August 30, 2026

Got a great business idea but not sure how to make it a reality?

Whether you are a new entrepreneur or want to expand an existing business, funding is a critical piece to the puzzle. TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. (NCI) may be able to help.

That’s why a new free Small Business Financing course is being offered, beginning in September.

Mary Ellen Judah, NCI’s executive director, said the NCI staff has developed a series of trainings to prepare small business owners for the journey. She said registration is now open for a two-part training series.

The first session, “Small Business Financing,” will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., at TARCOG, 4976 Corporate Drive NW, Huntsville.

“People can expect to discover business financing options, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Revolving Loan Funds, and learn what lenders want to see in an application,” Mary Ellen said.

The second session, “Becoming Loan Ready,” will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., also at TARCOG.

This class will explore how credit, balance sheets, cash flow, resumes, business plans and other documents impact loan decisions, Mary Ellen said.

“We believe these classes will be extremely beneficial for those looking to start a new business or expand an existing one,” Mary Ellen said. “Helping entrepreneurs secure the capital needed to start a business is the very reason that we exist.”

She said that by attending both sessions, participants will have their application fee waived if they apply for financing through the loan fund.

For example, she said TARCOG has a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and partners with NCI to administer its RLF through the North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund, LLC.

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

TARCOG Economic Development and Planning Director Lee Terry said the flexibility of the RLF program can be a game changer for small businesses.

Mary Ellen said the program helps strengthen the community by providing small business owners with access to flexible financing and a lending partner that can work alongside them as their businesses grow and their needs evolve. This relationship-based approach allows the program to tailor financing solutions to the borrower’s circumstances while supporting the long-term sustainability and growth of the business. It’s one example of how start-up or existing businesses can potentially meet their funding needs.

Click here to register by Friday, Sept. 18.

For more information, contact Migdalia Gomez, NCI community and economic initiative coordinator by email or at 256-534-0075 ext. 409.

To help turn dreams into reality, TARCOG and Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. (NCI) are presenting a new free Small Business Financing course, beginning in September.

August 28, 2026

The Alabama Department of Transportation has announced ATRIP-ll applications for transportation projects costing up to $2 million are now available online. 

ATRIP-II is an ALDOT administered transportation infrastructure grant program for projects of local interest created in the Rebuild Alabama Act of 2019. Transportation projects which improve any state-maintained highway system are acceptable projects eligible for grant funding. Local roads and bridges are not eligible except for incidental work that is necessary in order to complete the improvements to a state route. 

Who may apply? Any local county or municipal government within the State of Alabama is eligible to apply.  Local governments can apply for only one project. Multiple submissions will not be accepted.

Information, application and instructions are available on the ALDOT website

All applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.

Anyone needing guidance may reach out to the TARCOG Economic Development & Planning staff at 256-830-0818.

August 25, 2026

Join Launch Regional Partnership for the Inaugural North Alabama Regional Transportation Summit – Sept. 14, 2026.

Registration is now open for the North Alabama Transportation Summit (NARTS) — an inaugural regional convening dedicated to advancing transportation across North Alabama. The Launch Land Use and Infrastructure Committee has planned an exceptional day for the region. Tickets are $25.

This in-person event will be held at the Huntsville Marriott – U.S. Space & Rocket Center. It will bring together elected officials, industry leaders, and community partners for a full day of discussion, connection, and strategy focused on strengthening our region’s transportation assets and supporting economic growth.

Event Schedule

• 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM — Registration and Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM — Opening Session with Representative Dale Strong (5th Congressional District)
• 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM — Breakout Sessions: Walking/Cycling/Greenways, Aviation, Transit
• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Breakout Sessions: Tourism, Logistics (Freight), Marine
• 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM — Lunch and Guest Speaker: John Cooper, Director, ALDOT

Why Attend

This is a rare opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of transportation in North Alabama. Whether your focus is freight, transit, aviation, tourism, or greenways, you’ll connect with the key stakeholders driving investment and collaboration across the region.

Seats are limited — reserve yours today.

Get Your Ticket Here

August 24, 2026

This fall, Trust for Public Land is launching Appalachia United Outdoors, a free, three-month virtual Community of Practice to help Appalachian communities develop and advance an outdoor recreation vision.

The Appalachia United Outdoors (AUO) Communities of Practice is a free, virtual capacity-building and learning network that connects communities across the region to experts and peers to advance local conservation and recreation goals. For our Fall 2026 series, we will focus on Implementing Your Outdoor Recreation Vision & Plan.

