Top 5 Takeaways from Mayor Tommy Battle’s 2025 State of the City Address

On Friday, November 14, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle delivered his annual state of the city address at the Saturn Ballroom at the Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville. Over 1200 people attended the event.  During his speech, he celebrated the city’s significant economic, population, and job growth, attributing it to strong federal partnerships with entities […]

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 […]

Drake State Enrollment Surges 19%, Reaching Highest Levels in 10 Years

Drake State Community and Technical College reported its highest enrollment growth in more than a decade for Fall 2025, enrolling 1,417 students—a 19% increase from last year’s 1,187. Credit hour production also rose 23% to 10,760 hours. “This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, our community partnerships, and […]

Akima Subsidiary to Develop Air Force T-7A Maintenance Training System

Akima has announced that its subsidiary, Pinnacle Solutions, has been awarded a Training Systems Acquisition IV (TSA IV) delivery order by the U.S. Air Force to design, develop, and deliver the T-7A Maintenance Training System (MTS). The project, which supports the Air Force’s next-generation training platform, carries a total potential value of $369 million over […]

Huntsville Veteran’s Experience Shapes Mission-Critical Technology

As a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, Ryan Welch didn’t think about equipment manufacturers when he was in the middle of a mission. If he knew the name of the equipment company, it probably meant something had gone wrong. The best products worked reliably, earning trust without fanfare. For Ryan, that’s the kind of trust BAE […]

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 […]

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 […]

First Horizon Bank Invests $150K to Boost Huntsville Startups

First Horizon Bank is committing $150,000 to support Huntsville’s expanding startup ecosystem through programs run by gener8tor. The funding supports gBETA Huntsville and Spark at MidCity, delivered in partnership with gener8tor, a nationally ranked startup accelerator and venture capital firm, and the Apollo Coalition. By leveraging the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit Program, First Horizon is […]

Huntsville Town Halls Begin Tonight as City Marks Community Planning Month

To mark national Community Planning Month, Huntsville’s Planning Department will hold a series of town halls throughout October in four of the city’s five council districts, beginning tonight. The events are part of an ongoing effort to highlight the department’s role in shaping Huntsville’s growth and development. Mayor Tommy Battle issued a proclamation, and members […]