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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.

Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029

Huntsville will host CUSA's basketball, volleyball and cross-country tournaments.

Business

Huntsville will host the next three Conference USA Championships in basketball, volleyball and cross-country, CUSA announced Friday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big get for Huntsville as the city seeks to attract more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/sports" data-vars-content-id="3c1e828e-b737-444e-a5d6-ada011fc6a3e" data-vars-headline="Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/sports" target="_self">sports</a> events and bolster its reputation for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-class facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" data-vars-content-id="3c1e828e-b737-444e-a5d6-ada011fc6a3e" data-vars-headline="Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" target="_self">first-class facilities</a>.

Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame's 2026 class

This year's class is one of the most diverse yet, said Mark McCarter, sportswriter and secretary for the Hall of Fame.

Sports

Twelve local athletic heavyweights have been announced as the 2026 class of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hmcahof.com/" data-vars-content-id="d9051ea2-e6d4-4336-8e6c-b1f6dfb04851" data-vars-headline="Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame&#x27;s 2026 class" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hmcahof.com/" target="_blank">Hall of Fame</a>. Why it matters: &quot;We forget sometimes what a great sports community Huntsville is and has been,&quot; said Mark McCarter, sportswriter and secretary for the Hall of Fame.

Huntsville City Football Club makes first playoff berth

"We have the best fans in the league," said Chad Emerson, HCFC managing director.

Huntsville City Football Club is headed to the playoffs for the first time.Why it matters: HCFC, which debuted in the 2023 season, continues to grow in popularity and standing in the MLS Next Pro league.<ul><li>They&#x27;re also in the running to have the opening playoff game at home at Wicks Family Field, said Chad Emerson, HCFC managing director. </li></ul>

Picklr aims to upgrade Huntsville pickleball scene

The Picklr is opening a 40,000-square-foot indoor club with 11 courts on University Drive.

The world&#x27;s largest indoor pickleball franchise is making Huntsville its next stop. Why it matters: As pickleball continues its rise in popularity, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Picklr" data-vars-click-url="https://thepicklr.com/location/huntsville/" data-vars-content-id="6719819b-b645-4407-a46e-ab37371d3279" data-vars-headline="Picklr aims to upgrade Huntsville pickleball scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thepicklr.com/location/huntsville/" target="_blank">The Picklr</a> is creating more space for players, especially those looking to up their game. <ul><li>It&#x27;s also another big investment in the University Drive/MidCity area, which is seeing a surge in development alongside soon-to-open locations like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Field Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/30/field-day-huntsville-alabama-adult-entertainment-growth-development" data-vars-content-id="6719819b-b645-4407-a46e-ab37371d3279" data-vars-headline="Picklr aims to upgrade Huntsville pickleball scene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/30/field-day-huntsville-alabama-adult-entertainment-growth-development" target="_self">Field Day</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ikea" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="6719819b-b645-4407-a46e-ab37371d3279" data-vars-headline="Picklr aims to upgrade Huntsville pickleball scene" 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">Ikea</a>. </li></ul>

Why Huntsville can't stop playing pickleball

Pickleball is a growing sport that hasn't yet peaked, Parks and Recreation director James Gossett tells Axios Huntsville.

Things to Do

Pickleball is surging in popularity in Huntsville and around the country. Why it matters: Pickleball has a low barrier of entry: easy to learn, accessible, social, and is a way to stay active and work off the stress of the day, pickleball coach Judy Hayes tells Axios Huntsville. <ul><li>It&#x27;s also driving investment in public and private facilities.</li></ul>

The countdown is on for Huntsville City FC Space Night

With telescopes, aliens and orange kits, this HCFC match honors Rocket City's space roots.

It&#x27;s T-Minus two days for Huntsville City Football Club&#x27;s marquee themed match of the year: Space Night vs. Orlando City B Friday at 7pm.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a chance for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HCFC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlsnextpro.com/huntsvillecityfc/" data-vars-content-id="04a45109-a5ce-457c-a7af-6df147b48514" data-vars-headline="The countdown is on for Huntsville City FC Space Night" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlsnextpro.com/huntsvillecityfc/" target="_blank">HCFC</a> to showcase the unique and special relationship North Alabama has with the space industry and NASA.

Disc golfer Cadence Burge wins first Pro Tour event

"It's pretty crazy to get a win," the 18-year-old Burge told Axios.

Huntsville native and pro disc golfer Cadence Burge took home her first Disc Golf Pro Tour win <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/DiscGolfProTour/photos/with-her-first-dgpt-win-cadence-burge-is-your-2025-discmania-challenge-presented/1041157961489946/?_rdr" data-vars-content-id="2d7a9b5d-6d38-4880-851d-7301fedf1294" data-vars-headline="Disc golfer Cadence Burge wins first Pro Tour event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/DiscGolfProTour/photos/with-her-first-dgpt-win-cadence-burge-is-your-2025-discmania-challenge-presented/1041157961489946/?_rdr" target="_blank">this week</a> at the Discmania Challenge in Des Moine, Iowa, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shooting -17" data-vars-click-url="https://blog.discgolfunited.com/disc-golf-scoring/" data-vars-content-id="2d7a9b5d-6d38-4880-851d-7301fedf1294" data-vars-headline="Disc golfer Cadence Burge wins first Pro Tour event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blog.discgolfunited.com/disc-golf-scoring/" target="_blank">shooting -17</a>.Why it matters: The disc golf phenom is an up-and-comer already competing alongside the best in the world.

How Huntsville became a disc golf destination

Huntsville has been a mainstay for disc golf since the city hosted Alabama's first state tournament in 1974.

As Huntsville continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="invest big" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" data-vars-content-id="4c3df736-8474-439e-b726-2eda18dbe3bb" data-vars-headline="How Huntsville became a disc golf destination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/30/huntsville-curling-44m-ice-center-expansion" target="_self">invest big</a> in bolstering sports tourism efforts, the city has been a mainstay for one sport since before it was cool: disc golf. Why it matters: Huntsville&#x27;s disc golf roots go all the way back, and it&#x27;s due in large part to two Rocket City natives: Tom Monroe and Lavone Wolfe.

Curling capital: Huntsville OKs $44M Ice Center expansion

The expansion is set for completion late next year or early 2027.

Huntsville is making big moves at its Ice Sports Center, approving a $44.6-million plan June 26 that&#x27;s set to double its size by early 2027.Why it matters: The expansion plan will turn the ISC into a regional destination for ice sports, especially curling. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rocket City Curling Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rocketcitycurlingclub.org/" data-vars-content-id="980406e1-154a-4ffa-9f4d-899252014292" data-vars-headline="Curling capital: Huntsville OKs $44M Ice Center expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rocketcitycurlingclub.org/" target="_blank">Rocket City Curling Club</a> President Matt Smith tells Axios the closest comparable facility is in Detroit.

Sports 🏅

SEC Softball Tournament lands at Toyota Field

Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029

Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame's 2026 class

Huntsville City Football Club makes first playoff berth

Picklr aims to upgrade Huntsville pickleball scene