The Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI ...

The Strength of HREGI,
continued from page 18 –
Investors in the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI) were recently invited to attend a special reception at
the Chamber, where President/CEO Brian Hilson and Chair-elect Charlie Kettle provided a brief economic update to attendees.
As a result, during the seven years that
HREGI has been in existence, Huntsville/
Madison County announced more than
27,000 new and expanding jobs with a total
capital investment of more than $1.7 billion.
These achievements far exceeded the
HREGI goals of 17,500 new and expanding
jobs and $900 million in capital investments
for the same period. Additionally, these results
far outpaced the state and U.S. averages
in every growth category. In fact, since 2000,
the Huntsville metro area more than tripled
the growth rate of the state in employment
and led other peer communities such as Austin,
Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham in professional
and technical employment.
As result of the active engagement and
support of the entire community, both large
and small companies continue to make a
difference. In recognition of their special investment
in economic development, special
update meetings and investor-only events
are held throughout the year for HREGI investors.
The investments are paying off in other areas
as well. Huntsville, Madison and Madison
County recently received national recognition
from publications such as the Milken Institute,
Forbes and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
as well as being listed by Entrepreneur as the
nation’s leading small city with big opportunities.
These accolades make it easier for
Huntsville/Madison County to sell itself to
businesses looking to relocate to the community
and to recruit a skilled workforce to fill
the jobs that are currently available.
But, the best is yet to come. Through HRE-
GI, the Chamber continues to plan for future
growth, with an emphasis placed on meeting
infrastructure, workforce and education
needs of a growing, vibrant community.
“Working together, the partners and investors
of HREGI ensure that we remain ahead
of our competition and that we continue to
prepare, develop and promote our community
for economic prosperity,” said Don Nalley,
Chamber Board Chair.
• Loren Traylor
24 December 2010 Initiatives