Property Taxes Are 6.9% Of Alabama’s Tax Revenue, Lowest in U.S.

Despite many economic experts’ worst fears early in the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local government budgets have proven resilient over the last two years. With much of the economy shut down or hobbled as a result of the pandemic, forecasters initially worried that states and localities would collect substantially lower amounts of sales and income […]

13.5% of Huntsville Purchase Loans are for investment properties, 11th most in U.S.

In the heated residential real estate market of the last two years, one factor contributing to fierce competition and rising prices has been real estate investors. While many prospective homebuyers were drawn into the market with historically low interest rates and strong savings and investment returns, they have frequently found themselves outbid by corporate landlords […]

Rent or Buy? A look into Huntsville’s housing market

Is it still cheaper to buy a house than it is to rent in Huntsville? A recent study from California based ATTOM Data Solutions found that while Madison County is included in the 58% of counties where it’s more affordable to buy a home, the gap between owning and renting is smaller than ever and […]

Where Huntsville ranks among metros most dependent on small businesses

Small businesses are the heart of the U.S. economy. Small businesses represent 99.9% of all businesses in the U.S., collectively employing nearly half of all U.S. employees and generating nearly half of U.S. annual GDP, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration. But the past two years have been treacherous for many small […]

Dip in housing sales suggest relief for buyers, renters

Back in May, for the first time in five years, residential sales in Huntsville dipped. According to the University of Alabama’s Culver College of Business, sales of residential units slowed by 4.4% compared to the first quarter of 2021.  While housing sales – and prices – have been soaring nationwide, Huntsville has been in a […]

Businesses Taking Steps to Smooth Transition Back to Physical Workspaces

As the pandemic wanes and most people are comfortably venturing out in public again, businesses are increasingly calling for employees to return to the office. While essential workers and those who solely relied on in-person interactions commuted to their jobs throughout the pandemic, many knowledge-based positions, particularly in the tech sector, shifted to strictly virtual […]

Making It Official: Starting Your Small Business, Part 7

This is the seventh part of a multi-part series that will help prospective entrepreneurs to develop the tools they need for a successful business venture.  Now that you’ve picked the perfect name for your new business, it’s time to make it official by taking the next step: registering your business. This is determined by your […]

Huntsville Population Boom Poses Challenges and Opportunities for Schools

It’s no secret that Huntsville, and Madison County as a whole, is the hottest scene in Alabama right now. The 2020 Census revealed that the county’s population had grown to 215,006, up from 180,105 just ten years prior.  The city of Madison increased its population by more than 25% in that same time period, and […]

What’s In A Name? Starting Your Small Business, Part 6

This is the sixth part of a multi-part series that will help prospective entrepreneurs to develop the tools they need for a successful business venture.  If you’re a parent, whether it be two-legged or four, you know what a big decision it was to choose the perfect name for your little one. With a child, […]

Building a Firm Structure: Starting Your Small Business, Part 5

This is the fifth part of a multi-part series that will help prospective entrepreneurs to develop the tools they need for a successful business venture.  Congratulations, your dream business is a step closer to becoming a reality! Now that you have a location selected, it’s time for a critical next step: selecting your business structure.  […]