we been recruited by a city to establish a festival,” Heinig noted. “We are excited about coming to Huntsville and bringing the music with us.”

With C3 Presents overseeing all aspects of festival production, from talent booking to logistics, vendors, and volunteers, anticipation is building as Huntsville gears up to host what promises to be a sensational addition to its cultural calendar.

C3 Presents estimates about 30,000 people will attend in year one.

Per the agreement, C3 would manage all festival production, from booking the talent to logistics, vendors and volunteers. The contract also requires restoration of John Hunt Park

By: Gus Wintzell

following each event.

The City of Huntsville is required to reimburse C3 Presents for any net losses, up to $1 million, each year. Unused funds will be reinvested into John Hunt Park. The City will also provide public safety and EMS services for each event as well as matching funds for marketing.

The festival will provide a new revenue stream for Huntsville’s businesses and hospitality industry. The 2022 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival, held the first two weekends in October, had an economic impact of $447 million in the City of Austin. Lollapalooza 2022 contributed more than $335 million to the City of Chicago’s economy. w

Photo courtesy of City of Huntsville

SBA Deputy Administrator Highlights Alabama Surge in Small Business Creation

Small business creation is on the rise in Alabama. Nearly 220,000 new businesses have been created across the state in the last three years.

“The combined 2020-2021 monthly averages of new business applications are up 51.12% compared to pre-2021 numbers in Alabama,” Megyn Rodriguez, Public Information Officer for Alabama’s Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office, told the Huntsville Business Journal.

The Huntsville business community had the opportunity to hear from a high-level representative from the federal Small Business Administration when Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed traveled to Huntsville on March 21 to speak at the 37th Marshall Small Business Alliance (MSBA).

Steeped in personal experience as a successful entrepreneur, Deputy Administrator Syed now works to build connections between entrepreneurs, small business owners, and lawmakers.

Prior to joining the Biden Administration, Syed was the President and CEO of Lumiata, a California-based start-up that utilizes AI to improve healthcare outcomes for patients while simultaneously driving down costs. Before his time at Lumiata, Syed served as the president of the software company Freshworks.

Syed explained to those gathered at the MSBA meeting that the SBA coordinates government contracting for small businesses. The SBA has developed initiatives that aim to help small businesses win local, state, and federal government contracts.

“Many of you are familiar with the 7(j) program; we have revamped it to make it a little bit more tailored. It is rebranded as Empower to Grow. And what you will see is, there is going to be a lot more targeted, custom, one-on-one training and mentorship. That’s a key promise,” said Syed.

Syed emphasized that the Biden-Harris Administration is intentional in supporting small businesses, as a central component of the health of the national economy.

“The United States’ government is the world’s single largest purchaser

of goods and services,” said Syed. “[It spends] $700 billion a year, that’s bigger than the GDP of many nations. And the President is committed to ensuring that a good share of that goes to small businesses.”

The Deputy Administrator noted that his work as an entrepreneur has led him to understand entrepreneurship as an “act of hope.”

Following his remarks to the MSBA, Deputy Administrator Syed sat down with the Huntsville Business Journal in a one-on-one interview to discuss the outlook for small businesses in Huntsville and North Alabama.

Syed noted that the Huntsville-area has long been known for attracting Ph.D.s and global talent. He believes this legacy makes Huntsville uniquely poised to take advantage of emerging technologies.

“I think, at this interesting moment, where there is so much transition to deep tech, to AI, Huntsville can punch above its weight,” Syed told the Business Journal.

Syed anticipates that the Huntsville business community, with government support, can play a leadership role on the national stage as these cutting-edge technologies are widely adopted.

Additionally, Syed explained that the SBA is committed to support small businesses beyond their initial founding. The Deputy Administrator noted that securing a small business application is just the first step.

“We want to make sure that while we see this uptick in small business creation, that these businesses become viable businesses,” said Syed.

The SBA has created initiatives to

support small businesses as they move beyond the creation stage to becoming successful, lasting operations.

One such program is known as 8(a). This business development program seeks to provide support for small business owners who are U.S. citizens from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Among other benefits, participants in the 8(a) program have the opportunity to be mentored through the SBA Mentor-Protégé program.

The SBA is also working to streamline the administrative work of small business ownership, from speeding up processing times for small business applications to making it possible for small business owners to obtain all of their certifications in one place.

