Entries by Kait Thursday

Holidays in Huntsville: How Shopping Local and Giving Back Strengthens the Economy

As the holiday season approaches, Huntsville residents have a powerful way to make an impact: support local businesses while giving back to the community. From small shops to major employers, the city’s business ecosystem relies on residents’ holiday spending and generosity to fuel economic growth and strengthen local services. Citizens Supporting Small Businesses Shopping locally […]

Protecting Growth: A Beginner’s Guide to Small Business Insurance in Huntsville

As Huntsville’s small-business ecosystem accelerates, insurance is becoming a strategic necessity rather than an afterthought. From new retailers opening along South Parkway to agile tech consultancies in Cummings Research Park, the city’s entrepreneurial climate comes with new forms of risk—and securing the right insurance can be the difference between a temporary setback and a long-term […]

Huntsville Police Honors K-9 Boomer as Retirement Highlights the Expanding Role of Working Dogs

The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) celebrated the retirement of one of its most respected four-legged officers this week: K-9 Boomer, an explosives-detection dog who has served the department and the community for six dedicated years. The event marked more than the end of a single K-9 career. It offered a look at how Huntsville’s rapidly […]

From Huntsville to the Future: KBR’s FIREFLY Laser Moves U.S. Defense Innovation Forward

Huntsville reaffirmed its role as a national center of defense technology on November 6, when KBR opened its doors for a rare demonstration of its FIREFLY high-energy laser system. Media and industry observers watched as a bright beam tracked and disabled a test target—offering a glimpse into how directed-energy weapons may soon counter the small […]

Madison Mompreneur’s Holiday Shopping Guide Builds on a Long Legacy of Area Women Entrepreneurs

As holiday shoppers across Huntsville and Madison look for ways to support local businesses, the new Madison Mompreneur Holiday Shopping Guide arrives at an ideal moment. Featuring more than 100 mom-owned businesses—from handmade goods to educational services—the guide is designed to make local shopping more accessible and more community-focused during the busiest retail weekend of […]

Huntsville Business Community Reaches $1 Million Milestone to Elevate Teaching Excellence

On November 6, business and education leaders gathered at Campus 805 to celebrate a significant milestone in public education investment: the successful completion of a $1 million fundraising campaign designed to support 500 teachers pursuing National Board Certification across Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County school systems. The Raise Your Hand initiative, a unique […]

Von Braun Center Unveils $15.3 Million Backstage Transformation to Boost Huntsville’s Growing Arts Economy

Last week, the Von Braun Center celebrated a milestone in Huntsville’s performing arts infrastructure with an open house unveiling its first major backstage renovation in nearly 50 years. The $15.3 million expansion of the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall modernizes behind-the-scenes spaces that support the city’s growing performing arts scene and world-class touring productions. Historic […]

In an Age of AI Disruption, Huntsville Firm Finds Room to Grow

Amid national headlines about corporate layoffs and economic uncertainty, some Huntsville businesses are still growing, a sign of resilience in the local economy. Capstone Research Corporation, a Huntsville-based defense contractor founded in 2019, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in Cummings Research Park. The facility expands the company’s labs, integration space, and […]

Higher Education Powers Huntsville’s Economy, but May Face Headwinds

The city’s higher education leaders are bullish on the future. At the 2025 State of Higher Education event hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, presidents from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Alabama A&M University, Calhoun Community College, and Drake State Community & Technical College outlined how their institutions are fueling Huntsville’s economic engine […]

How the 2025 Federal Shutdown Could Impact Huntsville and What Locals Can Do About It

On October 1, 2025, the United States entered a partial government shutdown after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown resulted from partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. The shutdown led to the furlough of approximately 750,000 federal employees. Essential services such […]