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Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Ikea US announced it will open the store, its first in Alabama, on Feb. 25 with a grand-opening celebration.

Business

It&#x27;s official: Huntsville&#x27;s Ikea store will be open within a week. Why it matters: Ikea has long been among the city&#x27;s most-desired retailers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcing last summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="1ba8a082-7758-4d5e-92c8-3538a16c77ff" data-vars-headline="Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">announcing last summer</a> its plan to bring a new, smaller-format store to University Drive near GigaParts.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Development

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

News

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

Senate bill targets police staffing in Huntsville, Montgomery

Senate Bill 298 would require police departments in Alabama's Class 3 municipalities to have two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents by Oct. 1.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature aims to set minimum staffing levels for Huntsville and Montgomery police departments.Why it matters: If passed, the bill could lead to a state takeover of local law enforcement, though Huntsville leaders say the city already meets the bill&#x27;s requirements.

Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows

More than 20 nations have expressed formal interest in the system.

Aerospace

Northrop Grumman&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locally made" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/19/northrop-grumman-madison-missile-defense-huntsville-golden-dome" target="_self">locally made</a> Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is aiming to prove itself in the field. Why it matters: The company is preparing to ramp up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="production" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="77eefe6d-dbdc-4425-b33b-20763abe41db" data-vars-headline="Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows" 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">production</a> as international interest grows in the all-in-one command and control system.

Developers push back on app store age verification bill

Under the proposal, app stores would be required to verify users' ages at signup.

A state bill strengthening age verification for app stores is getting pushback from a coalition of app developers. The big picture: Under the proposal, app stores would be required to verify users&#x27; ages at signup, via commercially available methods, and place them into age groups of under 13, 13–15, 16–17, or 18-plus.

Milken: Huntsville's economy stays hot in cooling market

Huntsville landed at No. 2 among large cities in the 2026 ranking.

Huntsville&#x27;s economy is among the best in the country, per the Milken Institute&#x27;s annual Best-Performing Cities ranking released today.Why it matters: The analysis from the nonpartisan think tank shows that Huntsville&#x27;s economy, buoyed by high-tech defense and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aerospace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="31a1b256-5976-4fbc-b9cc-3019e5e48739" data-vars-headline="Milken: Huntsville&#x27;s economy stays hot in cooling market" 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> contracts, is gaining ground in a largely cooling economy.

Artemis II heads to launch with Marshall on deck

Artemis II will take four astronauts on a 10-day loop around the moon.

Artemis II is stacked and nearly ready for launch.Why it matters: At NASA&#x27;s Marshall Space Flight Center, officials are poised to support that mission as it enters a launch window starting Feb. 6, and as it circles the moon before returning to Earth.

Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects

Huntsville saw a drop in October sales tax revenues for several reasons.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history made a dent in Huntsville&#x27;s books — but not a big enough dent to affect its bottom line.Why it matters: The Rocket City&#x27;s economy relies heavily on federal spending and the spending of federal workers, more than 40,000 of whom work on Redstone Arsenal every day.By the numbers: The city collected $770,402 less in sales taxes in October 2025 than in October 2024. <ul><li>The $26.4 million total was a drop of 2.83% from October 2024&#x27;s $27.2 million, according to numbers provided to Axios.</li></ul>Zoom out: In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025), the city collected about $314.4 million in sales taxes, a 0.4% decrease from fiscal year 2024.<ul><li>But the fiscal year 2024 total of $315.6 million was an almost 3% increase from fiscal year 2023, when the city tallied $306.6 million, a 6.8% increase from fiscal year 2022.</li><li>The October 2025 total was a drop from October 2024, but it was still $1.1 million above October 2023 and $1.7 million above October 2022.</li></ul>Yes, but: &quot;I think there&#x27;s a lot of factors that pull into those numbers,&quot; Penny Smith, Huntsville finance director, told Axios. &quot;I would not come back and say this drop is due to the shutdown.&quot;<ul><li>But the shutdown did play a part, she said, as did other factors, like businesses locating in Madison, as well as Huntsville workers living and shopping in other cities. </li><li>Also, the city has seen larger year-over-year drops in the past couple years, including a $2.2 million decrease from March 2024 to March 2025. </li></ul>How it works: Those revenues come from the city&#x27;s 4.5% sales tax, supporting the general fund, schools and capital projects. <ul><li>That&#x27;s separate from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial Simplified Sellers Use Tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/08/madison-sales-tax-revenue-ssuts-huntsville-tuscaloosa-alabama" data-vars-content-id="32340d56-a4c7-42be-84ab-26414603ac16" data-vars-headline="Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/08/madison-sales-tax-revenue-ssuts-huntsville-tuscaloosa-alabama" target="_self">controversial Simplified Sellers Use Tax</a> (SSUT), which is charged for online purchases. </li><li>Those funds are collected by the state and redistributed based on population, Smith said, meaning the city can&#x27;t get an accurate picture of how residents are shopping online.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;My crystal ball has gone blurry,&quot; Smith said. &quot;It is very hard to predict what is happening in the economy.&quot; <ul><li>The city has historically seen 5% to 6% growth year over year, but since the pandemic that trend has been less reliable, she said, and traditional trends have been less reliable. </li><li>For instance, consumer confidence is down nationwide, but spending hasn&#x27;t dropped with it. </li></ul>Catch up quick: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/government-shutdown-length-days-record-trump" data-vars-content-id="32340d56-a4c7-42be-84ab-26414603ac16" data-vars-headline="Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/05/government-shutdown-length-days-record-trump" target="_self">government shutdown</a> lasted 43 days, from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oct. 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-starts-senate-house-trump?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="32340d56-a4c7-42be-84ab-26414603ac16" data-vars-headline="Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-starts-senate-house-trump?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">Oct. 1</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nov. 12" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/house-passes-package-end-government-shutdown?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="32340d56-a4c7-42be-84ab-26414603ac16" data-vars-headline="Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/house-passes-package-end-government-shutdown?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_self">Nov. 12</a>, leaving the tens of thousands of local federal workers and contractors in limbo.<ul><li>Local organizations <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="responded with support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" data-vars-content-id="32340d56-a4c7-42be-84ab-26414603ac16" data-vars-headline="Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" target="_self">responded with support</a> for affected government and contract workers, including special loans, food drives and more.</li></ul>The bottom line: That $770,000 dip won&#x27;t have a real effect on Huntsville&#x27;s bottom line, Smith said, thanks in part to its conservative budgeting.<ul><li>&quot;I don&#x27;t feel concerned, because we&#x27;re not moving south of our budget,&quot; she said.</li></ul>

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

In plans shared first with Axios, developer RCP Companies plans to build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more.

MidCity will build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more as part of a $300 million, 12-acre expansion.Why it matters: The public-private partnership is defining what mixed-use developments in Huntsville can be: an &quot;18-hour district,&quot; where people can find an apartment, start a new company or catch a show.

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

Madison eyes review of Alabama's online sales tax system

Madison City Council gathered recently for a work session with Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox about "a more equitable method of taxing online sales."

Madison is taking a closer look at tax dollars it receives from the state for online purchases, called Simplified Sellers Use Taxes or SSUTs. Why it matters: If taxes from online purchases were distributed to localities where purchases originated, cities like Madison would see a big bump in tax revenue.

How Browns Ferry powers the region — and stays prepared

As data center construction and economic development increase the demand for power, suppliers like TVA are planning more generation.

The Tennessee Valley Authority stays ready for anything at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. Why it matters: Just how the juice gets to our wires can often fade into the background, but the third largest nuclear power generator in the country has been steadily and safely keeping the lights on in the Valley for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="50 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/browns-ferry-celebrates-50-years" data-vars-content-id="a428ff92-fd6d-4c2c-8027-84e7f906023e" data-vars-headline="How Browns Ferry powers the region — and stays prepared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/browns-ferry-celebrates-50-years" target="_blank">50 years</a>.

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Business 🏦

Ikea Huntsville grand opening set for Feb. 25

Northrop ramps up IBCS production as global interest grows

Developers push back on app store age verification bill

Milken: Huntsville's economy stays hot in cooling market

Artemis II heads to launch with Marshall on deck