Small business owners who are interested in the ways in which the federal government can offer support are encouraged to visit sba.gov. w

By: Sarah Zupko / Photo by Megyn Rodriguez

Pictured L to R: Alabama District Office Deputy District Director L.D. Ralph, Alabama District Office District Director Thomas Todt, SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed, Mayor Tommy Battle (Huntsville), Marshall Space Flight Center Small Business Specialist David Brock, Mayor Tab Bowling (Decatur), Mayor Paul Finley (Madison), Marshall Small Business Alliance Event Coordinator Debbie Batson

BRIEFCASE

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Announce Changes to Leadership for Huntsville Plant

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) is set to undergo a leadership transition as Masashi Aihara, the founding Plant President, steps down from his role. Aihara, who has been instrumental in MTM’s journey since joining in 2018, will facilitate the introduction of Mitsunobu Mukaida as the new president.

During his tenure, Aihara played a pivotal role in shaping MTM’s growth, overseeing its transformation from its inception in cotton fields to its current stature.

“It has been a great challenge to start an automotive facility of this size from cotton fields, to where MTM is now. We received much support from the local governments, communities, suppliers, our team members and other stakeholders that has led to our success – two new lines, two shifts, producing two vehicles,” said Aihara. “My hope is to leave the same kind of positive impact on MTM and Alabama, that they have had on me and on my family over the past five years.”

Mukaida, bringing with him 35 years of experience at Mazda Motor Corporation, is set to lead MTM into its next chapter.

“My mission at MTM as a joint venture plant is to further realize the synergy between Toyota and Mazda through their respective strengths, and to develop it as a ‘best in town’ facility that is loved by our team members and the local community,” said Mukaida. “I will continue to work with determination to put down roots in Huntsville.”

Mukaida will assume the role of President as of April 1, 2024.

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing is a jointly owned-and-operated automotive production plant. The $2.3 billion facility has created 4,000 jobs and has the capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles annually of the allnew Toyota Corolla Cross and the

all-new Mazda CX-50.

For more information, please visit www.MazdaToyota.com. w

Mayor Battle Announces Anticipated Return of NGA GeoResilience Summit

On Tuesday, Huntsville’s Mayor Battle announced the return of the GeoResilience Summit to Huntsville.

Hosted by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and GEOHuntsville, the summit will provide a day of informative panels along with a free student career fair.

“The impact of geospatial technology cannot be overstated,” said Mayor Battle.

Mayor Battle also mentioned that the Summit was important for Huntsville to “stay on that cutting edge so that we are able to draw the best and brightest minds to Huntsville to have success here.”

David Lucas, executive director of GEOHuntsville, spoke of the success his organization has seen in expanding the geospatial ecosystem in Huntsville.

In tandem with Mayor Battle’s initiatives, legacy geospatial technology has been successfully utilized in the academic and industrial sectors to produce economic growth and development for the city.

The summit, titled “Why Where Matters,” will be held on April 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806.

A free student career fair will be held concurrently between 10:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Representatives from the geospatial sector–including NGA, FBI, NASA, industry, and non-profits–will be on hand to conduct resume reviews on a first-come-first-served basis.

Shelisa Gardner, an NGA retiree and member of the GEOHuntsville Board in charge of outreach, said they would love to see more students registered for the career fair opportunity. In addition, Gardner announced that GEOHuntsville is offering three $1000 academic scholarships to qualified students.

Full-time high school and college students may attend the career fair at no cost and receive a reduced rate for summit tickets.

Summit attendees will have opportunities to speak with experts from government, industry, and academia about the impact of geospatial intelligence on national security and Huntsville’s growing geospatial ecosystem.

Panel topics will include:

• How GIS Developments are Strengthening U.S. Resilience

• Geospatial Roles in Disaster Response & Climate Change

• Expanding into Outer Space

• Preparing for a Career in The Geospatial & STEM Industry & Government

The GeoResilience summit speaker list includes NGA Deputy Director Tonya Wilkerson and leaders from NASA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, U.S. Space Command, the City of Huntsville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and more. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle will deliver the closing keynote.

Geospatial intelligence refers to intelligence gathered through the analysis of images and other data from a particular location. This analysis reveals information about human activity and physical geography anywhere on the planet.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is the lead federal agency for geospatial intelligence. GEOHuntsville is a nonprofit, collaborative effort supporting workforce growth and economic development in the region. GEOHuntsville’s goal is to establish and grow Huntsville as a major corridor for geospatial intelligence. w

Big Spring Park Expansion Plans Unveiled as City Hall Project Nears Completion

As the construction of the new City Hall approaches its final stages, municipal leaders are looking ahead to the revitalization of Big Spring Park in Huntsville.

