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Early look at the Von Braun Center's $200M update 

Demand for events at the Von Braun Center is higher than ever, highlighted by the recent full-capacity Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

Business

The Von Braun Center is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moving ahead" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/18/huntsville-tif-tax-district-von-braun-center-alabama" data-vars-content-id="5dfddc65-0eb4-4e71-9962-252cf0f53eb3" data-vars-headline="Early look at the Von Braun Center&#x27;s $200M update " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/18/huntsville-tif-tax-district-von-braun-center-alabama" target="_self">moving ahead</a> with a $200 million expansion, and it offered the media an early look at what it&#x27;s got planned. Why it matters: Demand for events at Huntsville&#x27;s downtown civic center is higher than ever, highlighted by the recent full-capacity <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Space and Missile Defense Symposium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/08/14/rocket-fuel-drinking-from-the-smd-firehose" data-vars-content-id="5dfddc65-0eb4-4e71-9962-252cf0f53eb3" data-vars-headline="Early look at the Von Braun Center&#x27;s $200M update " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/08/14/rocket-fuel-drinking-from-the-smd-firehose" target="_self">Space and Missile Defense Symposium</a>.

223 applications, one successful landing in the Rocket City

Perseverance pays off in this job market, and Brock Morgan's methods show what it takes to land a position in a growing place like Huntsville.

Culture Brief

Brock Morgan applied to 223 jobs before landing a position with Fox 54 (WZDX-TV) in Huntsville. Why it matters: Perseverance pays off in this job market, and Morgan&#x27;s methods show what it takes to land a position in a growing place like Huntsville.

Auburn's new Huntsville research lab aims for speed and workforce impact

AUARI aims to fill a research niche in Huntsville's aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

Aerospace

Auburn&#x27;s new Applied Research Institute in Huntsville is looking to be a catalyst for innovation and advanced manufacturing.Why it matters: Auburn&#x27;s lab space aims to fill a research niche in Huntsville&#x27;s aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

The space defense impact of Auburn's Huntsville research lab

Federal officials and Auburn leaders highlighted just how impactful the rare research opportunities offered at the new facility will be.

Auburn University&#x27;s Applied Research Institute in Cummings Research Park is officially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up and running" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/08/18/auburn-university-huntsville-research-lab-aims-for-workforce-research-impact" data-vars-content-id="c23a7a26-3919-4a51-9445-a7ad8ef2d043" data-vars-headline="The space defense impact of Auburn&#x27;s Huntsville research lab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/08/18/auburn-university-huntsville-research-lab-aims-for-workforce-research-impact" target="_self">up and running</a>. Why it matters: At a ribbon-cutting Tuesday, federal officials and Auburn leaders highlighted how impactful the rare research opportunities offered at the new facility will be.

TVA sets new data center rate

TVA says it will keep costs down for customers and ensure long-term reliability.

TVA will require power-hungry data centers to pay more for the electricity they use in the Valley. Why it matters: As data center demand — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/data-center-uproar-2026-midterms" data-vars-content-id="02c7b20c-b8b2-45ca-875b-9b412c2232fe" data-vars-headline="TVA sets new data center rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/data-center-uproar-2026-midterms" target="_self">and anxiety</a> — ramps up across the country, TVA is setting a new data center rate it says will keep costs down for customers and ensure long-term reliability.

Chick-fil-A explores North Huntsville location

It's the latest company eyeing the area near the $240-million North Village Town Center, anchored by Target and Home Depot.

Chick-fil-A is exploring a location near the Northern Bypass intersection with Memorial Parkway. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest company eyeing the area near the $240-million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Village Town Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/11/07/north-huntsville-target-home-depot-alabama-retail" data-vars-content-id="844447bf-6a30-40d6-a78c-351ea4cacbf9" data-vars-headline="Chick-fil-A explores North Huntsville location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/11/07/north-huntsville-target-home-depot-alabama-retail" target="_self">North Village Town Center</a>, which is anchored by Target and Home Depot and part of a larger surge of growth around the nearly complete Northern Bypass.

Redwire charges ahead on Huntsville expansion

Defense and space tech manufacturer Redwire will add 150 jobs as part of the expansion.

Redwire officially broke ground on its new Huntsville headquarters Tuesday, as the building starts to take shape. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest surge of momentum for Huntsville&#x27;s booming aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem.

Huntsville-based PDW lands $820M loan to manufacture drone parts

The massive investment is set to bring new jobs and investment, and help America close the drone production gap.

News

Huntsville-based Performance Drone Works has secured up to $820 million to bolster U.S. production of drone components. Why it matters: The massive investment is set to bring new jobs and investment, and help America close the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drone production gap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/07/air-defense-drones-missles-huntsville-alabama-army-golden-dome" data-vars-content-id="9a7c88a5-0b66-4d6c-9dbc-5c412f3ea103" data-vars-headline="Huntsville-based PDW lands $820M loan to manufacture drone parts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/07/air-defense-drones-missles-huntsville-alabama-army-golden-dome" target="_self">drone production gap</a>.

