2021 Annual Report: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

2021

ANNUAL REPORT HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Presenting Sponsor

vision mission 2

The Chamber is the catalyst for business growth, community engagement, and action to drive economic vitality and advance our position as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth

A Note from the 2021 Board Chair In the face of troubling times, our actions can and should lead to making us better than before. This past year for your Chamber was just that sort of year. The unrest of 2020 and the events of January 6, 2021 led to a conversation among our Board of Directors to begin the year. The Board felt it was important to add depth to our Vision and Mission statements with the addition of Values to define our organization more clearly. A task force developed the following list of Values, which our Board adopted during their April meeting: 1. Strategic – we endeavor to understand our region’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and develop short and long-term plans to address them 2. Collaborative – we capitalize on opportunities and address challenges by working with our partners 3. Innovative – we believe that creative and bold actions are prerequisites to creating a competitive advantage 4. Inclusive – we value all people in our community and strive to create equitable opportunities 5. Accountable – we are accountable to our members and stakeholders to act with integrity in all regards 6. Engaged – we cultivate relationships with our members and community to ensure that our interests and actions are aligned Identifying and defining these values was a productive exercise for our volunteer leadership. Through the process, we are able to better state our core values and, as a result, provide clarity to our Mission and Vision statements. All are now available on our website.

We entered the year with hopes that a vaccine would soon end the pandemic. Well, hope was dashed when variants emerged and caused us to delay in-person events the day after the first live event in over a year – the Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon. We were able to host a number of events between surges, though, and fortunately, these included a number of our signature events. Thank you for bearing with us on all of the various schedule changes and event adaptations! Who knew that banquet food was really comfort food?

A real bright spot of the year was the community hosting the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open in April. This was a return to competition for these athletes, and Cummings Research Park provided the setting for the two-day event. These athletes were amazed by the Rocket City’s hospitality, and we were inspired by both their ability and spirit. We will host them again in April 2022, and I encourage you to come out and witness the power of the human spirit in person!

Your Chamber is blessed to have a strong group of volunteers, staff, and partners who worked together to ensure that we were able to serve our members and support the community while we continued to pursue our objectives during the pandemic. The highlights of those efforts are in this Annual Report. I am proud to have served as your Chair, and I’m honored to have worked in concert with many talented women and men to help move our community forward.

Thank you for your investment in empowering the work of the Chamber!

– Jeff Gronberg

Distinguished Service Award 2020 winners (L-R): Mayor Paul Finley, City of Madison Chairman Dale Strong, Madison County Commission Mayor Tommy Battle, City of Huntsville

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The Year

4

2021in Pictures

Chip Cherry,

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

cce President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Meghan Nazario Business Administration Specialist

We endeavored to understand how the issue of equity was impacting our community. We engaged the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) to create a dashboard that would allow us to discern how different Census tracks in Huntsville’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) have benefited from our recent growth. Two teams from a UAH graduate research class helped by digging in deeper on the information provided by PARCA and other sources. A task force then zeroed in on a strategy of providing assistance to Minority Small Business Start-Ups. The Minority Business Accelerator program hosted by the Greenville, South Carolina Chamber is identified as one of the top programs of its type in the U.S. In April 2022, a small working group from Huntsville will visit Greenville to learn from their experience with the goal of launching a similar program here.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Mary McNairy,

iom Vice President

Joe Watson Facilities Supervisor

Kim Weeks Accounting Specialist - Receivables

Jennifer Prewitt Event Coordinator

Stefanie Davis Resource Desk Coordinator 5

Huntsville No. 5 Place for Career Opportunities in the U.S. (Aug. 2021)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Huntsville Best Affordable Place to Live in U.S. (July 2021) Huntsville 3rd Best Place to Live in U.S. (July 2021)

The Chamber is the lead economic development organization for Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County – one of the most dynamic economies in the United States. Even during a global pandemic, our economy grew through expansions and new projects across our targeted industries of aerospace, defense,

Huntsville named one of Tech’s most resilient hubs (June 2021)

“Huntsville’s economy will expand on par with the U.S. pace over the coming year, led by manufacturing, professional services and construction.

Longer term, the concentrations of manufacturing and aerospace-related industries, a highly educated labor force, and above-average population growth will enable the metro area to outperform the nation.”

