March 18, 2025

Maurice “Mo” Haywood at his new landscape business, MoScapes, 9465 US Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads

At age 31, Maurice “Mo” Haywood is living his dream of owning a business with the help of TARCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).

He’s following in the footsteps of a restaurateur and antiques dealers who own thriving businesses today thanks, in part, to the same fund. That’s why the RLF can be a game changer for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses in northeast Alabama and they all make an impact on the local economy.

Lee Terry, TARCOG’s director of Economic Development and Planning, said Mo’s loan was recently approved so he could start MoScapes, a landscape materials business. He said TARCOG partners with Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., (NCI) to administer its RLF through the North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund, LLC.

MoScapes, 9465 US Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads

It’s an exciting time for Mo, who is literally building his new business from the ground up. He worked with a crew moving and building up dirt for the foundation of his operation at the end of February with plans to have his storage bins up and ready to start selling bulk materials in March and a new building completed in April.

He worked at another local landscape business for 10 years as its hardscapes operations manager. He knows and understands the business and is ready to make his first sale. But it didn’t happen overnight. When Mo got serious about starting his own business, his mother gave him a contact at NCI. He followed their advice and secured the non-traditional funding route that helped him get started.

“It was a process, but they helped me every step of the way” he said.

The tagline for MoScapes is “Cultivating Beauty” – which he believes sums up what his business is all about.

“We don’t design, but a lot of people have questions on how much product they need, and we can give them help with that,” Mo said. “Most people don’t want to spend a lot of money paying someone to do it so they like to take a stab at it themselves so we can help them get started. If it turns out to be too much work for them, we will have recommendations of people who can do it for them.”

“Helping young entrepreneurs like Maurice secure the capital needed to start a business is the very reason that we exist,” said Mary Ellen Judah, NCI’s executive director. “He understands his market and has built up a loyal customer base. However, as a start-up business with limited owner investment, he struggled to obtain traditional bank financing. With funding and guidance from TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts, he can start his business now and be well-positioned to secure bank financing when he is ready to grow.”

Raul Piers owner of Big Papa Gyros in Huntsville

Success Story: Big Papa Gyro, 4925 University Drive NW, Suite 120, Huntsville

If you are a regular at the Huntsville-based Mediterranean restaurant called Big Papa Gyro, you may be surprised to learn it’s been under new management for four years. That was on purpose by its owner Raul Piers. With a college degree in business and a background in restaurants and business lending, Raul explored the opportunity that came up at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. On Dec. 14, 2020, the deal was finalized thanks to NCI and the RLF.

“With my experience in restaurants and business lending, I knew it was a slam dunk, but I also knew the banks wouldn’t look at me,” Raul said. “I knew NCI and contacted them, and it was a large amount but with TARCOG’s help, we were able to make it work.”

Combined financing from TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts provided the capital necessary for Raul to purchase Big Papa Gyro, an established Huntsville restaurant with a devoted customer following, Mary Ellen said. “Over the past few years, it has been wonderful to see how that seed capital has allowed Raul to grow his business and pursue his dream.”

In January, the restaurant celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Raul couldn’t be happier about the success of the business. Currently he’s planning an expansion at downtown Huntsville location on the courthouse square.

He said when the sale happened four years ago, the previous owner worked with him for a month after the sale so that regulars could see them both, but Raul didn’t make a big splash about the change. He retained the restaurant’s staff and learned what was a new cuisine for him.

“I had only had a gyro from a food truck and honestly, I didn’t like it. But here, when I had one, it was really, really good,” Raul said. During Covid because of supply chain issues, the menu was streamlined a bit, but overall, it remains mostly the same as always. He has an 11-member staff that work over two shifts to prepare the quality food customers keep coming back to eat.

“It’s a lot of work but the best part about owning your own business is that no one can send you home — and I have flexible hours that allow me to take care of my family,” Raul said.

Mark Ardin at Hartlex Antique Gallery 

Success Story: Hartlex Antique Gallery, 6515 University Drive, Huntsville

Customers say Hartlex Antique Gallery has grown into a quality shopping experience that rivals other dealers around the south. The 30,000 square feet store has fine antiques, jewelry, and a John Richard gallery, along with accessories, gifts and more.

“This is one of my happy places,” said longtime customer Bobbie McCown as she and her husband Walter look around with the help of Mark Ardin, co-owner of the store with Leslie Chittam. “We come here, a lot!”

Walter said they’ve shopped the store since it was called Hartlex Antiques Mall in Madison, but he and Bobbie enjoy traveling to shop for antiques, mentioning a high-end store near Nashville that has nothing on the Huntsville store. Walter said the Hartlex store has grown into a top tier experience with high quality finds.

