How the $418 million NAR settlement will change Real Estate transactions in the Tennessee Valley

As part of the proposed $418M settlement to the NAR lawsuit, there’s going to be a few changes for both buyers and sellers in the TN Valley.  The first big change is that buyer agreements are now required before viewing a home. It’s always been a requirement to go over a RECAD disclosure (even though […]

CBRE secures $16.5M refinancing for Huntsville’s Westbury Square Shopping Center

CBRE Capital Markets’ Debt & Structured Finance team has successfully arranged a $16.5 million loan to refinance Westbury Square, a 117,689-square-foot neighborhood shopping center in Huntsville, Alabama. The CBRE team, consisting of Richard Henry, Mike Ryan, Brian Linnihan, and Taylor Crowder, represented Branch Properties, the owner of Westbury Square, which was acquired in March 2018. […]

Expanded HBCU innovation internship program welcomes new cohort and employer partners

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA) has teamed up with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., and Innovate Alabama to launch the second phase of the HBCU Innovation Internship Program. This fall, the program will welcome a larger group of eight interns, a significant increase from its initial launch. After […]

Huntsville prepares for AICyberCon: Exploring AI’s impact on cybersecurity

It’s been an interesting year so far in AI with several new models and product launches from voice to robotics.  I still feel that the market, especially Wall Street, is trying to grapple with the true value of this technology in the long term. As a city, we are in a similar position. The big […]

UAH launches first of its kind AFROTC Program

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, has officially launched its Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) operating location. This program is unique, marking the first of its kind for the Air Force or Space Force ROTC in the United States. “We are incredibly proud to bring […]

Bank Independent employee graduates from Campus to Career program

Victor Alves, a banker at Bank Independent, officially graduated from the year-long Campus to Career (C2C) professional development program on July 26th and has now stepped into his new role as a credit analyst within the bank’s credit administration department. “Victor has seized every opportunity presented by the C2C program with a genuine eagerness to […]

Drake State announces new program with goal of boosting local workforce development

Drake State Community and Technical College is introducing a new pilot program, the Skills for Success – Flooring Installation Technician course. This unique program, the first of its kind in the region, is being offered free of charge to participants. The course is specifically designed to equip graduates with the skills needed for a successful […]

How the Surest health plan helped improve access to care and lowered costs

Encouraging a healthier workforce has long been a priority for employers aiming to attract and retain top talent and spur productivity.    To help achieve these goals, many employers are opting for a more modern approach to health benefits such as the UnitedHealthcare Surest health plan, which is designed to help improve access to care with […]

A taste of Miami in Huntsville: Discovering Havanabama’s Cuban hospitality

“Cuban coffee is very powerful, very sweet, and a little dangerous — just like the people who drink it.” — Gloria Estefan.  So reads a quotation on the menu of Havanabama, an oasis of joy and hospitality — tucked into an inconspicuous strip mall on South Parkway.  It’s a Friday in late August, and I […]

Heart of the Valley YMCA files for bankruptcy

The Heart of the Valley YMCA has announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “Today, the Huntsville YMCA, also known as the Heart of the Valley YMCA, has filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama in Huntsville. This was a difficult decision for the […]