Committed to Huntsville since 1995

"To serve as a catalyst in stimulating Huntsville-area economic development by working with community partners to develop cooperative solutions."

The Huntsville Committee of 100 was incorporated on October 31, 1995, as the Huntsville Industrial Expansion Committee of 100, along with its political action arm, BizPac. Its purpose was to stimulate economic development in our community and support qualified, business-oriented candidates for local office.

Our eight founders were Hall Bryant, David Byers, Jeff Enfinger, David Johnston, Dr. Oscar Maxwell, Gene Monroe, John Riche, and Joe Ritch. They established two principles that still guide us. First, the Committee of 100 is non-partisan, because we believe we are better together than apart. Second, our work focuses on three intertwined areas: long-term economic development, high-quality public education, and cooperative local government.

Membership is limited to individuals and is offered to business leaders of influence in the community. Today our members come from Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties, and 60 of them are young professionals.

Our approach has stayed the same for more than 30 years. We bring the right people to the table, plan for the long term, and stay with the work until it can stand on its own.

• Downtown Huntsville

  In 2012, the Committee helped stand up Big Spring Partners, which became Downtown Huntsville, Inc., giving downtown a dedicated organization focused on its growth.

• Regional planning

  A 2015 Creative Cities Fund event with town planner Victor Dover inspired Launch 2035, now the Launch Regional Partnership. It now covers 13 North Alabama counties, so the region plans for growth together instead of one city at a time.

• Singing River Trail

  The trail grew out of a 2016 Creative Cities Fund event with planner Mike Lydon. Planned as a regional greenway across North Alabama, it is designed to do more than connect communities. It creates new opportunities for health, education, tourism, and local jobs, and through its Launch Tank competition, it invests in entrepreneurs building businesses along the trail.

• Teachers

  In 2025, we completed our Raise Your Hand goal of raising $1 million for National Board Certified Teachers in Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County schools, so more of our teachers can earn the profession's highest credential.

• Workforce

  Across four events, Career Connect has drawn about 2,150 attendees. The most recent event, in October 2026, drew 350 attendees and produced more than 700 interviews, connecting local talent directly with local employers.

• Leadership

  BizPac interviews every candidate for the local offices it covers, and our members vote on every endorsement. Through the Political Training Institute, Young Professionals program, and John Riche Fellows, we develop the next generation of community leaders.