The forthcoming transition to the new City Hall will mark the end of an era for the current Administration Building on Fountain Circle, slated for demolition. However, the site’s fate

is far from bleak, as it is set to be integrated into the beloved green space of Big Spring Park.

In a decisive move, the Huntsville City Council has greenlit a contract with Bostick Landscape Architects to spearhead the design process for incorporating the former Administration Building site into the park.

Mayor Tommy Battle expressed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of the project, noting that it marks a significant step forward in enhancing the downtown area’s recreational offerings.

“As our downtown thrives, so does the need for recreational spaces,” Mayor Battle remarked. “This property presents an opportunity to expand Big Spring Park, solidifying its position as a cherished City landmark. By enlarging the footprint, we provide an even larger public space for everyone to enjoy.”

The envisioned design promises to be ambitious, with plans for two to three terrace plaza levels, a pavilion, enhanced sidewalk and hardscape connections to Church Street, upgraded landscaping and irrigation, as well as additional lighting and electrical infrastructure. Despite these developments, the City is committed to preserving a substantial portion of the existing greenspace that graces the sloped area adjacent to the Administration Building.

Under the terms of the contract, the design phase is expected to culminate by September 14. w

Singing River Trail’s $18.4 million Reconnecting Communities & Grants Sees Approval

In a bid to foster connectivity and promote historical preservation, the Singing River Trail’s (SRT) latest initiative, the “Dr. Bill Sims Hike-Bike Way on the Singing River Trail: Reconnecting Old Town to Decatur’s Riverfront” project, has been approved.

In partnership with the City of Decatur and the Decatur Morgan County Tourism’s Board of Directors, SRT’s project is slated to fund the construction of the Dr. Bill Sims/Singing River Trail, spanning from Point Mallard to Old Town.

Once completed, the trail will link several iconic landmarks including Rhodes Ferry, Deadman’s Alley on Bank Street, Etta Freeman Park, Scottsboro Boys Civil Rights Museum, Judge Horton Home, Old Town Historic District, Ingles Harbor, and Malone Park.

Covering an impressive 8.77 miles, the trail will not only enhance connectivity within Decatur but also serve as a beacon for surrounding towns and cities along the Singing River Trail route.

One of the primary goals of this project is to restore connectivity to Old Town, a historically significant AfricanAmerican district. By bridging the gap between Old Town and the rest of Decatur, the trail will revitalize the area, promoting accessibility and fostering a sense of community.

Moreover, the project emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The establishment of a dedicated bike and pedestrian greenway system will ensure that residents and visitors alike can traverse the city with ease, promoting active lifestyles and sustainable transportation.

The initiative has garnered widespread support from the local community, with residents expressing enthusiasm for the project’s potential to enhance the city’s cultural and recreational offerings. w

Brasfield & Gorrie Relocates Its Huntsville Office

As its work in North Alabama increases, Brasfield & Gorrie recently celebrated the opening of its relocated Huntsville office. The new location on Meridian Street increases the general contractor’s square footage to accommodate growth.

BRIEFCASE

“Huntsville and the surrounding area continue to grow and thrive, and we’re thrilled to be part of building this city,” said Vice President and Division Manager Sara Beth Wilcox. Wilcox oversees the general contractor’s Huntsville office. “As a native of North Alabama, I’m passionate about welcoming new teammates and connecting them to the community.”

Brasfield & Gorrie has worked in the Huntsville market for more than 40 years. In 2012, we established a local office. The company’s work in the Huntsville area spans a variety of market sectors, including commercial, aerospace, government, healthcare, industrial, and mission critical.

Notable projects include NASA Test Stands, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Bryant Bank, Alabama School of Cyber Technology, Dynetics, U.S. Courthouse, Davidson’s Technologies’ headquarters and Redstone Gateway Buildings 1000, 1200 and 7000.

Brasfield & Gorrie aims to build strong communities everywhere it works. In Huntsville, that includes partnerships with local organizations such as Lincoln Village Ministry, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity Madison County and Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue Mission. w

Spier Wines Announces Transatlantic Partnership with Local Group to Bring South African Flavors to Alabama

Spier Wines, a historic name in South Africa’s winemaking heritage, has announced an exciting collaboration with local-favorite restaurateurs and hospitality group, Church Street Family. Together, they are set to introduce two new wine collections – Naledi and The Saltress – to American wine enthusiasts, marking a significant transatlantic partnership.