– Moody’s Analytics (December) 6

advanced manufacturing, information technology, and life sciences.

Lucia Cape,

cce Senior Vice President, Economic Development & Workforce

Ken Smith

Senior Director, Research & Information Services

NEW

1,503

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

EXPANDING

NEW JOBS

$2.7B

POPULATION

LABOR FORCE

for 16-county labor shed which includes Alabama counties: Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Jackson, Marshall, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Marion, & Winston; and Tennessee counties: Lincoln, Giles, & Franklin.

1,302,106

600,782

2020 Census

December 2021

2010-2020 Population Growth

94,924

(7.9%)

2010-2021 Labor Force Growth

32, 413

(5.7%)

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Support for Armed Forces ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION (June – August)

• Hosted Gold Star Families reception in

conjunction with a Trash Pandas game.

• The Proclamation signing ceremony was held

at the Veterans Memorial, and the AFC Concert in the Park, featuring the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence band, included a fireworks show at Big Spring Park.

• Hosted the AFC Luncheon at the VBC. • A Redstone vs. Community Leader softball game was held at Toyota Field.

• AUSA hosted their Armed Forces Celebration golf tournament.

• Special Thanks to Jim Myles for his leadership of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee and his support at all of the events listed.

REDSTONE UPDATE

• Hosted the Redstone Update with morning briefings followed by a luncheon featuring LTG Donnie Walker.

FIELD STUDIES PROGRAM

• Hosted two delegations of international military officers attending the Field Studies Program, in partnership with the Air Force War College at Maxwell AFB (Montgomery).

Support for Space REDSTONE ▶ SPACE COMMAND HQ

• The Air Force announced that Redstone Arsenal

• Co-hosted a Space Policy event with the U.S

• The Command will transition to Redstone over

• Supported a virtual human space exploration

had been selected as the permanent site for the U.S. Space Command HQ, pending completion of the NEPA environmental assessment. the course of the next six years.

SCHRIEVER SPACE SCHOLARS

• The Redstone Regional Alliance hosted two

delegations of military officers participating in the Schriever Space Scholar program.

• Worked in partnership with the Air Force War College at Maxwell AFB (Montgomery).

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NASA & SPACE POLICY Chamber, “Path to Artemis III, the Future of Human Space Exploration” in February.

Video link: bit.ly/artemis-3

advocacy event with members of Congress.

• Hosted receptions for the NASA Administrator

Sen. Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy during their visit to Huntsville and the Marshall Space Flight Center.

• Co-hosted a media briefing in September to

raise awareness of the Artemis missions and Huntsville/MSFC’s role supporting this mission.

Mike Ward,

cce Senior Vice President

Amberly Kimbrough Event Specialist

Annual Events LOCAL GOVERNMENT EVENTS

• Hosted the virtual State of the County Address with Chairman Dale Strong in January.

• Hosted the annual State of the City

Address with Mayor Tommy Battle in November.

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

STATE GOVERNMENT EVENTS

The Chamber represents the business interests of

• Hosted a virtual Alabama Update with

the Huntsville/Madison County area on all levels

Governor Kay Ivey in June, with over 500 reservations for the event.

• Held two Legislative Updates in 2021

– a virtual event in January and a second update in December. Each featured Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mac McCutcheon; Sen. Arthur Orr, chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, and Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels.

of government, promoting policies and legislation that enhance the economic prosperity of the region.

Federal spending on Defense, Space, and Homeland Security accounts for nearly half of the Huntsville Metro GDP. As a result of the importance of this sector to our economy, much of the Chamber’s government and public affairs efforts are focused on the growth and protection of Redstone Arsenal and these related activities.

• Hosted the Annual Outing at Ditto

Landing in October, honoring all of the federal agencies and commands based on Redstone Arsenal. The event sold out quickly.

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Erin Koshut Executive Director

CUMMINGS RESEARCH PARK

Cummings Research Park (CRP) is the Nation’s second largest research park with 3,843 acres and more than 300 companies.

We manage, internally market, and promote CRP to expand industry and recruit new companies to a vibrant and connected community that fosters ingenuity, creativity, and scientific achievements that solve our Nation’s most complex challenges.

