Economy + infrastructure highlight Battle's State of the City address

Mayor Tommy Battle City gave his State of the City address to more than 1,200 people at a sold-out luncheon at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom Tuesday.

Battle highlighted the city’s economy and its growing infrastructure during his speech.

State of the City address likens Huntsville progress to ‘Sweet 16’

During his speech, Battle highlighted the achievements of the city since he took office in 2008 — a 74% increase in median household income, the city’s annual GDP reaching $38 billion, among others — and likened the Huntsville’s successes to a basketball team that advanced to the elite level of the Sweet 16 in a basketball tournament.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish is beyond extraordinary. It certainly has been a sweet 16 years. As you sports fans know, making it to the Sweet 16 is no easy feat. There are a lot of factors in getting there. First and foremost, you have to assemble the right team. And once you made it, you’ve got to have a plan to advance to the semis – to play for the championship.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

Battle’s plan included:

Intentional efforts to diversify workforce opportunities
New roads
Recreation facilities
The South Star music festival later this month

Looking to the future

So what’s next for the Rocket City?

Battle said sustainability will be a critical asset for the city moving forward, and he announced that the city is working with Huntsville Utilities to build a 200-megawatt solar power plant on 800 acres near the Tennessee River.

“This project will not only help in providing a secure power grid for our future, but will also continue the goal of a clean and sustainable power generation mix. Huntsville will power its own future and have the energy security that we need.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

To see Battle’s State of the City speech in its entirety, you can watch here.

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