Established in 1692, Spier Wines holds the distinction of being one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms,

celebrated internationally for its commitment to quality and sustainability. With accolades such as being named South African Producer of the Year by the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2011 and 2018, Spier brings centuries of winemaking expertise to this collaboration.

The Church Street Family, known for its diverse array of hospitality offerings in Huntsville, Alabama, including Italian cuisine, high-end dining, and fresh seafood, shares Spier’s dedication to excellence and innovation.

Recognized as “trailblazers in Huntsville’s hospitality scene,” the ChurchStreet Family has a history of introducing new and exciting brands to the local market.

“We are excited about our partnership with Spier, in South Africa – it gives Alabama and Huntsville the unique opportunity to debut wines from an extraordinary region, half way around the world! We love working with like-minded people who invest in community, environment and heritage. The Saltress & Naledi wines are not only a true expression of the South

African terroir but of Spier family’s commitment to excellence” Matt & Stephanie Mell, owners of the Church Street Family group.

Both Spier and the Church Street Family are deeply rooted in conserving heritage, evident in Spier’s restoration of a 331-year-old cellar and the ChurchStreet Family’s Italian dining experience Mazzara’s Vinoteca located at the historic Humphreys Rogers Manor House, built in 1848. This shared commitment to preserving tradition forms the foundation of their partnership.

Naledi, meaning ‘star’ in Sesotho, symbolizes the pursuit of excellence even in adversity, with each wine crafted to inspire and delight. Meanwhile, The Saltress pays homage to the transformative power of the Cape Coast winds, resulting in wines that are vibrant, mineral-rich, and refreshingly unique. Naledi has been available since March 20. The Saltress will launch April 6.

Both wines can be purchased exclusively in the US through a partnership with Church Street Family’s Huntsville restaurant group. w

Harris Home for Children to Celebrate 70th Anniversary in April

Harris Home for Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, invites you to participate in the 70th Anniversary Celebration on April 11, 2024 with two-time Super Bowl Champion Trey Flowers, Miss America, Miss Alabama, and a host of other celebrities.

WAFF Channel 48 Payton Walker - anchor and host of “Tennessee Valley Living”, and Kenny Anderson – host of “Impact with Kenny Anderson” are the MCs.

The Harris Home for Children 70th Anniversary Celebration on April 11, 2024 kicks-off with a VIP Reception at 5:00 pm for top Sponsors to meet and have their pictures taken with the celebrities.

The event starts at 6:00 pm at the Von Braun Civic Center Saturn Ballroom (formerly North Hall). Tickets, Sponsorship opportunities,

and donations are tax deductible. Information and registration are at: bit. ly/HarrisHome70thRegistration.

The event will be filled with dining; appearances by Trey Flowers - Huntsville native and two-time Super Bowl Champion of the New England Patriots; Miss AmericaSecond Lieutenant Air Force Pilot Madison Marsh; and Miss Alabama Brianna Burrell; a special Light Ceremony; and entertainment by Junctional Rhythm, a popular local dance band, for all to enjoy dancing until 11:00 pm.

“The children of Alabama and specifically North Alabama Counties need our help”, said Harris Home for Children Executive Director Reginald McKenzie. “The Alabama State Department of Human Resources (DHR) requested that we expand our Crisis Program to serve

more children but that is not possible without more financial resources. Any donation amount is helpful. This 70th Anniversary is a Celebration of what Chessie Harris started 70 years ago and we must continue to help children in need.”

Currently in Alabama, there are approximately 6,000 children in foster care.

Harris Home for Children’s “Crisis Intervention” is the only licensed program in the State of Alabama providing emergency placement services for youth between 12 and 20 years of age. DHR’s request to expand these services will not be possible without additional financial resources.

RECOGNITIONS

ServisFirst Huntsville

Announces New First Vice President, Mortgage Production Manager

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), announced the addition of Tammy McCurry as First Vice President, Mortgage Production Manager for the ServisFirst Bank Huntsville region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tammy to the team. Her dedication and wealth of experience in guiding homeowners through the mortgage lending process makes her an ideal fit for our bank and our community we serve,” states Andy Kattos, Regional CEO of ServisFirst Bank Huntsville. “We look forward to the expertise and clarity she brings to our clients in North Alabama.”