Stay tuned for CRP’s 60th Anniversary in 2022!

@CRPHSV 10

DIGITAL MARKETING

3

NEW PROFILES

Ran electronic billboard campaigns in CRP travel zones (Sept.–Dec.)

SPECIAL EVENTS U.S. PARALYMPICS CYCLING OPEN

100+ para-cyclists came to Huntsville for two days of racing in CRP, competing in time trials and road racing. Many of these athletes went on to compete in the Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.

RIBBON CUTTINGS & GROUNDBREAKINGS

BUSINESS SCHOOL CYBER LAB

STAYING CONNECTED • Hosted Popsicle events in the summer as a way to offer a little treat to those in and around CRP.

• Continued safety and health measures in our Food Truck Fests,

enabling us to operate and grow these events in the 2021 season.

• Collaborated with Christmas Charities Year Round (which was

founded by Milton Cummings, CRP’s namesake) to stuff Christmas stockings again.

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AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING VIRTUAL HIRING EVENTS (4 events) 750+ job seekers participated in these virtual events to connect with hundreds of job opportunities in our growing automotive manufacturing industry.

ASmartPlace ON THE ROAD

(2 events)

We hosted 23 employers at Auburn University and were on the road “in Huntsville” with 25 companies to engage local students from The University of Alabama during their winter break. Employers discussed internship, co-op, and full time positions.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

(November)

In February, we virtually hosted the 9th annual State of the Schools event in partnership with The Schools Foundation, to update our business community about the ongoing efforts by our schools to ensure all students are prepared for a smart future. We celebrated the resiliency of our teachers, students, and community during this unprecedented time. The event was a success with more than 400 people viewing.

80+ high school career coaches from across the state learned about smart careers in our region and pathways to obtain them. Educators were taken on tours of two businesses and heard from hiring managers at six additional companies in our target industries.

CHILD CARE: A WORKFORCE DISCUSSION

(November)

In collaboration with the Alabama Partnership for Children, we hosted 75+ employers, community partners, and child care leaders for a discussion and work session about the state of childcare and its impact on workforce.

In April, 21 employers and our local community colleges participated in our virtual Senior Sprint recruiting event to connect with local high school seniors who were actively seeking postgraduation opportunities.

MANUFACTURING MONTH CAMPAIGN We spotlighted local manufacturing employees throughout the month of October to help align parents, students, teachers, and community partners with the broad career opportunities available to them.

Featured 21 employees from 8 companies:

• People reached: 25.9K • Clicks: Over 750 • Reactions: Over 1.1K 12

@ASMARTPLACE

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE

Hiring Our Heroes partnership

We are passionate about developing, recruiting, and

• Inaugural cohort of Corporate

retaining smart people in our region. In 2021, we hired

• 100% of participating service

a vice president of workforce to lead our multifaceted talent initiatives and to raise the profile of the work we are doing for our members. The Chamber took the lead on the childcare issue, found new ways to connect people with good jobs, and piloted campaigns to inform our ongoing recruitment and marketing efforts with target audiences. We remain focused on minimizing barriers to employment while maximizing awareness of the in-demand jobs in our region.

Corporate Fellowship Program Fellows launched.

members converted to fulltime employment with their sponsoring company upon completion of the fellowship.

Advanced Manufacturing Virtual Hiring Event Pilot (December)

• Virtual, boutique hiring

event with 8 Huntsville-area employers to engage with military-connected job seekers from across the country

TALENT MARKETING

CAMPAIGN

Lucia Cape,

cce Senior Vice President, Economic Development & Workforce

Lyndsay Ferguson Vice President, Workforce Ran digital ads at four space and defense conferences that earned 6 million impressions among our target audiences.

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Kristy Drake Vice President

Tina Blankenship

Membership Account Executive

Richard Bigoney

Membership Account Executive

INVESTOR RELATIONS &

Jamie Russell

Investor Relations Support & Program Specialist

MEMBERSHIP

For over 126 years, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber has been serving area businesses by creating a wealth of opportunities to gain expertise and knowledge, build meaningful relationships, engage with elected officials, and positively influence the economy.

