​Huntsville and Madison County continue to shine because of our willingness to learn, partner, and share best practices.

- Nicole Jones

​Congratulations to LINE-X on your 30,000 square foot production facility near Huntsville International Airport. We enjoyed touring and learning about the myriad of ways your chemical coatings can be utilized in the public and private sector.
LINE-X products are very durable. Management invited me to stand on a traditional styrofoam cooler sprayed with LINE-X coating to demonstrate the strength. Thank you, LINE-X, for being a part of Huntsville.

​Favorite moment of the week: The Future

Tears of joy filled my eyes because I want my children to know, and all current and future leaders to know, that it is honorable and respectable to serve. And yes, you can be educated, be a business person, and love the Lord. Remember Who governs it all!

Work with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

There was a time in my life in which I spent a lot more time on farmland than my schedule currently permits. Friends nicknamed me a "Horse Whisperer." From that experience I developed an appreciation of the simplicity and peace associated with rural life. I still love and enjoy these opportunities. (It is also part of the reason why I named my son Hayden, which means “from the hay downs.”)

​April 27 is a day that will forever resonate with Alabamians. Today we pause to remember the families who lost loved ones on 27 April 2011.

#ttownneverdown #hackleburg #rememberalabama

It was an honor to speak with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe of Uganda, recipient of several global awards for humanitarianism. While in Huntsville a few days ago, Sister Rosemary shared the mission of a nonprofit she founded, Sewing Hope.

Sewing Hope: "Joseph Kony and the LRA (Lords Resistance Army) caused thousands to lose their lives and many more to suffer homelessness and a loss of hope. These woman and children want sustainable, long-term initiatives to become empowered to earn their own living and restore their dignity. Sewing Hope distributes the handbags and goods made by the young women of Uganda and South Sudan, giving them jobs, hope and a chance to live meaningful lives with dignity."
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Also, thank you to our other special guest pictured, Ms. Tonya Stafford, for traveling from Texas to speak to guests about human trafficking. These ladies are a blessing. Thank you.

​Thank you to everyone who came out to the Downtown Author’s Market at the Huntsville Public Library on Saturday. We have an excellent array of local talent, and it was a great opportunity for readers to interact with authors.

​Every year pillars within our community join together at the Heart Ball, an elegant celebration of life, with proceeds benefiting lifesaving research conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the state of Alabama and has affected many of us. We choose to support the American Heart Association because their organization has been working to save and improve lives from heart disease and stroke for more than 90 years, with scientific research at the core of all their efforts.

​Thank you to the Huntsville Green Team and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System for sponsoring yesterday's Butterfly Release at the City of Huntsville Earth Day Celebration! It was a beautiful experience!

Although a thunderstorm prevented today’s March for Babies, this group of dedicated staff members and volunteers planned this morning’s walk/run for months and deserve to be recognized. 

Alabama has a high rate of premature births. Thank you to the March of Dimes for funding lifesaving research and working to end premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality. 

We look forward to the March of Dimes Signature Chef fundraiser in the autumn! ​

Nisha Maliapur, the fifteen year-old Randolph School student pictured, raised over $25,000 in her first year of helping organize the Say No to Obesity 4K Run/Walk in Huntsville.

Studies rank Alabama as the second-most obese state in the nation. We can combat obesity through education and modeling how to make healthful food choices. The process starts young, as adults are more likely to emulate the diet of their childhood. And yes, folks can make good eating choices on a budget. It is never too late for someone to change his or her quality of life for the better!
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Many thanks to Dr. Ravindra Mailapur, his family, and all of the organizers, runners, and walkers who are assisting with education on an issue that affects so many Alabamians.

​We had a productive Strategic Planning Session with the South Huntsville Business Association (SHBA) this week. Topics discussed in detail included potential sites for redevelopment, biking and connectivity, membership development, and gateway areas. 

Business associations serve as a sounding board for interested parties to discuss how to create a sense of place within particular areas of town. Thank you to all of the members of the SHBA who participated in such an informative discussion.

There is a new conservative radio show in town - Politics and Moore with Shannon Moore and Ashley. Thank you for inviting me on the show recently to discuss economic development principles and how they apply to the Huntsville area.

By the way, I coined a new hashtag for you all - #talkMoore !
#talkMoore on Saturdays at 11AM on WVNN.
#alpolitics

God placed a little girl in my path today. While I was walking in the State House, she ran up to me, grabbed my hand, and said, “My name is Lydia Faith Ford, and I want to go to your house.” I kneeled down and told her she was beautiful and welcome at any time. She continued to hold my hand, walked a little more, and replied, “Will you carry me?” <3 “Yes; I would be honored.”
Out of the entire week, this moment touched my heart the most.

​It was an honor to host former Governor of Maryland Robert Ehrlich in Alabama last week and gain his insight on civic and fiscal responsibility.
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A very special thank you to Vicki Bailey and the leadership within the Alabama Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) for coordinating this thought-provoking luncheon and book signing!

​Alabama needs roads. The question of how we fund them will resurface in the Legislature, whether it be this Session or next.
Thank you to everyone who provided insight at yesterday's Town Hall meeting that highlighted the Gas Tax. Please continue to share ideas.