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Greenways lead to growth in Huntsville

A long-term plan aims to put every resident within a mile of a trail as the network rapidly grows.

News

Huntsville is big on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="greenways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" data-vars-content-id="e3ad1b08-65e8-4ae9-94d6-5f1f1ab8cabf" data-vars-headline="Greenways lead to growth in Huntsville" 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/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" target="_self">greenways</a>. Why it matters: City leaders see the pedestrian trails as quality-of-life infrastructure that&#x27;s key in drawing in new industry, residents and investment.

Inside JST's green plans for Guntersville

The 540,000-square-foot facility is set to be completed in early 2029, on 240 acres at Guntersville's Conners Island Business Park.

Development

A Japanese manufacturer is doubling down on its operations in Guntersville. Why it matters: Electronic connector manufacturer JST Corp. is investing $500 million to construct a next-generation advanced manufacturing facility.

SEC Softball Tournament lands at Toyota Field

Next year's SEC Tournament is set for May 11-15.

The Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament has a new home: Toyota Field. Why it matters: The tournament will fill area hotels, restaurants and stores, and its national broadcast on ESPN will raise the area&#x27;s profile, helping North Alabama land the next big event.

Huntsville dives in for big 250th celebration

The celebration peaks on July 4 in Big Spring Park.

America&#x27;s got a big birthday coming up. Why it matters: Huntsville&#x27;s going all out for the occasion, with events lined up over the next couple of months, culminating in a major July 4 celebration at Big Spring Park.

Get ready for a star-studded Huntsville weekend

The Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo is bringing big names to the Von Braun Center.

The Huntsville Comic &amp; Pop Culture Expo is drawing in the stars this weekend.Why it matters: &quot;Alabama&#x27;s largest celebration of all things geek,&quot; is bringing some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big names" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hsvexpo.com/guests" data-vars-content-id="dc10f8b2-7221-4b1a-bed7-674952ecb09e" data-vars-headline="Get ready for a star-studded Huntsville weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hsvexpo.com/guests" target="_blank">big names</a> to the Von Braun Center for its 11th year.

Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here's how to rebuild it

Jimmy Wales wants us to trust each other.

Culture

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales wants us to trust. Why it matters: Trust in institutions, and in each other, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has reached crisis levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" data-vars-content-id="34975853-8000-4b43-a9fa-a194d9bd7e1b" data-vars-headline="Wikipedia founder says trust is broken — here&#x27;s how to rebuild it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/insularity-next-crisis-trust" target="_blank">has reached crisis levels</a>, and the consequences are rippling into every aspect of modern life. <ul><li>&quot;I think we&#x27;ve kind of hit something close to a rock bottom,&quot; Wales, a Huntsville native, told Axios.</li></ul>

Guntersville's small-stage, big ticket concert series

Alongside the music, artists performing in the series tell stories about the songs they're playing, said organizer Scott Smith.

Things to Do

As Huntsville&#x27;s music scene grabs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fastcompany.com/91269314/economic-development-most-innovative-companies-2025" data-vars-content-id="e4b5c477-0128-4e34-954e-0b990e90afe8" data-vars-headline="Guntersville&#x27;s small-stage, big ticket concert series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91269314/economic-development-most-innovative-companies-2025" target="_blank">national attention</a>, a new series just down the road, in Guntersville, is pulling big names for listening room shows. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shhhhh: A Listening Room Experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lakecityconcerts.com/" data-vars-content-id="e4b5c477-0128-4e34-954e-0b990e90afe8" data-vars-headline="Guntersville&#x27;s small-stage, big ticket concert series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lakecityconcerts.com/" target="_blank">Shhhhh: A Listening Room Experience</a> is bringing up-close-and-personal shows with big-ticket artists to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dave&#x27;s Music Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.davesmusichall.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ3neFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaMHhpUDFQWTBsdzZleVhnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlY4ZsY9F4v3PKM0hoxs7T9ll83BrFDe-kuRqYyKNuH5xdDG5UNO7CNN06Dg_aem_jogoHdG5_kX9NkoSNshxjA" data-vars-content-id="e4b5c477-0128-4e34-954e-0b990e90afe8" data-vars-headline="Guntersville&#x27;s small-stage, big ticket concert series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.davesmusichall.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ3neFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaMHhpUDFQWTBsdzZleVhnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlY4ZsY9F4v3PKM0hoxs7T9ll83BrFDe-kuRqYyKNuH5xdDG5UNO7CNN06Dg_aem_jogoHdG5_kX9NkoSNshxjA" target="_blank">Dave&#x27;s Music Hall</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: The series reflects a larger trend of more intimate shows in the region, including Huntsville&#x27;s focus on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;house show culture&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/05/2026-huntsville-music-orion-concert-venue-alabama" data-vars-content-id="e4b5c477-0128-4e34-954e-0b990e90afe8" data-vars-headline="Guntersville&#x27;s small-stage, big ticket concert series" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/01/05/2026-huntsville-music-orion-concert-venue-alabama" target="_self">&quot;house show culture&quot;</a> and giving artists more control over the listening environment.

