City Focus: Huntsville, Alabama

“I am personally most proud we have a community that genuinely works together and offers opportunity for everyone”

— Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle

The Rocket City last year staked its claim as Alabama’s largest city, as it now holds a population in excess of 215,000 people.

Huntsville continues to benefit from surging investment from the private sector, as industry has flooded the city in droves. Additionally, the public sector has consistently increased its presence in the Rocket City, as the federal government elects to station assets in what has become the national security hub of the United States.

As part of the City Focus series, 256 Today spoke with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

What has changed in the years since you were elected mayor in 2008?

“The biggest change in our community is that we have established a range of jobs for every sector of our city. We’ve been good at producing entry level jobs, and we’ve always had jobs for the rocket scientist, aerospace engineers and defense experts, but we lacked opportunities in the middle range. Ten years ago, when 200 jobs opened at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, more than 10,000 people applied. It told us a lot of people were underemployed. We went to work to recruit desirable partners in the advanced manufacturing sector and have been proud to expand our industrial portfolio to include companies like Polaris, GE Aviation and Mazda Toyota.”

“There are now opportunities for people out of high school and with some college and trade school experience to secure a good paying job. No one is left out of the workforce. It’s been important to us to ensure everyone has a chance to prosper so that we can truly come together as a community.”

“Fortunately, we also work well with our regional partners. Our belief is that a rising tide floats all boats. We recently returned from the National Space Symposium in Colorado and were assisting an industry leader from Courtland with a project. Jobs in Courtland help build an economy which bleeds into surrounding areas. All across North Alabama, we’ve repeatedly shown we can work together to provide jobs across the region. It’s an important factor to ensure jobs continue.”

What is the most exciting project Huntsville has recently undertaken?

“The most exciting project is our new amphitheater, the Orion. It is the byproduct of a music initiative we began several years ago to see how we could build a music economy.”

“We began with a music audit which led us to build a world-class amphitheater and to provide more performance venues such as the new Mars Music Hall in the Von Braun Center. Huntsville also hired its first full-time Music Officer, Matt Mandrella. It’s his job to wake up every day and focus solely on how to make Huntsville a great music city. We’re not doing this to try and become an Austin or a Nashville, but we recognize what a rich music culture has brought to those cities in terms of diversity and quality of life.”

“For Huntsville to thrive and attract new talent, we have to be a place people will want to live. If someone on the east or west coast gets a job offer in Huntsville, they’re going to look us up to find out what else we might have to offer beyond the 9 to 5 work day. Having a dynamic cultural scene along with great outdoor recreational opportunities in an inclusive and welcoming community are tops on our list.”

What are the biggest challenges facing Huntsville?

“The biggest challenge facing Huntsville is the same one facing the nation – developing and attracting the workforce of tomorrow. Your educational system must be strong from the bottom to the top to create a pipeline of talent.”

“Further, to attract new talent to your community, you need to have something for those people to do beyond daily work hours. As I mentioned in my previous answer, we’re focused on having a high quality of life for our community to ensure our environment matches the thousands of jobs coming here. It’s a great challenge to have.”

What is Huntsville most proud of?

“A lot of people would say it’s our role in propulsion systems that sent man to the moon and will do so again. Others might say it’s our leadership in national defense systems. These are certainly important points of pride, but I am personally most proud we have a community that genuinely works together and offers opportunity for everyone. We’re cognizant of what it takes to be cohesive, collaborative and inclusive. It’s who we are.”

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville?

“Unfortunately, it is to eat. I love going downtown and to other venues across the city and seeing the hustle and bustle of people getting out and coming together. There are so many restaurant options in Huntsville with a cuisine to suit every mood and palate. I enjoy visiting them all.”