That was always the goal. Leslie bought the Madison store in April 2001. When he and Mark decided to move and expand the store with a slightly new name in 2015, to accomplish the vision, additional funding was needed. That’s where NCI, TARCOG, and the LRF came into play.

“You have to have capital and inventory and that takes a healthy padding to buy and grow,” Mark said. “Most businesses struggle in the first two years and with no capital, it is slow going like it was when we first moved here.”

Walking through the store today is an experience. It’s an adventure through different time periods and styles. From the high-end furniture pieces styled to perfection, to the fun finds like a fake watermelon from a movie set, Hartlex has an eclectic inventory that’s continually updated.

“It’s imperative to have the tools you need to conduct your business,” Mark said. “And TARCOG and NCI helped us do that. We have a lot of fun with what we do, and we basically live here — and it’s a beautiful place to work.”

About the RLF

Lee said the RLF provides loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in north Alabama. Eligible uses include machinery & equipment; working capital; leasehold improvements; real estate acquisitions or rehab; business acquisitions, and the refinance of higher-interest business debt.

He says the flexibility of the RLF program can be a game changer for small businesses.

Mary Ellen said the program helps our community and small businesses grow by having the flexibility to change payments, and to extend or modify loan terms truly gives small business owners the flexibility they need to sustain their business as they grow.

In addition to their small business funding paths, another thing Mo, Raul, Leslie and Mark have in common is that each one encourages those with a dream of owning their own business.

“Just do it,” Mo said, echoing similar comments from the other business owners.

Mary Ellen said anyone interested in learning more about the RLF may learn more or fill out an application on the NCI website

March 14, 2024

Door-to-Door Income Surveying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Qualification

1. Introduction

The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), on behalf of its member governments, is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to conduct door-to-door income surveys of local communities to gather data necessary for qualifying these communities for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The goal of the survey is to determine whether the communities meet the Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) national objective as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and ensure compliance with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) requirements.

The selected contractor will be responsible for conducting door-to-door surveys within designated neighborhoods, achieving an 80% response rate, and providing the necessary data for CDBG eligibility, in accordance with both HUD and ADECA guidelines. The contractor must also use an existing survey tool provided by TARCOG and follow ADECA’s methodology for determining the LMI percentage. Additionally, a map with all survey responses keyed in must be provided as part of the deliverables.

2. Background

TARCOG is facilitating this survey to assess whether the residents of certain communities meet the LMI criteria for the CDBG program. These results will be used to demonstrate the communities’ eligibility for funding under the CDBG program. In addition, the survey must meet the guidelines set forth by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which oversees the distribution of CDBG funds in the state.

The contractor will be required to use an existing survey tool provided by TARCOG, ensuring alignment with ADECA’s methodology for determining LMI percentages and creating a mapping system to track survey responses.

3. Scope of Work

The contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Survey Planning and Coordination:

1. • Target Areas: Collaborate with TARCOG and member governments to define the specific geographic areas and housing units to be surveyed.
   • Survey Schedule: Develop a survey timeline that allows for maximum community participation, considering the availability of residents (e.g., evenings or weekends).
   • Sampling Strategy: Ensure the survey includes a sufficient sample size of households to achieve at least an 80% response rate, as per ADECA requirements.

2. Survey Design and Implementation:

1. • Income Survey Tool: Use the existing survey tool provided by TARCOG, which has been pre-approved for use in this project. The contractor will need to ensure that the survey is administered consistently to all households in the target areas.
   • Income Survey Questionnaire: The survey tool will include questions designed to capture household income, size, and other demographic details as required by ADECA and HUD guidelines.
   • Pre-Survey Notifications: Develop and distribute materials to notify residents about the survey, including the purpose of the survey, how responses will be kept confidential, and any incentives for participation (if applicable).
   • Field Data Collection: Deploy trained staff to conduct face-to-face surveys with households. Staff should be prepared to explain the survey’s purpose and reassure residents about confidentiality.

3. Compliance with ADECA Methodology:

1. • The contractor must follow ADECA’s prescribed methodology for determining the LMI percentage. This includes ensuring that the income thresholds are calculated correctly and that the data is analyzed in accordance with ADECA’s guidelines for LMI eligibility.
   • All data collected must be processed and reported to meet ADECA’s standards for CDBG eligibility determination.

4. Response Rate:

1. • Achieve a minimum 80% response rate for each target area surveyed, as required by ADECA.
   • Use strategies such as follow-up visits, reminder notices, and phone outreach to maximize participation.