Crystal Baker

Membership Retention Specialist

Member Companies

by Size 1-5

employees

6-20

employees

Today, we represent over 2,000 member

21-50

companies in the Tennessee Valley and

51-100 employees

beyond, and we’re driven by the needs of our

101+

employees

employees

members – from local entrepreneurs and small businesses to middle-market companies and global corporations – to provide leadership on issues important to the business community and to create a dynamic business climate for all businesses to succeed.

15 emissaries

80 ambassadors 14

245

PARTICIPATING MEMBERS

896

SPONSORSHIP CONTRACTS

$1,171,620 IN SOLD RESERVED TABLES/SPONSORSHIPS

Annual Sponsorship Campaign Supported by 11 volunteers

Thank you for your continued support of our events during 2021! Your strong engagement helps us continue our mission, and we truly appreciate our members standing by us through the shift to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Total Membership 2,030

New Member Sales 15

48 4

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES EVENTS Total Participants: 873 (10% increase from previous year) Topics included: Basic & Advanced Computer Skills, Team Building, Creating a Business Continuity Plan, How to Build a Comprehensive Marketing Plan, Cyber Insurance, and more.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL EVENTS Total Participants: 126 (virtual events) Panel Discussions: How to Create an AwardWinning Work Environment, How to Retain Employees, and Tips to Prevent Burnout

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SIGNATURE EVENTS Total Participants: 2,278

• Annual Membership Meeting • Best Places to Work® Awards • Chamber Golf Classic • Small Business Awards Celebration • Holiday Open House

Housed at the Chamber, the UAH SBDC continues to provide a full suite of business services to the small business and entrepreneurial community of north Alabama. SBDC and PTAC are made up of a knowledgeable team of professionals who are quick to provide expert business advice and services to all those the Chamber refers to them. In addition, the UAH SBDC provides essential updates from the Small Business Administration that the Chamber, in turn, is able to share with the small business community.

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Jobs Created: 189

Growth Capital Accessed: $7.3M

New Business Starts: 43

Clients served: 594

SMALL BUSINESS & EVENTS

As 2020 ended and 2021 began, the Small Business office continued to strive to meet businesses where they were by offering professional development programming and signature events. With the surge in COVID-19 cases impacting the community, networking events were put on hold, but by the 4th quarter of 2021 during a brief reprieve from the pandemic, the Chamber was able to host the highly anticipated Best Places to Work® Awards, the Small Business Awards Celebration, and everyone’s favorite kickoff to the holidays, our annual Holiday Open House.

Partnerships continued with small businesses (through programs like “getyourgifton” and the #shoplocal campaign), UAH Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Alabama A&M University, and the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, which provided instructional support that allowed us to offer online professional development classes. In addition to businesses and institutions, the Small Business office continued to work with its dedicated volunteers who make up the Women’s Business Council (WBC).

While trying to engage and provide support for women in business through virtual events, this group contributed to the Chamber’s policy agenda by providing recommendations for the Chamber’s State Agenda.

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REALPAGE

Huntsville named one of the country’s Top 10 Zoom Towns (Nov. 2021) COMMERCIAL CAFÉ

Huntsville #3 for life quality, #4 for tech job density (Nov. 2021) THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Huntsville named one of the country’s Top 10 Emerging Housing Markets (Oct. 2021) MONEY

Madison, Alabama: #12 Best Place to Live in the U.S. (Sept. 2021) BUSINESS INSIDER

Huntsville one of the winners of the pandemic migration boom (Aug. 2021) STESSA

Huntsville leads the U.S. in economic growth (July 2021) BUSINESS FACILITIES

Huntsville #4 Millennial Magnet, #6 for Tech Hubs (July 2021) NICHE

Huntsville on 2021 list of Best Places to Live (May 2021)

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS The need for up-to-date, accurate information to help your business has never been more critical. The Chamber has continued with steady communications since the start of the pandemic to provide answers and insight. These include web updates with local experts and legal analysts to answer your questions. We share information through several channels, including traditional media, digital and social media, as well as our long-running print publication, Initiatives magazine.