The first offering of this multi-year series will support public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and relevant private sector partners seeking to Implement an Outdoor Recreation Vision and Plan. This virtual series will offer data, research, case studies, and actionable tools participants can use to execute a community-led outdoor recreation vision and effectively engage stakeholders and decision-makers. With support from peers, TPL staff, and local experts, participants will lay the foundation necessary to advance conservation and outdoor recreation goals in their communities. 

This workshop series will provide a curated blend of:

• Virtual workshops (90 minutes) to enhance local capacity for impactful practices;
• Subject matter experts and case studies to strengthen your local strategies;
• Small peer breakout groups to apply learnings to local contexts;
• Knowledge hub and networking to increase resource exchange and deepen collaboration.

The sessions will focus on outdoor recreation economies and their benefits and risks, community-led messaging and engagement, and developing an outdoor recreation vision and framework. Participants will learn practical strategies while connecting with peers from across Appalachia.

Importantly, communities don’t need an established outdoor recreation plan to participate. We’re looking for communities at any stage—from those just starting to explore outdoor recreation opportunities to those actively developing or building from an existing vision.

Series Topics and Dates:
This is a monthly commitment, meeting from September to November 2026. We will meet on Thursdays from 12pm-1:30pm ET, covering the following topics:

• 10, 2026 — Outdoor Recreation Economies: Benefits and Risks
• 8, 2026 — Messaging & Engagement for a Community-Led Vision
• 5, 2026 — Your Outdoor Recreation Vision and Framework

Register here by Tuesday, Sept. 8.

July 9, 2026

The Alabama Department of Transportation’s North Region will host a public involvement meeting on July 15, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the ALDOT North Region Office – First Floor Conference Room, 1525 Perimeter Parkway in Huntsville.

The North Region includes Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties.

At this meeting, the public is invited to discuss and comment on the Statewide Transportation Plan (SWTP). Comments received during the meeting will help shape Alabama’s next Statewide Transportation Plan.

What is the SWTP and why does it matter?

The SWTP evaluates the current transportation system and identifies improvement and maintenance strategies from now through 2050, to help meet the state’s economic development, transportation and sustainability goals. The plan helps guide how transportation dollars are invested over the next 20 years. It helps identify current and future transportation needs and priorities and supports investments that improve safety, mobility and economic growth. Alabama’s transportation infrastructure includes the highway system, transit and all rail lines, bicycle and pedestrian operations, freight operations, airports and waterways.

Transportation planning decisions can affect residents in many ways, including:

• Safer roads and bridges
• Reduced congestion
• Better freight movement that supports jobs and businesses
• Improved hurricane evacuation routes
• Airport improvements that support economic development
• Better access for walking, biking and transit where appropriate
• Preserving existing infrastructure before it deteriorates

Why public input matters

Public input is a critical part of the planning process because it helps ALDOT identify transportation needs, challenges and priorities that may not be evident through data and engineering studies alone.

This meeting is an informal open house format. Representatives of ALDOT will be present for any concerns and questions. Provisions will be made to receive your comments at the meeting.

Public input gathered during the meeting will help identify transportation priorities and future needs in the North Region.

Anyone with disabilities needing special assistance should contact ALDOT at 256-505-4955, at least five business days before the meeting and specify the type of assistance needed.

May 15, 2026

Separate sealed bids for Site Improvements and Infrastructure Upgrades to Moon Lake Village Main Building will be received by The Town of Mentone at the office of the town clerk until 2 p.m., CST, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Read full announcement

May 19, 2026

In accordance with 23 CFR 450 planning guidelines, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is required to review its consultation process with local officials every five years.

The process is in ALDOT’s Public Involvement Plan (PIP). Click here for the link to ALDOT website where the PIP is located. 

TARCOG is assisting ALDOT by requesting feedback from local officials in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. Comments on the effectiveness of the cooperative planning process should be submitted to ALDOT — no later than July 6, 2026.

Please submit comments to Ms. Toni M. Arrington, Office Engineer Bureau, by email at arringtont@dot.state.al.us or postal mail at 1409 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery, AL  36110, .

If you have any questions, please call Ms. Arrington at 334-242-6085.

April 21, 2026

TAP FOR FY 2027 

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is soliciting applications for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) for FY 2027. 

All applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 pm on May 29, 2026.

Applications should he submitted using https://aldot.submittable.com/submit.

