Limestone County has remained one of the fastest-growing in the state of Alabama for a decade or more, and it’s not hard to see why.

Sure, there’s the close proximity to Huntsville for those who work at Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center or any one of the dozens of contractors, and you could also point to the relatively low cost of living as reasons.

Those who hail from here are proud to say life in Limestone is something special. There’s a touch of Mayberry, but there’s also a touch of high-tech. There’s beauty along the Elk River, Richard Martin Trail and at the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

It’s a place where neighbors still stop to say “hello” if you’re sitting on your front porch. Kids still play in front yards and ride bikes in the street.

Police officers are greeted with a friendly wave, and veterans are celebrated. Limestone Countians love a good comeback story, and losers are loved as much as the winners.

Our public schools are consistently ranked among the best in the state. Limestone County is home to two colleges — Calhoun Community College and Athens State University — that are among the most affordable in the nation.

The new Athens High School looks like a university and is a state-of-the-art facility we can all be proud of. Buildings don’t teach, however, and schools in Athens and Limestone County are blessed to have dedicated teachers who believe in their mission.

Limestone County’s positive qualities are honestly too many to number. Industries and businesses have noticed, too. Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing USA’s future presence here, along with their suppliers, will likely change the face of the county for generations.

The future is indeed bright for the county. The anxiety of those who don’t want Limestone to change is being tempered by the excitement of things to come. Nothing stays the same forever, and sometimes change can be a good thing.

Each year at this time, The News Courier takes a look at where things have been, where we are now and where we’re going. We call it “Progress,” and it does serve as a bit of a progress report.

The section is split over two weekends. Part 2 set to be published next weekend. In this edition, we take a look at things that affect residents on a daily and weekly basis — infrastructure, schools, public safety, the court system and quality of life.

Next week, we’ll focus on groups and organizations that improve life in Limestone County. From nonprofit organizations to the individuals who are often unsung heroes, we will highlight the good works they do on a daily basis.

We certainly hope these stories provide a glimpse of what’s great about Limestone County now and what’s to come. We, like you, know the Athens-Limestone community is one of not only a vibrant history, but also a promising future.

We look forward to the journey.