Committee

Economic Development

More than half of our city governments’ tax base is supported by local sales taxes, making it critical that the Huntsville area maintain and grow its position as the regional retail center for North Alabama. To compete, our community must develop incentives to stimulate retail development. The eight Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plans in the City of Huntsville enacted in the past few years are excellent examples. Strategic planning for retail growth and national marketing initiatives should also be expanded.

Downtown Development

While the Committee of 100 works on economic development issues throughout Huntsville, Madison, Madison County, and the incorporated areas of Limestone County, our members believe that healthy economic regions include a vibrant and active downtown. The Committee of 100 worked for four years to form and get non-profit IRS status for Big Spring Partners, a privately funded organization to stimulate downtown development. It was modeled after a successful organization in Chattanooga and launched in October 2004. The Committee of 100 also played a major role in forming Downtown Huntsville, Inc. in 2012 as a private, membership organization focused on economic growth and vitality and hire an experienced full-time CEO. The Committee of 100 continues to financially and politically support both organizations in their missions to bring new retail, residential, and commercial activity to stimulate the downtown economy and attract and retain the young professional workforce. The Committee of 100 also funded the first gateway to downtown Madison and continues to offer support to revitalization efforts.

Recruitment and Retention of Young Professional Workforce

To replace the expected high number of retirees and fill the anticipated growth in new jobs, the Huntsville-Madison County community must strategically recruit and work to retain young professional workers. The Committee of 100 has worked and continues to help strengthen young professional networking organizations and helps stimulate new groups within large employers. The Committee is also encouraging elected leaders to invest more in downtown development and the development of public parks, hiking trails, the riverfront and greenways, and quality of life features that are especially attractive to young professionals. We are also working with other organizations to involve college students and young professionals in the community and provide additional co-op and intern opportunities. For more information, please review the Huntsville Talent Magnet Report Summary. The Committee of 100 is partnered with the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County and The Arts Council on a research effort to evaluate the success of this plan and develop new strategies.

Regional Cooperation

he Committee of 100 works to encourage teamwork and cooperation among local governments, including the City of Huntsville, City of Madison and Madison County, believing we can accomplish greater success in economic development by working together. The Committee of 100 also works with other organizations and business leaders to encourage cooperative economic development efforts in the North Alabama region. The Committee of 100 has spearheaded a 20-year regional visioning effort — Launch 2035 — with area business leaders.

Education

The Huntsville Committee of 100 believes the #1 economic development issue in our community today is the quality of public education. The Huntsville area has enjoyed rapid job growth and prosperity in this community primarily due to the outstanding reputation of our three public school systems.

The Committee of 100’s members are actively engaged in public school issues and regularly attend school board meetings across the three systems. Throughout the last five years, we’ve invested in many programs to build a culture of excellence in our three public school systems. We are fully committed to having the highest concentration of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in the country. NBCTs are proven to increase student achievement and improve classroom management nationwide. Learn more about the Creative Cities Fund’s current campaign.

Major Current Projects Related To Education

2019-community-wide tax renewal
2019 – Generated funding for 100 new National Board Certified Teachers for Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County public schools; grants administered in partnership with The Schools Foundation.
2018– Funded a professional development experience for 600+ Huntsville City Schools teachers and a community-wide poverty simulation to increase understanding of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
2018 – Funded peer-to-peer mentoring programs to cultivate positive culture within local public high schools.
Support implementation of Alabama College- & Career-Ready Standards and other efforts to improve academic achievement in our three local school systems.
Improve career education and workforce readiness through the implementation of the PARCA Technical Education Plan in four targeted areas: advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare and hospitality.
Sponsor Business/Education Coalition to provide business support to all three local school systems and develop cooperative efforts to improve public education.

Major Accomplishments

BRAC

Formed 1st BRAC Committee with regional leadership and funding.
Hired consultant to produce economic impact data.
Developed concept for Generals’ homes.
Transferred management to Chamber.

Retail Development Incentives

Downtown Development

Young Professionals Workforce Plan

Career Workforce Education

Political Leadership Focus on Local Races