Greater Iowa City, Inc.’s 2026 Intercity Visit took a delegation of regional leaders to Huntsville, Alabama, to learn how collaboration and innovation are driving growth in one of the nation’s most successful emerging economies. Throughout the visit, participants explored approaches to economic development, research and innovation, workforce development, housing, and placemaking, while seeing firsthand how strategic business recruitment and quality-of-life investments work together to attract talent and drive growth.
Known as a national leader in aerospace and defense, Huntsville provided valuable insights into the investments, relationships, and long-term vision required to build a thriving regional economy.
Day One: Learning from Huntsville’s Economic Success
The visit began at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, where Lucia Cape, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, provided an overview of the region’s economy and recent economic development successes. Participants learned about Huntsville’s strategic approach to attracting investment, supporting business growth, and building strong partnerships among the public, private, and educational sectors.
The group then heard from a panel of aerospace industry leaders who shared what factors influence location and investment decisions and why Huntsville continues to stand out as a destination for aerospace companies. Workforce quality, infrastructure investments, quality of life, and strong regional partnerships emerged as key factors influencing location decisions.
Featured on Huntsville news: check out media coverage from Huntsville about our visit
The day concluded with a reception alongside Huntsville area leaders, providing an opportunity to continue conversations and strengthen relationships with peers whose experience can inform the continued growth of Eastern Iowa’s emerging aerospace sector.
Day Two: Innovation, Research, and Placemaking
Thursday’s agenda highlighted the impressive ecosystem that supports Huntsville’s innovation economy.
The day began with a tour of Cummings Research Park, led by Executive Director Erin Koshut. As the second-largest research park in the United States, the park is home to hundreds of companies and organizations working in technology, engineering, defense, and research.
As part of the tour, the group visited The University of Alabama in Huntsville, located at Cummings Research Park, where leaders discussed the university’s close collaboration with industry partners. Another highlight was a visit to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, a statewide public magnet school preparing students for futures in cybersecurity, engineering, and other technology-focused fields. The school’s mission demonstrated the value of investing early in the talent pipeline and creating opportunities for students to engage with emerging industries.
Participants also toured the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a nationally recognized nonprofit research institute founded through a partnership of philanthropic, private, and public investment. HudsonAlpha combines genomics research, educational outreach, workforce development, and business incubation on a collaborative biotechnology campus, demonstrating how scientific innovation can drive both discovery and economic opportunity.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited MidCity District, one of Huntsville’s most celebrated redevelopment projects. The group learned from Executive Director Lindsey Patillo Keane about MidCity’s transformation from a struggling shopping mall into a vibrant mixed-use district centered on entertainment, dining, recreation, housing, and community gathering spaces.
The heart of the MidCity District is the Orion Amphitheater, an award-winning, 8,000-capacity venue that has quickly become both a cultural anchor and economic driver for Huntsville since opening in 2022. Designed as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, the Orion hosts concerts, community events, markets, art displays, and educational programming throughout the year.
Day Three: Downtown Revitalization and Housing Solutions
The final day focused on downtown vitality and housing affordability.
Participants toured Downtown Huntsville and learned how investments in public art, programming, and community events have helped create a vibrant and welcoming urban core. The visit highlighted the important role that cultural amenities and public spaces play in attracting residents, visitors, and businesses.
The group also met with Dennis Madsen, Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning for the City of Huntsville, to discuss the city’s efforts to address housing needs. Conversations centered on strategies for expanding housing options, securing federal investment, and planning for continued population growth while maintaining quality of life.
These discussions provided valuable insights for Greater Iowa City leaders as our region continues to experience growth and seeks solutions to ensure housing remains accessible for residents at all stages of life.
Bringing Ideas Home
While every community is unique, the Intercity Visit reinforced several themes that are equally important in the Greater Iowa City region: strong public-private partnerships, investments in talent development, intentional placemaking, and a commitment to long-term planning. Huntsville demonstrated what can happen when community leaders align around a shared vision and work collaboratively to achieve it. As we return home, we are excited to explore how these ideas can be adapted and applied within our own community.
Greater Iowa City, Inc. extends its sincere appreciation to the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce and all the Huntsville leaders we met with for sharing their time and expertise with our delegation.
Thanks also to our sponsors for making this trip possible: lead sponsor, the Eastern Iowa Airport, and supporting sponsors, Fredrikson & Byron, JPMorgan Chase, and Ryan Companies.