Please refer to the FY 2027 Transportation Alternative Set-Aside Guidelines and the FY 2027 Transportation Alternative Set-Aside Application for details about the program and the application submittal process. The guidelines and the application can both be found on the ALDOT website, https://www.dot.state.al.us/programs/TAP

The current deadline for application submittals and the subsequent announcement of project selections will allow sponsors to receive a notice of award before the start of the upcoming fiscal year. This will allow sponsors an opportunity to program the required matching funds into their upcoming fiscal year’s operating budgets.

If you should have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Local Transportation Bureau office at 334-242-6020 or your ALDOT Area Local Transportation Engineer.

SECTION 5310

Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program

The Local Transportation Bureau of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is now accepting Applications for funding through the Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. This program is supported by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and offers funding to help provide transit services for the State’s population of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

The following organizations are eligible to submit an application for the Section 5310 program:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Public bodies/Governmental Authorities that certify to the Governor that no nonprofit corporations or associations are readily available in the proposed area to provide the service
• Public bodies/Governmental agencies approved by ALDOT to coordinate transit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities

Those eligible may apply for Capital Assistance. For Capital Assistance through the Section 5310 Program, funding is provided with an 80/20 split: FTA/Provider respectively.

There are two Section 5310 opportunities in the TARCOG Region of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marhsall counties, including:

• The annual FY 2027 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Huntsville Urbanized Area Application for federal assistance provided by the Federal Transit Administration. This application and related documents can additionally be found on the ALTRANS website at www.altrans.org/resources and are available for distributing to qualifying organizations in the urbanized area of Huntsville.

• The annual FY 2027 Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Application for federal assistance provided by the Federal Transit Administration. This application and related documents can additionally be found on the ALTRANS website at www.altrans.org/resources and are available for distributing to qualifying organizations in your regions.

The deadline for submitting applications to TARCOG for review and endorsement is 5:00 P.M. on June 15, 2026.

TARCOG Economic Development & Planning Director Lee Terry said TARCOG must submit the Section 5310 applications to ALDOT by 5 p.m., on June 22. No late applications will be accepted.

If dropping off applications for review, please remember TARCOG has moved to its new office at 4976 Corporate Drive NW, Huntsville. The office is near the intersection of Corporate and Old Monrovia Road. If mailing, send to TARCOG ED&P, PO Box 1087, Huntsville, AL 35807.

Should you have any questions or need technical assistance with the application development process, please reach out to Ms. Lauren Heikkinen, at 256-658-9691 or heikkinenl@dot.state.al.us

For more information about this opportunity or assistance with an application, please contact TARCOG Economic Development & Planning Staff at 256-830-0818.

March 30, 2026

With growth accelerating across North Alabama, leaders in Jackson County are taking proactive steps to ensure the community is ready for what’s ahead.

How it started

What began as a conversation about preparation has now turned into a major regional effort. For Jackson County, the real work started with a federal grant worth $150,000 that TARCOG helped secure from the federal Economic Development Administration and Department of Commerce. The county contributed another $37,000 in local matching funds, allowing the county to move forward with a comprehensive Economic Resiliency Plan.

“At the time, we recognized that while North Alabama was experiencing rapid growth in manufacturing, retail and other sectors, Jackson County did not yet have a plan in place,” Jackson County Commission Chair Bill Nance said. “If you’re not prepared, growth can quickly strain infrastructure and services.”

Through a competitive selection process, the county engaged a consulting firm and formed a steering committee representing a broad cross-section of the community. Over the course of a year, the group worked to evaluate current conditions and plan for the next 15 to 20 years.

The effort included interviews with local officials, educators and first responders, along with public meetings and focus groups covering key sectors such as industry, tourism, infrastructure and education. Participants helped identify strengths and weaknesses, while also offering input on future needs.

Resiliency Plan Approved

Nance said the final plan, approved in November 2024, outlines priorities aimed at strengthening the county’s ability to support long-term growth. These include expanding utility capacity, increasing workforce participation, improving mobile phone coverage, accelerating housing development and generating additional revenue to support public infrastructure and services.

Unlike many planning efforts, the work in Jackson County did not stop when the report was completed.

Ongoing efforts

Nance said a core group of steering committee members continue meeting regularly, taking ownership of key action items and working collaboratively to address identified challenges.

One major focus has been utility infrastructure—particularly natural gas availability. Limited capacity is already a barrier to growth, prompting regional partners to come together on a solution.

