‘Rocket to Tomorrow’: Huntsville Mayor Battle delivers 17th State of the City address

HUNTSVILLE – In his 17^th State of the City address, Mayor Tommy Battle heralded the well-rounded growth and educational progress in Huntsville while celebrating the city’s proud heritage in America’s space program.

A capacity crowd of more than 1,200 people attended today’s Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Saturn Ballroom at the Von Braun Center.

“Sixty-five years ago, America launched the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville and in doing so, launched a new era of possibility.”

“Here in Huntsville, we don’t just dream about tomorrow – we build it,” Battle said.
“Every bridge, every road, every launch – every opportunity we create is part of that mission. From ribbon-cuttings on new greenways to breaking ground on new transportation corridors, we’re building for the Huntsville of tomorrow while meeting the needs of today.”

Battle touched on an array of topics affecting quality of life in Huntsville, ranging from road projects to music to economic developments and with an unyielding laser focus on providing the best educational opportunities for students.

As the city works to meet the needs of residents, Battle emphasized the solid financial operations of City Hall.

“We’re investing in projects that make this city stronger, safer, and more connected,” he said. “And through it all, we’ve stayed fiscally strong – maintaining our dual Triple-A credit rating while managing a city budget that delivers real results for our residents.”

In his address titled “Rocket to Tomorrow,” Battle also recognized NASA’s special anniversary in Huntsville.

“Sixty-five years ago, America launched the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville and in doing so, launched a new era of possibility,” the mayor said. “NASA’s 65^th anniversary is more than a milestone. It’s a reminder of what vision and courage can achieve.

“From Mercury to Apollo, from the Space Shuttle to Artemis, NASA’s story is our story.”