MEDIA ACCOLADES WALLETHUB

Huntsville is among the Top 20 Best Cities to Start a Career (May 2021) PUREWOW

Huntsville is among the 10 Coolest Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in the U.S. (Feb. 2021) MILKEN INSTITUTE

Huntsville #10 in 2021 Best Performing Cities Index (Feb. 2021) 18

Claire Aiello Vice President

Hiroko Sedensky Web Designer

Kristi Sherrard Graphic Designer

Kayla Brown Communications & Social Media Specialist

PUBLICATIONS & EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS

249

Total emails sent: Reach per month: 87,727 Average open rate: 30.30% (Nonprofit industry average is 25.17%)

21,904 10,000

Total reads of Chamber digital publications: More than 101,463 impressions Average read time = 5:36

Approximate number of readers of INITIATIVES bi-monthly magazine

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Stats of

users

579, 499

page views

Top page on our site: MOVERS

12,136 views

14,545

hsvchamber.org

265,218

followers

& SHAKERS

10,922 9,340 3,060 19

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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Jeff Gronberg

Greg Brown

Kevin Byrnes

Ron Poteat

Jeff Samz

President/CEO, deciBel Research, Inc.

CFO/Co-CEO, Brown Precision, Inc.

VP, Strategic Consulting Services, Navigator International, LLC

Head of Customer Exp., Regions Bank

BOARD CHAIR

CHAIR-ELECT

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

CHAMBER FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

CEO, Huntsville Hospital Health System

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Dr. Karockas Watkins

Lynn Troy

Craig Naudain

Sameer Singhal

McKinley James

CEO/President/Executive Director, Ability Plus, Inc.

CEO, Troy 7, Inc.

President & CEO, CFD Research Corporation

Plant Director, Polaris Industries, Inc.

VICE CHAIR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

VICE CHAIR Economic Development & Workforce

VP / Operations Manager, SAIC

VICE CHAIR Government & Public Affairs

VICE CHAIR HREGI

VICE CHAIR Marketing & Communications

Jim Rogers

Jami Peyton

Joe Ritch

April Mason

Alicia Ryan

VP, Army Programs Integration, Lockheed Martin Corporation

CEO, Canvas, Inc.

Shareholder, Dentons Sirote PC

CEO, LSINC Corporation

VICE CHAIR Membership

VICE CHAIR Small Business & Events

VICE CHAIR Tennessee Valley BRAC

GM Administration, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

CHAIR-APPOINTED

CHAIR-APPOINTED

Frank Williams

Tommy Battle

Paul Finley

Dale Strong

Chip Cherry, CCE

Owner-Operator, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Mayor, City of Huntsville

Mayor, City of Madison

Chairman, Madison County Commission

CHAIR-APPOINTED

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Blake Bentley

David Bier

Penny Billings

Thomas Busby

Katie Comer

Tom Conard

Brett Crain

SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center

Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.

BancorpSouth - Huntsville

South State Bank

Facebook Data Center

The Boeing Conpany

Huntsville Tractor & Equipment Inc.

Melissa Davis

Mike Dewitz

John Eagan

Kevin Fernandez

Owen Franklin

Joni Green

Parsons

BB&T, now Truist

Ginger Harper

MTA, Inc.

Fernandez Financial Group

Blue Summit Supplies

Five Stones Research Corporation

First Horizon

Laura HuckabeeJennings

Josh Herren

Jan Hess

Lee Holland

Tharon Honeycutt

Amanda Howard

Yulista

Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.

Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC

MSB Analytics, Inc.

Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty

Transcend, The Fearless Co.

Lauren Johannesmeyer

Michelle Jordan

Sean Kelly

Clint Kirkland

Todd May

TARCOG

Regions Bank

Progress Bank

KBR

Tyce Hudson

Hank Isenberg

Turner Construction Company

IronMountain Solutions

Lincoln Hudson Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Google Fiber, Huntsville

Bob McCaleb

Kevin McCombs

Alana Parker

Zack Penney

Chris Russell

Beth Sippel

Wayne Sisco

Northrop Grumman Corporation

BAE SystemsElectronic Systems

Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc.

Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi

Cadence Bank

Synovus

Redstone Federal Credit Union

Tom Stanton

Sandra Stephens

Dr. Mitch Stevison

Nilmini Thompson

Mark Vaporis

Mike Watkins

John Watson

ADTRAN, Inc.

