HUNTSVILLE — As Limestone County grows and the city of Huntsville expands, Limestone County Economic Development Association President & CEO Bethany Shockney said communication is key to collaboration.
“These kind of conversations where it speaks to collaboration and regionalism is very important because none of us can operate in a silo,” said Shockney, during a recent regionalism panel with Huntsville City Council President John Meredith.
Limestone County is the fastest-growing county in Alabama and includes eight municipalities: Athens, Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Mooresville, Ardmore, Elkmont, and Lester.
“In my world of economic development, particularly for Limestone County, it’s wall to wall to the county line as far as my immediate responsibility,” she said. “But with the city limits coming over and spreading out into other counties outside of their base county, it’s imperative that we communicate.”
The Collaborative Regionalism panel recently convened at the Huntsville City Council chambers as part of the April installment of the City Council President Forum.
Hosted by Council President John Meredith, the panel provided insights into the collaboration needed to achieve common goals and address issues in the shared region.
Meredith said his district was a perfect example; he oversees a portion of Huntsville that stretches into Limestone County.
“If you live in District 5, Huntsville District 5 and you live in Limestone County, you are not going to get your power from Huntsville Utilities,” he said. “You’re going to get it in most cases from Athens Utilities.”
Meredith also alluded to Huntsville’s increased expansion into neighboring counties.
“Some people call Huntsville the 800-pound gorilla,” he said. However, ” … at least this part of Huntsville is not that 800-pound gorilla.
“We can get along. And if we do get along, it’s going to be better for everyone.”
Other panelists were Madison City Council District 1 Representative Maura Wroblewski, Athens Utilities Electric Services Director Hunter Allen, Madison County District 2 Commissioner Steve Haraway, Limestone County District 3 Commissioner Derrick Gatlin, and Harvest-Monrovia Water and Sewer General Manager Mike Oliver.
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