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Huntsville already in SPACECOM mix as relocation moves ahead

Lt. Gen. Richard Zellmann, SPACECOM deputy director, said the plan is to have half its personnel at Redstone by 2028.

Aerospace

U.S. Space Command is already up and running on Redstone Arsenal. Why it matters: As its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="relocation advances" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/02/17/britt-huntsville-space-command-dhs-ice" data-vars-content-id="44de49d1-96d0-44ab-9923-fc8f3e071435" data-vars-headline="Huntsville already in SPACECOM mix as relocation moves ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/02/17/britt-huntsville-space-command-dhs-ice" target="_self">relocation advances</a>, a top SPACECOM official addressed a crowd in Huntsville to lay out its mission and how it can collaborate locally to achieve it.

Nick Frevold enters growing Huntsville District 4 race

Frevold's plan focuses on safer streets, zoning and Huntsville Transit improvements.

Politics

Nick Frevold is running for Huntsville City Council on a detailed plan to reshape transit, zoning and housing.Why it matters: Voters are going to have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plenty of choices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/03/03/candidates-declare-for-council-districts-2-and-3" data-vars-content-id="06df4c93-e185-41e2-abee-da54e3d9e82c" data-vars-headline="Nick Frevold enters growing Huntsville District 4 race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/03/03/candidates-declare-for-council-districts-2-and-3" target="_self">plenty of choices</a> to make this year, as at least four challengers have filed for three seats on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Aug. 25 ballot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/upcoming-elections" data-vars-content-id="06df4c93-e185-41e2-abee-da54e3d9e82c" data-vars-headline="Nick Frevold enters growing Huntsville District 4 race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/upcoming-elections" target="_blank">the Aug. 25 ballot</a>, and District 4 alone already has three candidates.

What Artemis means as NASA returns to deep space

Artemis II is the first step toward NASA's new lunar focus, and a return to its original ambitions.

It&#x27;s launch day. Why it matters: Artemis II returns to NASA&#x27;s original deep-space ambitions as the agency moves toward <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a sustained presence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-unveils-initiatives-to-achieve-americas-national-space-policy/" data-vars-content-id="93af2892-59a4-4b0c-8001-97d3496c511c" data-vars-headline="What Artemis means as NASA returns to deep space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-unveils-initiatives-to-achieve-americas-national-space-policy/" target="_blank">a sustained presence</a> on and around the Moon.

Huntsville Utilities: Cold temps (mostly) drove high power bills

Temperatures dipped between January and February, a stretch matched closely by a single billing cycle for some customers, HU CEO Wes Kelley said.

News

Huntsville Utilities pointed to low temperatures as the main cause of higher-than-normal winter power bills.Why it matters: Community concerns over high bills spurred City Council into calling in CEO Wes Kelley last week to explain.

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.

Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects

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

Business

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.

Huntsville's budget highlights: Public safety, roads

Mayor Tommy Battle introduced the budget Sept. 11. City councilors are set to vote on it this week.

Huntsville&#x27;s upcoming budget prioritizes public safety and infrastructure as the city continues growing while revenues stay relatively flat.Why it matters: The City Council will vote on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Budget-Book-09-16-25v7withMayorLetter.pdf" data-vars-content-id="21be740f-df5d-40ce-bf76-ce3c1b64ab96" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s budget highlights: Public safety, roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Budget-Book-09-16-25v7withMayorLetter.pdf" target="_blank">the budget</a> Thursday, solidifying those priorities over the next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.

Money

Milken: Huntsville's economy stays hot in cooling market

Huntsville coffers dodge shutdown effects

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

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Madison eyes review of Alabama's online sales tax system