Limestone County (AL) Economic Development Association

#BREAKING: Manufacturers employ over 270,000 people in Alabama, and their annual economic output tops $40 billion.

We're looking for two certified crane operators to join our Athens team! If you’re interested in a challenging and dynamic career that involves heavy machinery and intricate lifting operations, you’ve come to the right place. At NexGen, our employees can gain valuable experience in a specialized industry while helping us lend a lifting hand to the progress throughout the southeast. Crane operator candidates must be NCCCO certified, and a Class A CDL is preferred. Click the link to apply now: https://lnkd.in/gZ3wb-AP #werehiring #craneoperator #craneoperators #athensalabama #athensal #northalabama #nexgencraneandrigging

Shape Corp. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Facility in Huntsville-Limestone County Ribbon-Cutting Event Marks Expansion of Operations and Job Growth Shape Corp., celebrated the grand opening of its second facility in Alabama. Located in Tanner, AL, the new facility is expected to create over 100 new jobs in the area over the coming year. Held on June 26, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the new 202,306 sq. ft. location in Southpoint Industrial Park. The event featured remarks from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly, Alabama Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Angela Till, and Mark White, President and CEO of Shape Corp. “This new facility represents our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the automotive industry,” said Mark White, President and CEO of Shape Corp. “By expanding our operations in Alabama, we are not only increasing our production capabilities, but also investing in the local community through job creation and economic growth. We are excited about the opportunities this new facility brings to both Shape Corp. and the North Alabama area.” The facility on Endeavor Way specializes in the production of lightweight aluminum and steel crash management and structural components for automobiles, enhancing vehicle performance and safety. In addition to aluminum and steel welding, the facility will introduce roll forming capabilities. Shape Corp.’s existing facility in Athens, Alabama, located on Roy Long Road, will continue its operations specializing in plastic injection molding, positioning Shape for continued growth and success in the future. Shape Corp. Made in Alabama - Alabama Department of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County Chamber City of Huntsville, AL

Skyfire Consulting (Skyfire) (skyfireconsulting.com), the most trusted and experienced public safety UAS consulting group, today announced its relocation from Atlanta to Huntsville, Alabama. This strategic move, aided in part by a partnership between the city and Huntsville International Airport positions Skyfire at the center of a thriving aerospace and defense hub, fostering collaboration and innovation within the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. “We are pleased to have an outstanding drone company like Skyfire choose Huntsville for its U.S. headquarters,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “Skyfire’s expertise in public safety and critical infrastructure UAS fits well into our aerospace and defense community. We welcome them to Huntsville and look forward to their growth and innovation.” Skyfire’s new home will be on the grounds of its innovative Rise DFR (Drone First Responder) Village, the nation's most advanced training ground for Drone First Responders (DFR). This one-of-a-kind facility provides public safety agencies, military/DOD, critical infrastructure, and private industry with best-in-class testing, training, and demonstration grounds to advance and adopt DFR programs. “Huntsville offers an unrivaled combination of factors that make it the perfect place for Skyfire to take flight,” said Matt Sloane, Founder and CEO of Skyfire. “The airport and city’s commitment to aerospace and defense, coupled with the collaborative spirit of Rise DFR village, provides us with unparalleled access to resources, talent, and inspiration. We are thrilled to become an integral part of this vibrant community.” “We are pleased that Skyfire is moving to our facility to join us as the newest tenant in the Huntsville UAS RTD Park,” said Butch Roberts, CEO, Huntsville International Airport. “We are glad that our infrastructure at Huntsville International will support their corporate headquarters’ move to HSV, and we look forward to them growing their presence in our community.” Photos: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Port of Huntsville - Huntsville International Airport

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 20, 2024, to celebrate the beginning of construction on Athens State University’s new Nazaretian Alumni House & Welcome Center. The Center, complete with historical artifacts, conference areas, and administrative offices, will house the University’s Office of Alumni Affairs and serve as a welcome center for alumni and campus visitors. The Alumni House will be named after Dr. Angeline (Angie) Nazaretian, a beloved individual who spent 42 years in service to the campus. She was a prominent leader in the community and spent numerous hours teaching swim lessons, working with the Special Olympics, and serving on leadership boards. She received many awards and recognitions throughout her career for her service to local and state initiatives. When she wasn’t working, Dr. Nazaretian spent her time ensuring that newcomers felt right at home through her memorable flower bouquets and handwritten notes. Visitors recall Dr. Nazaretian on the porch of her house, on the southwest corner of campus, waving at passersby and inviting them to come sit a spell. The original white Victorian cottage was built for Fortunatus S. Wood around 1902. Later in the 1920s, it was used by Henri Fusch Sr. as a school for boys known as Athens Academy. The long room in the back of the home was used as classroom space, and Mr. Fusch lived in the front. Years passed and the home exchanged hands, eventually sold to Dr. Nazaretian by the Hightower family in December 1973. Athens State University took ownership of the home in June 2014 when Dr. Nazaretian entered a full-time care facility. She passed away on March 17, 2019. “We are going to build this welcome center to help carry on the work that Dr. Nazaretian did,” said Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, President of Athens State University. “This facility will support our students and serve as a space to welcome our alumni back to campus where they know that they are part of our past, certainly, but they are also very much a part of our future.” “Miss ‘N’ made an impact for so many students at this institution,” said Betty Ruth Oliver, Athens State Alumni Association Board Member. “We would have students who wouldn’t have money for food, students who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from, but Miss ‘N’ was always able to find that student and help them. Through all of her years here, she was always here for our students and we were thankful for what she was doing.” The decision was made to raze the existing Nazaretian House and move forward with constructing a new facility due to the similarity in costs between renovating the original facility and building a new one. The new Alumni House will be a replica of the former Nazaretian House and will cost $1,150,000 to complete. Construction will begin immediately and is expected to be completed in June 2025.

We took business to the ball field and it was a BLAST ⚾️🎉 What a fun night spent hanging on the VIP Party Deck with our partners and members! All proceeds benefit Career Tech Scholarships, so thank you to our sponsors and everyone else who came out to make this year’s Business & Baseball a HIT! - Presenting Sponsor: Mazda Toyota Manufacturing - Gold Sponsors: Steelcase, Intech, Tenneco, Limestone Building Group, LLC - Silver Sponsors: Fite Building Company, Morell Engineering, Inc., TBAKI, LLC. Wanna see more 📸? Check out our Flickr: https://lnkd.in/gbVCXTMR #athensalabama #athensal #networking #chamberofcommerce #businessafterhours #economicdevelopment

Exciting times at the June Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce coffee at Parlor 127! 🌟 ☕️ Fantastic networking and community engagement with fellow community leaders. Together, we're building a brighter future! #CommunityStrong #Networking

The statewide economic/recreation initiative is asking the public to help shape the future of the state’s trail systems on the Sweet Trails Alabama statewide master plan. The plan aims to expand Alabama’s network of trails to promote outdoor recreation, tourism, health, and economic development. Singing River Trail | Sweet Trails Alabama

Congratulations to our partner, Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), on this recognition.

National business publication Area Development has selected Alabama for its Silver Shovel Award in recognition of major economic development project wins during 2023.