Expanding the reach

Nance said after two failed attempts, Jackson county officials reached out to utilities providers in Huntsville and Athens about creating a cooperative gas district. Now utility providers from across North Alabama are working to develop a proposed 137-mile natural gas pipeline that would extend from Mississippi across the region, creating a reliable, long-term supply to support future demand.

“This is the kind of project that requires regional cooperation,” Nance said. “Some areas may not feel the impact yet, but with growth coming, they will.”

Additional efforts are underway to explore expanded economic opportunities, including renewed interest in developing a river port to support agriculture and industry. Nance said the commission has also reactivated a previously established port authority board to help move that concept forward.

Other plan highlights

The plan also highlights the importance of addressing housing availability, supporting tourism-related infrastructure and evaluating large-scale projects that could further strengthen the local economy.

Guiding this work is a diverse steering committee that includes representatives from local government, education, healthcare, business and industry. Together, they are helping ensure the plan remains a living document—one that continues to evolve as progress is made.

Through continued collaboration among local, regional, state and federal partners, Jackson County is positioning itself to manage growth effectively while enhancing quality of life for its residents.

TARCOG is proud to support these efforts and remains committed to assisting communities across the region with planning and implementation strategies promoting long-term resilience and economic vitality.

The Jackson County Economic Resiliency Plan was approved in late 2024. Guiding the continued work of this plan is a diverse steering committee that includes representatives from local government, education, healthcare, business and industry. Together, they are helping ensure the plan remains a living document—one that continues to evolve as progress is made.

February 12, 2026

Valor Scientific is a joint effort of co-founders, from left, Bethany Blake, Andrew Kodani, PhD, and Matthew Knuesel, PhD

Valor Scientific, Inc., is a new biotechnology company in Madison with a vision to impact human research and healthcare by serving the real-world needs of research labs. Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., and TARCOG are helping them get started.

Biotechnology is a field of science that involves using living organisms, cells, and biological processes to develop products and technologies for various applications, ranging from disease prevention, environmental sustainability, and solving critical global issues. 

When the Valor team approached Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., for non-traditional financing to open its new biotechnology lab on Madison Boulevard, the proposal was a winner as a joint funding initiative between NCI and TARCOG. 

Meet the Valor Scientific leaders

The small startup is a joint effort of co-founders, Andrew Kodani, PhD, Bethany Blake, and Matthew Knuesel, PhD.

• Kodani, Chief Executive Officer, as former faculty at Boston Children’s Hospital and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has dedicated his career to helping patients with rare diseases, leading teams to develop research strategy and novel treatments.
• Blake, Chief Operations Officer, is a biotech startup and social enterprise veteran who specializes in data-driven project management and operational development.
• Knuesel, Chief Scientific Officer, is an innovator of bioactive growth factor development with 25 years of expertise in protein engineering & stem cell biology.

Kodani said Valor specializes in manufacturing high-quality human growth factors for research, medical, and commercial uses. They have a mission to innovate systems for scientific breakthroughs and make research more accessible to underserved groups.

The company is opening a new production facility in Madison with the help of a $350,000 loan through NCI and TARCOG.

About Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 146 (FGF2 146)

Valor’s first product to hit the market is called FGF2 146. Blake said the product fuels growth in every cell type and bodily organ, and it is a critical material of cell development in the body and in the lab. FGF2 146 claims to be fueling the next stage of cellular research with a science-proven and an innovative approach to change the way growth factors are manufactured and used.

In the simplest terms, Kodani said Valor offers a new standard for bioactive proteins that are reliable enough for stem cell research, potent enough for wound healing, and refined enough for cosmetic skincare use. This means things its product could impact concerns like bone density loss and fracture repair, post-surgical skin repair, eardrum repair, and even anti-aging skincare.

Giving back

Blake said Valor’s approach combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to positively impact research and patient well-being. Their goal is to create a company that not only pushes scientific breakthroughs, but to also leave a lasting legacy of compassion.

Kodani said kids with rare diseases are only represented by two percent of the National Institute of Health’s annual budget. As Valor Scientific grows, he said they are committed to working with nonprofit family foundations to provide affordable and accessible research solutions through our social enterprise research arm. 

Valor’s first collaboration is with the Coffin-Lowry Syndrome Foundation— a Huntsville-based nonprofit dedicated to support and awareness for families affected by this rare genetic condition characterized by severe intellectual disability and developmental delay.

Through this collaboration, Valor Scientific is proud to support scientific discovery and advocacy that directly impacts members of Huntsville, the state of Alabama — and beyond.