Facebook “likes” us! The social tech giant picked Huntsville for the site of its newest data center – a $750 million, 970,000 square foot facility in North Huntsville Industrial Park. The Facebook announcement reveals the identity of Starbelt LLC, the company Council supported in a development agreement in May. The data center brings 100 new jobs to start with the potential of more to come. “Likes” all around!
Downtown Huntsville Inc., and the Committee of 100 brought in a national advocate for healthy municipalities to engage membership in a series of workshops and lectures. Our City team had the opportunity to meet with Chuck Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns, to talk how cities can do a better job structuring their municipal funding. Strong Towns advises communities to take a data-driven, sustainable approach toward healthy growth.
The Huntsville Madison County Builder’s Association invited me to attend a gathering and discussion on ways we can strengthen our partnership. We talked about operations and how a lot of young people working in the trades may not know all rules and regulations as the older people do and they might be having a harder time navigating expectations. It’s all part of a growing economy. Our job is to make sure people can be successful and to work with them. If there is a problem, we need to tell them how to solve it. Their success is our success.
South Huntsville was selected as one of three new Main Street designated communities in Alabama this year by Main Street Alabama, a non-profit that uses public-private partnerships to stimulate towns. The organization hosted a news conference to outline a three-year plan with the South Huntsville Business Association to help redevelop and revitalize the South Parkway corridor. It’s good timing and a good strategy now that the overpass construction is wrapping up. This could be a good model for North Huntsville, too, after we complete work on the new overpass at Mastin Lake. Construction is expected to start in 2019.
Finally, Council Members and I recently toured the new facilities at the Burritt Museum and a lot is happening up there on the mountain. The recreation of the Rosenwald School is complete, open and fully furnished, and students have the opportunity to learn about an important part of our history. I encourage you to visit the Burritt along with all of the City’s museums and attractions.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments at contact@huntsvilleal.gov or by calling 256-427-5000.