On August 1, at 4 p.m., the Huntsville City Council President sat down with a panel of guests representing business resources in Huntsville to raise public awareness of and help facilitate economic growth in Huntsville.

This economic discussion was the August installment of the Your City, Your Huntsville City Council President’s Forum, hosted by City Council President John Meredith.

The guest speakers were representatives of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, South Huntsville Main Business Association, Downtown Huntsville, Inc., and North Huntsville Business Association. Each organization’s representative delivered a presentation about their goals and operations.

Lucia Cape of Huntsville/Madison County Chamber explained that in addition to leading redevelopment in Cummings Research Park, the Chamber also provides resources assisting small businesses, government affairs, and investor relations among other unnamed areas of interest. In 2022, Cape said, the Chamber represented projects that created 580 new jobs, representing $391 million in capital investment.

Brenda Conville of the South Huntsville Main Business Association said that in addition to hosting several events a year that allow South Huntsville businesses to promote their services, the organization led the appeal to designate South Huntsville as an Alabama Main Street. T

he Alabama Main Street designation is meant to enhance a community’s tax base, drive entrepreneurship, and create partnerships among key community groups, according to Alabama Main Street’s website.

Robert Buddo, President and CEO of Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (DHI) explained that the organization’s goals include strengthening the urban environment. Buddo emphasized the organization’s focus on relieving “density” downtown.

He said that while the live, work, play component of downtown makes the area extremely attractive, there are very few vacancies in office space. Downtown Huntsville, Inc. is currently creating a report intended to highlight how much office inventory downtown will need to develop in the coming years, to be released to the public in September.

DHI also assists small businesses in navigating city processes and receiving state incentives as well as focusing on downtown marketing and public relations.

Reggie McKenzie, North Huntsville Business Association President, explained that North Huntsville Business Association, similarly to that of South Huntsville, supports and promotes North Huntsville businesses.

McKenzie cited Toyota and the school board as sources of development in North Huntsville. He also said that that development has led to a group of investors coming to discuss development in North Huntsville with the city.

McKenzie also expressed pride in the area’s housing development saying that houses near the Johnson Legacy Center are selling for an average of $350,000, which is “unheard of” in North Huntsville.

Speaking to the goal of this and other City Council President’s Forums, Meredith said, “purpose of the forums is to provide residents the opportunity to find out more about various aspects of their municipal government in an informal environment that fosters both transparency from and interactivity with your council president, as well as other city and community leaders.”

The Your City, Your Huntsville City Council President’s Forum is hosted on the first Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the 1st Floor Chambers of City Hall. Sessions are also available for live, remote viewing on HSV-TV.