Drake State Earns National Manufacturing Accreditation

Drake State Community and Technical College has earned accreditation from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), a nationally recognized organization. The 2025 accreditation positions the college to meet growing demand for skilled manufacturing workers in 2026 and beyond, affirming its commitment to excellence in advanced manufacturing and workforce training. NIMS accreditation recognizes institutions that […]

LSINC Partners With Roland DG to Expand Global Distribution of Industrial Printers

LSINC Corporation has entered into a global distribution partnership with Roland DG Corporation, a provider of digital printing solutions. Under the agreement, Roland DG will distribute LSINC’s Peri-series industrial direct-to-object printers worldwide, building on a prior regional partnership and leveraging Roland DG’s existing sales and service network. Alicia Ryan, CEO of LSINC, said, “At LSINC, […]

Eli Lilly Plans $6 Billion Investment, 450 Jobs in Huntsville

Eli Lilly plans to invest more than $6 billion in Huntsville with the development of a new manufacturing facility, according to the company. The facility will focus on domestic production of small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines, including oral GLP-1 treatments. Once built, the project is expected to create approximately 450 jobs, including positions for […]

Defense technology company DuoTech expands to Huntsville with new operations center

DuoTech, a North Carolina-based defense technology company, is expanding its operations to Huntsville with a new 25,000-square-foot location in Thornton Research Park near Bridge Street Town Centre. The facility will open in Spring 2026.  Duotech’s Vice President of Business Strategy, Robert Cox, said the Rocket City’s strong defense industry and skilled workforce were crucial factors […]

Drake State Creates Endowed Scholarship Honoring Ellenae Fairhurst

Drake State Community and Technical College has established the Ellenae Fairhurst Endowed Scholarship in recognition of automotive executive and entrepreneur Ellenae Hart-Fairhurst. The scholarship honors her professional contributions and lasting impact on the industry. Once fully funded with a principal gift of $500,000, the endowment will provide a permanent source of financial support for Drake […]

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 […]

Toyota Adds 350 Jobs to Huntsville Plant, Invests $282 Million in New Production Line

This week, Toyota Alabama began production on three new part lines for differentials that are vital to the company’s Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia trucks.  These new differential production lines represent a $282 million investment from the manufacturer, along with the addition of 350 jobs at the Huntsville plant.  A differential enables the wheels on the […]

Rocket City Rewind: The Humes Legacy in Huntsville’s Industrial Dawn

It is often determined that visionaries throughout history were ahead of their time, but Captain Milton Humes and his wife were very much “of their time” as Huntsville’s elite. One of the most prominent attorneys in Alabama and known throughout the South, the Captain became a leading player in creating the North Alabama Improvement Company […]

Strong: North Alabama Ready for Golden Dome, SPACEPORT, and More

If Congressman Dale Strong is reading the tea leaves right in Washington, D.C., the Tennessee Valley will be getting more than Space Command. “I believe that North Alabama will play an even larger role in Golden Dome than many of our own people here believe,’’ Strong, who represents Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, told the Huntsville […]

Space Command Headquarters Move Sparks Local Optimism — and Questions

Huntsville leaders gathered on September 3 for a press conference to outline what the permanent relocation of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters will mean for North Alabama. The event followed federal confirmation earlier this week that Redstone Arsenal is the official choice after years of evaluation and political debate. Preparing for Relocation Lucia Cape, Senior […]