Huntsville's music investment pays off

Eight years after launching a targeted investment in its music scene, the city has seen returns in the form of  hundreds of millions in economic output.

Eight years after kickstarting an effort to develop its musical identity, Huntsville is seeing a big return on its investment.Why it matters: That return is coming in the form of hundreds of millions in economic output and a major increase in creative jobs, all while bringing in big acts and a steady lineup of events for locals.

Huntsville's Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion

Aerospace and defense manufacturer plans a 164,000-square-foot expansion.

Redwire Corp. and Huntsville are kicking off the Farnborough Air Show in London by announcing a big expansion back home. Why it matters: Huntsville&#x27;s strong <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aerospace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a> resume is getting stronger, and making waves at one of the biggest industry events on the globe. The latest: Aerospace and defense manufacturer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Redwire" data-vars-click-url="https://rdw.com/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rdw.com/" target="_blank">Redwire</a>, announced this morning that it will expand its Huntsville location on Jetplex Boulevard by 164,000 square feet, adding 150 new, high-skilled jobs. <ul><li>Those jobs will be in the company&#x27;s manufacturing, integration and technical operations, per the announcement, with the expanded campus set to accelerate several of Redwire&#x27;s production lines. </li></ul>Zoom in: Those include its Stalker drone system, drone gimbal payloads, advanced energy solutions and space capabilities, the company said. <ul><li>Construction is expected to start late next year, and Redwire is receiving about $8.5 million in state and local economic development incentives, per the announcement.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Peter Cannito, Redwire chairman and CEO, said in the announcement that the expansion &quot;reflects the momentum we&#x27;re seeing across both Redwire Space and Defense Tech.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the United States, uniquely positioned at the intersection of America&#x27;s space and defense industries, which makes it the ideal location to expand our capabilities and strengthen America&#x27;s industrial base.&quot;</li></ul><figure><img alt="Modern two-story office building with a sign reading RED WIRE, glass entry, and a large parking lot full of cars under a clear blue sky; an American flag near the entrance." height="1233" id="d8b3c014-e06c-404f-b5ab-1517e3b6bdf4" src="https://images.axios.com/ww4FuGnBFjCDI6eRyYmqnvLx_So=/2026/07/20/1784520021675.jpeg" width="3000"/><figcaption>Redwire plans to add 150 jobs with the help of $8.5 million in local and state incentives. Image: Courtesy Redwire</figcaption></figure>Zoom out: The expansion &quot;speaks to exactly what the Alabama team is promoting this week in Farnborough,&quot; said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair in the announcement. <ul><li>&quot;Our state&#x27;s ability to provide advanced manufacturers the skilled workforce, infrastructure and local support to not only launch their initial operations, but to help them expand with their successes.&quot;</li></ul>Driving the news: Huntsville, and Alabama, is well-represented at Farnborough, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.madeinalabama.com/2026/07/alabama-lawmakers-will-attend-farnborough-to-tell-states-economic-development-story/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.madeinalabama.com/2026/07/alabama-lawmakers-will-attend-farnborough-to-tell-states-economic-development-story/" target="_blank">state lawmakers</a> and aerospace, AI and defense companies are looking to gain even more ground.<ul><li>Two of those companies, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maximum Technology Corporation" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=maxtc.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXh0Yy5jb20v&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=QzlKbyt5TTRDKzFCRHhSTU9HTlowQjltdHljUFFoclUvaUdnbkFQd3Q3UT0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_R4_GBbo$" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=maxtc.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXh0Yy5jb20v&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=QzlKbyt5TTRDKzFCRHhSTU9HTlowQjltdHljUFFoclUvaUdnbkFQd3Q3UT0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_R4_GBbo$" target="_blank">Maximum Technology Corporation</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zaden Technologies" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=zadentech.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuemFkZW50ZWNoLmNvbS8=&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=VC9tcEhQN0hhY0hja0hmMUJoYmlFMi9WV3YwM25EcG1RNnRLeng5dTc3Zz0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_TsNnTHU$" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=zadentech.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuemFkZW50ZWNoLmNvbS8=&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=VC9tcEhQN0hhY0hja0hmMUJoYmlFMi9WV3YwM25EcG1RNnRLeng5dTc3Zz0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_TsNnTHU$" target="_blank">Zaden Technologies</a> are based in Huntsville, and a third, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SEA Wire and Cable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sea-wire.com/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sea-wire.com/" target="_blank">SEA Wire and Cable</a>, in Madison.</li></ul>

HudsonAlpha's grass-based manufacturing effort lands $15M

The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region.

Grass grown on underutilized farmland in Alabama and Tennessee will soon be used to make everything from food packaging to car parts.Why it matters: The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region, forecast to result in billions in investment over the next decade.

Business 🏦

TVA sets new data center rate

Early look at the Von Braun Center's $200M update

Chick-fil-A explores North Huntsville location

The space defense impact of Auburn's Huntsville research lab

Auburn's new Huntsville research lab aims for speed and workforce impact