Tammy brings with her over thirty years of experience in banking and mortgage lending, with a background encompassing mortgage origination, secondary operations, underwriting, closing, and construction lending.

Beyond her professional expertise, Tammy is deeply engaged in the Huntsville and Madison County community.

She co-founded and serves as Vice President of 100+ Women Who Care, is a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville Class of 2017, and actively participates on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Tammy’s commitment extends to various association boards, including her tenure as President of the Alabama Mortgage Bankers Association Board from 2019 to 2020.

For more information regarding ServisFirst Bank’s recent addition in Huntsville please visit www.servisfirstbank.com.

Huntsville Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces Staff Promotions

The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has announced the promotion of several team members.

Pam Williams is the new Vice President of Tourism, succeeding Jennifer Moore, who was named CVB President and CEO, last fall.

Ms. Williams, formerly Tourism Sales Manager, has been with the Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2005, and will lead the organization’s outreach to the leisure and group travel markets, as well as oversee the operation of both the Huntsville/Madison County Visitor Center® in downtown Huntsville, and the Visitor Information Kiosk in Huntsville International Airport.

Julian Burley is now a Convention Sales Manager, responsible for soliciting and booking conferences and meetings in the Religious, Corporate and Higher Education markets. Mr. Burley was promoted from his former position of Administrative Assistant after working for the CVB since 2022.

Two CVB team members received title changes to better reflect their roles and responsibilities. Leah Hall is now Graphic Design Manager, and Joel Lamp is Sports Development Manager.

All promotions and title changes are effective immediately. For more information, please visit www.huntsville.org.

Butler Snow Adds Five New Attorneys to Huntsville Office

Butler Snow LLP has announced the addition of Jacob A. Cain, Samantha S. McNatt, Grayson D. Miller, Carson T. Perreault and P. Andrew Ray to the Huntsville, Alabama, office.

“The firm is thrilled to announce the addition of Jacob, Samantha, Grayson, Carson, and Andrew to the Huntsville office,” said Christopher R. Maddux, chair of Butler Snow. “Each of these attorneys brings with them legal expertise that will further strengthen our Correctional Litigation and Government Contracts and Global Trade teams. We look forward to seeing their successes in the coming years.”

Jacob A. Cain

Cain joins Butler Snow’s Government Contracts and Global Trade team with fifteen years of experience in litigation, contract law, and federal agency knowledge, such as the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, and NASA.

Prior to joining the firm, he served in the United States Army as a prosecutor and administrative law attorney. He also served as Senior Program Manager

for all U.S. Army Environmental Issues in the state of Alaska.

During his years as an attorney in the U.S. Army, he analyzed contract proposals to ensure legal sufficiency and policy compliance from foreign governments, private corporations, and international organizations. He also worked as an ethics program manager, redesigning the program to align with compliance regulations for multigenerational Army leaders and evolving technology.

Cain incorporates his experience into his practice, focusing on all aspects of government solutions, including key areas such as ethics and environmental compliance, as well as procurement and acquisitions.

Cain earned bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. He earned his Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School in Virginia.

Samantha S. McNatt

McNatt will focus her practice on correctional litigation. Prior to joining Butler Snow, she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeal Division of the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General.

McNatt earned her bachelor’s degree from Harding University and her Juris Doctor from Belmont University College of Law. She is currently admitted to practice in Tennessee and before the United States Supreme Court. Her admission in Alabama is pending.

Grayson D. Miller

Miller’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, correctional litigation, class actions and civil rights matters.

Miller earned his bachelor’s degree from Charleston Southern University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to joining Butler Snow, Miller clerked for the Honorable Ruth Ann Hall of the 23rd Circuit Court of Alabama.

Carson T. Perreault

Perreault’s practice will focus on correctional litigation matters (pending Alabama Bar Admission).

Perreault earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and his Juris Doctor from Washington Univer-

sity School of Law, where he was also a recipient of the Scholars in Law Award.

Andrew Ray

Ray’s practice will focus on commercial litigation, correctional litigation, class actions and civil rights matters. Prior to joining the firm, he clerked for the Honorable Chris M. Comer of the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Madison County, Alabama.

Ray earned his bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees from Auburn University. He earned his Juris Doctor from Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.

For more information, please visit www.butlersnow.com.