5. Data Management, Quality Control, and Mapping:

1. • Data Entry: Organize and input survey data into a secure, accessible format, ensuring all responses are accurate and comprehensive.
   • Data Verification: Implement procedures for reviewing data quality, ensuring responses are consistent with the survey’s requirements and that any discrepancies are addressed.
   • Mapping: Create a geographic map of the survey areas, with survey responses keyed in and referenced to specific households or locations. The map must clearly show the geographic distribution of responses, allowing TARCOG and member governments to analyze participation rates and LMI eligibility across the surveyed area.
   • Confidentiality: Adhere to privacy laws and best practices in securing personal data in line with both HUD and ADECA guidelines.

6. Reporting:

1. • Progress Reports: Provide TARCOG with updates on survey progress, including response rates, completed surveys, and any challenges faced.
   • Final Report: After survey completion, submit a final report that includes:
     • A detailed description of the methodology used, including adherence to ADECA requirements.
     • A summary of the percentage of households meeting LMI criteria.
     • A geographic map showing survey results keyed to specific locations.
     • A comparison of the survey results to ADECA and HUD requirements.
     • Recommendations for follow-up actions or additional data collection, if necessary.

7. Final Deliverables:

1. • A comprehensive dataset of survey results in an agreed-upon format, suitable for further analysis and reporting.
   • A final report that clearly demonstrates the community’s eligibility for CDBG funding based on the collected data and compliance with ADECA and HUD guidelines.
   • A geographic map of the survey area, with responses keyed to specific locations, showing the distribution of survey responses.

4. Contractor Qualifications

The contractor must meet the following qualifications to be considered:

• Experience in conducting community-wide surveys, previous experience with income surveys for CDBG or other HUD-related programs is preferred.
• Familiarity with both HUD and ADECA survey guidelines and requirements for determining LMI eligibility.
• Proven ability to meet or exceed response rate goals, particularly an 80% response rate.
• Experience in geographic mapping and using mapping tools to show survey data.
• Ability to manage and secure survey data in compliance with all privacy laws and regulations.
• Previous experience working with local, state, and federal agencies, especially in the context of community development and CDBG programs.

5. Proposal Requirements

Proposals must include the following components:

• Project Approach: A detailed plan for how the contractor will conduct the survey, including methodologies for data collection, strategies to ensure an 80% response rate, and adherence to ADECA and HUD guidelines.
• Survey Tool and Compliance: An explanation of how the contractor will use the existing survey tool and follow ADECA’s methodology to determine the LMI percentage (survey tool attached to this RFP document for review).
• Mapping Plan: A description of how the contractor will create and provide the geographic map with all survey responses keyed in.
• Timeline: A proposed project timeline with key milestones for survey preparation, field data collection, and final reporting.
• Team Qualifications: Resumes of key staff who will manage and conduct the survey, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
• Previous Experience: Examples of similar projects completed, especially those that involved CDBG or ADECA funding, along with references and measurable outcomes.
• Cost Proposal: A comprehensive cost breakdown, including staff costs, materials, and other expenses, along with a total project budget.
• Compliance: A statement affirming that the contractor will adhere to all relevant privacy, security, and data management standards required by ADECA and HUD.

6. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria (as outlined in the previous section of the RFP):

• Relevant Experience (30 points)
• Proposed Methodology (35 points)
• Cost Proposal (20 points)
• Timeline (10 points)
• Team Qualifications (15 points)
• Past Performance and References (10 points)

7. Submission Instructions

• Proposal Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by 5:00pm CST on Monday, March 31, 2025.
• Submission Format: Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format to planning@tarcog.us
• Questions: All questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to Leslie Wright by 5:00pm CST on Monday, March 24, 2025.

8. Additional Terms and Conditions

• TARCOG reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.
• The selected contractor must comply with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, including ADECAand HUD requirements.
• The contractor will enter into a formal agreement with TARCOG upon selection.
• Proposals that fail to meet the submission requirements or qualifications will be disqualified.

9. Contact Information

For further information, or to submit questions, please contact:

Leslie Wright
Economic Development Coordinator
Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG)
256-716-2487
leslie.wright@tarcog.us

March 6, 2025

Congratulations to the Town of Pine Ridge which has completed and adopted its first Comprehensive Plan.  

TARCOG assisted with the process, which started in March 2024 and was officially adopted in February 2025, said Lee Terry, economic development and planning director.

He said there were three community meetings associated with the document including visioning and goal setting sessions that helped form the 20-year plan for the future of the community.

Goals the town wants to achieve include:

• Promote balanced development
• Preserve rural character
• Enhance community amenities
• Protect natural resources

This plan was funded through a Community Development Block Grant.

Residents of the Town of Pine Ridge meet in June 2024 to discuss the future vision of their community.

February 20, 2025