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.

Business

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.

Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville's brightest tradition, turns 30

This year's show at the Huntsville Botanical Garden is stepping it up with new interactive features.

Galaxy of Lights opens Friday, and its 30th anniversary edition is set to be one for the history books.Why it matters: The extensive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday light show" data-vars-click-url="https://hsvbg.org/visit/exhibits/galaxy-of-lights/" data-vars-content-id="a5fab8cf-34a7-4045-b081-d5ef85ac4d7a" data-vars-headline="Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville&#x27;s brightest tradition, turns 30" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hsvbg.org/visit/exhibits/galaxy-of-lights/" target="_blank">holiday light show</a> is the Huntsville Botanical Garden&#x27;s marquee fundraiser, drawing more than 80,000 visitors annually.

The Southern accent wanes as migration reshapes region's identity

Demographics and politics are contributing to the decline.

The Southern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/03/north-carolina-southern-accent-disappearing?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_charlotte&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f03a980e-7fa4-46d6-9974-db67a36d29df" data-vars-headline="The Southern accent wanes as migration reshapes region&#x27;s identity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/10/03/north-carolina-southern-accent-disappearing?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_charlotte&amp;stream=top" target="_self">accent</a> is disappearing as migration and generational shifts reshape the region&#x27;s identity.Why it matters: The way we speak is closely tied with who we are as Southerners, and its fading reflects wider changes in the region.

Bowl Jam drops in at Get-A-Way Skatepark this weekend

The two-year-old skate park is the most recent chapter in Huntsville's long history with the sport.

Huntsville&#x27;s 2-year-old Get-A-Way Skatepark will host professional skateboarders and competitive amateurs alike on Sunday.Why it matters: The 2025 Bowl Jam will bring the likes of Bucky Lasek to the 52,000-square-foot skate park for a free competition and clinic.

How mahjong is building community in Huntsville

"It's not your grandma's game anymore," instructor Sarah Delashaw told Axios Huntsville.

Business Brief

Mahjong&#x27;s popularity is taking off across the country, and Huntsville&#x27;s no exception.Why it matters: As the centuries-old Chinese game finds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/23/where-to-play-mahjong-in-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="d5d80e20-5e7f-4cd3-97de-db527cf28fea" data-vars-headline="How mahjong is building community in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/07/23/where-to-play-mahjong-in-charlotte" target="_self">new fans</a>, instructors are in high demand, with some turning lessons into thriving businesses. <ul><li>For local educators and longtime neighbors Sarah Delashaw and Stephenie Smith, a chance game of mahjong turned into a busy side gig — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Huntsville Mahjong Collective" data-vars-click-url="https://huntsvillemahjongcollective.com/" data-vars-content-id="d5d80e20-5e7f-4cd3-97de-db527cf28fea" data-vars-headline="How mahjong is building community in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://huntsvillemahjongcollective.com/" target="_blank">Huntsville Mahjong Collective</a>. </li></ul>

Why a Colorado transplant made the move to Huntsville

For Chance Hill, the cost of living was a key factor in his decision to move to the Rocket City.

Chance Hill moved to the Huntsville area from Colorado Springs four years ago primarily for work.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/trump-space-comman-huntsville-redstone-arsenal" data-vars-content-id="8b868213-c081-4435-a1d4-df2d41485ecf" data-vars-headline="Why a Colorado transplant made the move to Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/trump-space-comman-huntsville-redstone-arsenal" target="_self">announcement</a> of the Space Command <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="move" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/redstone-arsenal-space-command-huntsville-alabama-colorado-air-force" data-vars-content-id="8b868213-c081-4435-a1d4-df2d41485ecf" data-vars-headline="Why a Colorado transplant made the move to Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/09/02/redstone-arsenal-space-command-huntsville-alabama-colorado-air-force" target="_self">move</a> was immediately followed by questions of how many people would move along with it — and what they&#x27;d be getting themselves into.<ul><li>Hill&#x27;s story offers a preview of what transplants might experience if they move to the Rocket City.</li></ul>

Huntsville Music Month kicks off with stacked lineup

"We're showcasing our talent on the biggest stages yet," Huntsville music officer Matt Mandrella said.

Huntsville Music Month kicks off in September, with a lineup that organizers say will take the event to the next level.Why it matters: The event is increasing Huntsville&#x27;s ever-growing music reputation and providing plenty of things to do, while also supporting local musicians and bringing people and dollars to local businesses.