Keel Point, LLC

Mercury Systems, Inc.

Systems Products and Solutions, Inc.

Intrepid

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Torch Technologies

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2021 hregi investors

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) ■ Crestwood Medical Center Dynetics, Inc. ■ General Atomics Electromagnetics Lockheed Martin Corporation ■ Meta ■ Raytheon Technologies SAIC ■ SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. ■ Torch Technologies ■ Yulista

CHAMBER TRUSTEES

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL

Akima, LLC ■ Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Intrepid ■ Jerry Damson Honda Acura KBR ■ Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. Parsons ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc. SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus Turner Construction Company

PROGRESS PARTNERS

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

Ability Plus, Inc. ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne ■ Amazon ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. ■ ASRC Federal ■ B.L. Harbert International, LLC ■ Baron Services, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BB&T, now Truist ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brown Precision, Inc. ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ Colliers International ■ Connected Logistics (LogC2) ■ Corporate Tax Advisors Inc. ■ Davidson ■ First Horizon ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ Marsh & McLennan Agency, locally known as J. Smith Lanier & Co. ■ The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) ■ PNC Bank ■ Progress Bank ■ Radiance Technologies, Inc. ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ Robins & Morton ■ RUAG Space USA Inc. ■ South State Bank

REGIONAL PARTNERS

■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ Venturi, LLC ■ Woody Anderson Ford

PROGRESS INVESTORS Accenture Federal Services ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty ■ Avion Solutions ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BancorpSouth ■ Bell Textron Inc. ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Cadence Bank ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ CGI Federal ■ Coast Personnel Services ■ Corvid Technologies LLC ■ deciBel Research

LEADERSHIP FORUM

■ Deloitte ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ FITE Building Company ■ FLS Translation & Interpreting ■ Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates, LLC ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Garver, LLC ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ HEMSI ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ INTERFUZE Corporation ■ Investor’s Resource ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ KODA Technologies Inc. ■ L3Harris ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ PALCO ■ Phoenix ■ Pinnacle Solutions, Inc. ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace ■ Quadrus Corporation ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty, Inc. ■ Schoel Engineering Company, Inc. ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ Sigmatech, Inc. ■ Signalink, Inc. ■ Snelling ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ TriVector Services, Inc. ■ Troy 7, Inc. ■ TTL, Inc. ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A.

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Vision and strategy, coupled with effective implementation is what empowers our community ahead of our competition.

how investment dollars are spent Engaging in Public Policy and Advocating for Your Business and Our Community

Providing Opportunities and Resources for Small Business Support and Growth

Creating a More Diversified and Dynamic Economy Strategically Marketing Huntsville/ Madison County as ASmartPlace

The Huntsville Region has never been content to leave our future to the will of others.

We have a vision of what our future will be and are working strategically to realize that vision.

Many ask about the “secret to our success.” Well, one aspect of the “secret” is the resources provided to the Chamber through the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). HREGI funds allow us to punch well above our weight class, making us a stronger, more visible force in the national competition for economic growth. The Initiative’s overarching vision is for our community to become a primary center of technology in the South and in the nation. HREGI is designed to position the area as one of the leading economic growth centers in the Southeast and the nation. HREGI investors contribute funds in addition to their membership dues and sponsorships – they understand a rising tide lifts all boats, and the Chamber is working to raise the water level for everyone.

HREGI funds strengthen us in a multitude of ways. They help the Chamber market Huntsville for continued progress – dispelling the myth that the high tech and leading edge activities that our citizens engage in every day can’t happen here. Our efforts in education, childcare, talent development, and workforce recruitment are all enhanced because of the resources provided by our HREGI Investors.

Join those who understand what is possible when we take control of our future and strive to become the community we all believe is possible – become a HREGI Investor.

INVESTMENT LEVELS

Ensuring a Skilled and Available Workforce

Development Partner Development Council Chairman’s Council President’s Circle Leadership Forum Executive Council Chamber Trustee Progress Partner Progress Investor

For more information, please contact

Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org 256-535-2036 23

225 Church Street NW Huntsville, AL 35801 256-535-2000 phone 256-535-2015 fax info@hsvchamber.org

hsvchamber.org