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At today's Washington Update Luncheon, our table, #77, had some enlightening conversations about ways to foster economic growth within Huntsville and Madison County. Education is an important part of the process, and I was pleased to begin a dialogue with new Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Matt Akin. Welcome to Huntsville, Dr. Akin, and thank you for your commitment to working with our area students, parents, faculty, and community.
I have dedicated my life to working for you. Thank you, Cathey Carney, for your countless hours of community service and for publishing a favorite read, Old Huntsville Magazine. It is always a pleasure to speak with you! 
Entrepreneurship is a key segment of Huntsville’s economy, and my family and I take pride in “shopping local” for goods and services. This afternoon we visited the Farmer’s Market at Lowe Mill to purchase homemade toffee and chocolate-covered strawberries from a local, family-owned and operated business.
Weather was superb in Huntsville yesterday for the Greene Street Market, an excellent outlet to purchase goods from local merchants and small businesses, the backbone of our economy. Thank you to all of the vendors for making Thursday evenings in downtown Huntsville so special. Every year a large delegation of membership from of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce travel to DC to learn about how federal legislation affects our local economy. Thank you for everyone for your contributions to this informative experience earlier this month.  The Brass Band of Huntsville played a beautiful and touching concert this evening entitled, “Amber Waves of Grain.” Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute to patriotism during Military Appreciation Month.   Thank you to Superintendent Matt Massey of Madison County Schools for hosting a 2017 State of the Schools Address this evening. I appreciate his insight on workforce development and partnerships between business/industry and the school system. Madison County Schools receives less funding when compared to nearby systems and therefore strives to remain competitive by investing in human capital. Thank you to the faculty, staff, parents, and businesses within the Madison County area for your work on behalf of our future leaders.
Today we witnessed THE AMERICAN DREAM: Meet Mr. Sam, a hardworking man who held two jobs while traveling from Tennessee to Huntsville to build his home with Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations on your beautiful home. Huntsville First United Methodist Church, First Missionary Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church, Latham United Methodist Church, Toyota, BBVA Compass, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and private citizens are just a few who banded together with Habitat for Humanity for the greater good. What a beautiful dedication ceremony. Remember who governs it all! Today at the Madison County Republican Mens Breakfast, Sheriff Blake Dorning announced his retirement, and during his remarks, he offered two valuable pieces of advice for all of us in business, in politics, and as Americans.
Racing for 7! The race continued this afternoon at the Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center for the North Alabama Region AACA's Annual Car Show. From Alabama-themed to Auburn-themed to one of the few Keller cars left in the world... I could not pick a favorite at this show, so I picked 7! Thank you to the North Alabama Region AACA for coordinating this event. This morning the City of Huntsville honored Glenwood Cemetery with a #ThisPlaceMattersHsv award. Thank you to everyone in our community who partnered in this historic revitalization and preservation effort. This week members of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce traveled to NASA facilities within the region to learn about the latest developments in space and their influence on our local economy. We are pictured here at NASA - Michoud, the seventh (7th) largest manufacturing facility in the world. The Pegasus barge just carried a 40,000-pound engine core from Michoud near New Orleans to Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville for testing. An overarching theme of the trip - Local, regional, and worldwide partnerships will allow the United States to lead in the Space Race again! Also, we had the incredible opportunity to tour the NASA - Stennis Space Center, home to RS-25 hot-fire testing, a method to demonstrate and certify engine operation at high performance levels for the world’s most powerful rocket -- the Space Launch System (SLS). Local, regional, and national partnerships will pave the way for the United States to lead in the Space Race again.
 On Saturday Lowe Mill hosted the Semi-Annual Car Boot Sale. Local artisans and vendors had a variety of products for sale from 12-4 that included handcrafted lamps, greeting cards, clothing, home décor, and collectibles. This is always a great way to “shop local” and support Lowe Mill at the same time. Thank you to everyone who coordinated this event.
It was a bittersweet Friday as I walked through the doors of El Palacio for the final time. Like so many folks in the area, my family and I have made great memories in your restaurant over decades. Thank you, El Palacio, for being a landmark Mexican restaurant in Huntsville for the past 51 years. We will miss you and wish you all the best in the new chapter of your lives!
Earlier in the week, four talented high school softball teams packed the Huntsville Metro-Kiwanis Sportsplex in preparation for the Softball Regionals. Congratulations to the Lady Senators for moving on to STATE! It as an absolute pleasure visiting with one if my favorite neighboring district teams, the Sparkman Lady Senators. Small businesses are an important segment of our economy. Congratulations to Boutique Station on your new location in downtown Huntsville. It was a joy to learn your story of progress, straight from your heart. We support you. Remember to Shop Local! Thank you to the Huntsville Pickleball Club for the lesson this week in Big Spring Park! Pickleball is similar to tennis. The Huntsville Pickleball Club hosts clinics and games throughout our city. #HealthyHuntsville    Community Partnerships: Drive a Ford like this on Thursday 11 May from 8AM to 5PM and support the Women's Economic Development Council.
Tomorrow at the US Space and Rocket Center join our friends at Woody Anderson Ford for Drive 4UR Community. Our local Ford dealership will donate $20 per test drive (one donation per family) to the Women’s Economic Development Council, an organization that promotes professional success for women. Thank you to Woody Anderson Ford and the Space and Rocket Center for partnering in this effort! Thank you to the City of Huntsville and Land Trust of North Alabama for hosting three Greenway Master Plan sessions, an informative way to gather ideas on how to integrate trails and bicycle lanes into our rapidly-growing city and county. It takes a team to build Huntsville, and it is important to have different methods of transportation to connect our 214+ square miles. |
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Dr. Nicole Jones
Post Office Box 667 Huntsville, Alabama 35804 Post Office Box 67 Arley, Alabama 35541 © COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |