“We are very blessed to be at the center of so much growth, both population wise and economically,” Limestone County Economic Development Association (LCEDA) President and CEO Bethany Shockey told The News Courier. “We’ve been the fastest growing county for the past four out of five years. There are around 11 people per day moving into Limestone County, and a lot of that is because of where we are regionally — and also because of all the industries coming here as well.”

Shockney accredited a majority of that economic growth in 2024 to the strategic partnerships she and LCEDA have been able to build and foster across county and state lines.

“Limestone County is very attractive to these industries because of the resources we are so fortunate to have,” Shockney said. “We benefit from that growth in Huntsville and Tennessee. A lot of our growth was directly related to the fact that the city limits of Huntsville extend into Limestone County. We are in a business where you can not see those county and state lines as a barrier. If you do, you will not be successful.”

Shockney also highlighted how Limestone County has cemented its position in 2024 as a hub for automotive and advanced manufacturing industries both nationally and internationally.

“Geographically, we have so many major transportation corridors, like I-65, that have really created a hotbed for us to utilize in targeting business,” Shockney said. “Those kinds of businesses care about speed-to-market, or how fast they can get their product to the consumers. So, companies that support Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville come here — that’s how we grow our support footprint.”

From the countless groundbreaking ceremonies throughout 2024 — as a result of all those new developments — to the expansion of existing industries looking to catch up with the growth in the region, the results of LCEDA’s tireless efforts this year was nothing short of “explosive.”

“I would describe 2024 as progressive and explosive,” Shockney said. “We’ve been very open to things we’ve never experienced before this year. We have also been able to shift when we’ve needed to shift as well, our mantra around here is ‘efficient, effective and responsive,’ so we can tackle any challenge that is presented to us.”

In addition to the focus on the quantity of businesses coming into Limestone County, Shockney also said a large focus this year and moving forward into 2025 will be on the quality of businesses coming in.

“I think we are going to see a lot of spill over of a lot of those positive things we have seen this year,” Shockney said. “Sustainability is extremely important for us, no matter which way the economy is going. There’s going to be plenty of ebbs and flows, there’s still going to be that growth as well, but now we can market toward all those positivities here. We’ve never experienced this before as a county, so how we stay ahead of that moving forward into 2025 will be vital.”

Shockney said it is better to be proactive to all of the possible issues that could arise, rather than reactive when an issue does arise. From marketing to improving the quality of life via better businesses — she is proud of the high expectation residents have for the future of Limestone County.

“We are excited about where we are headed, because we are fortunate enough now to be in a position where we can be selective on what comes to our county,” Shockney said. “That speaks highly of the citizens of Limestone County, because that’s who we are listening to when deciding these things. We want to sustain a good strong family environment, which is at the center of our focus. That’s not for everybody, and that’s okay, because our organization knows we can do anything — we just don’t have to do everything.”

The education industry in Limestone County, and all of North Alabama, is also on a sharp upturn with more and more revenue flowing into the region, according to a release from Calhoun Community College.

Calhoun Community College isn’t just shaping futures, it’s helping drive Alabama’s economy with a remarkable $802.8 million economic impact, according to a comprehensive study conducted by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics.

This substantial contribution represents nearly 1.8% of the total gross regional product (GRP) of the college’s service area, which includes Madison, Morgan, Limestone, and Lawrence counties, supporting an impressive 10,627 jobs across diverse industries.

“Calhoun Community College is more than an educational institution; we are an economic engine for North Alabama,” said Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Calhoun Community College President. “We are incredibly proud to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our region. Whether students prefer in-person, online, or hybrid learning, Calhoun is here to meet them where they are, offering flexible options for those with demanding schedules,” Hodges adds.

Calhouns impact is multifaceted, reflecting the colleges role as an educator, employer, and community partner:

— Alumni Impact: The colleges alumni generated an astounding $723.3 million in added income for the regional economy in FY 2023-24, supporting 9,274 jobs.

— Operations Spending: With 915 full-time and part-time faculty and staff, 88% residing within the service area, Calhoun’s payroll of $46.4 million and additional expenditures contributed $58.5 million to the local economy, supporting 1,017 jobs.

— Construction Impact: Investments in campus infrastructure added $9.9 million, supporting 130 jobs.

— Student Spending: The spending habits of relocated and retained students contributed $11.1 million to the economy, supporting 206 jobs.

For every dollar invested by students, Calhoun delivers $4.60 in higher future earnings. Graduates with an associate degree from Calhoun can expect annual earnings $10,800 higher than those with only a high school diploma, amounting to $421,200 in additional lifetime income.

This local success mirrors the broader economic influence of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), which contributes $8.1 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, supporting 114,043 jobs, or one in every 26 jobs statewide.

“Our students and graduates are working, earning, and reinvesting in Alabama’s communities,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “Businesses across the state rely on them to keep operations strong. No other entity has a greater reach in education and workforce training, and we are committed to ensuring every student leaves our colleges prepared to contribute to their communities, their industries, and Alabama’s economic growth,” Baker adds.

Calhoun Community College remains steadfast in its mission to fuel economic prosperity, foster innovation, and empower individuals to achieve their potential. This report underscores Calhoun’s pivotal role in shaping not just careers, but the very fabric of North Alabama’s thriving economy.