NEW YORK: Huntsville’s economic development team is led by the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County and relies on The University of Alabama in Huntsville as a key player. With Cummings Research Park and Huntsville/Madison County as the playing field, people rooting for Huntsville can expect good things.
The nationally recognized research done at The University of Alabama in Huntsville is closely interwoven with industry and government, and that is a powerful economic development tool, says Chip Cherry, Chamber president and CEO.
“We have enjoyed an unprecedented level of private sector success, and that’s because companies can see that they can succeed here,” Cherry says. “That’s because there’s a rich heritage here, with UAH being essential to our ability to provide the type of cohesion that is attractive to prospects. That’s essential because unity among local officials and institutions is something you can’t fake when a company is looking to locate in the area. Now we’re in the mode where we have great opportunities.”
Dr. Ray Vaughn, UAH vice president for research and economic development, sees supporting the Chamber of Commerce’s efforts as fundamental to UAH’s mission.
“Most universities assign the mission of economic development to their vice president of research, because of the direct relationship between research and the proliferation of research products into commercial uses and business startups,” Dr. Vaughn says. “We partner with the Chamber of Commerce, and we’re supporters of their initiatives. We’re part of the Huntsville team that recruits to this area. People are amazed at what this community can offer, and they are just as amazed that they didn’t know anything about it before.”
The local business environment is robust, and Dr. Vaughn says there’s another story about the area that includes it’s beauty, natural resources, recreational opportunities, salaries, world-class medical care, excellent infrastructure and the Port of Huntsville’s International Intermodal Center.
“When we try to attract businesses to Huntsville, one of the advantages we offer is a nationally recognized university with research centers and laboratories in place to aid those companies,” he says. “But UAH is not responsible for economic development in the area. That job belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and other entities. Our job is to add value to and multiply that effort.”
Dr. Vaughn cites the team effort by the Chamber, Madison County and UAH at the Paris Air Show in June.
“We went together over there and talked as a single entity with organizations that might want a presence here locally,” Dr. Vaughn says. As an example, the director of the Mexican Space Alliance visited in July and representatives of the Belgian aerospace alliance visited in October. Some 40 Belgian companies are involved in aerospace work.
