Forbes names Huntsville, Al one of the top smart cities in the World!

Forbes Article Lists Huntsville As One of The World's Smartest Cities

HUNTSVILLE, AL—

A new article by Forbes says Huntsville is one of the world's smartest cities. In fact, we come in at number nine. The article cites factors such as upward mobility and economic progress.

The Forbes article says Huntsville "has long had a 'smart' core to its economy, a legacy of its critical role in the NASA ballistic missile program. Today the area's traditional emphasis on aerospace has been joined by bold moves into such fields as biotechnology." Kiplinger recently ranked the area's economy No. 1 in the nation.

Huntsville is a premier location in the southeast for technology, space, and defense research. Home to the Army's Redstone Arsenal, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and Cummings Research Park, it is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live and work.
Cummings research park is the 2nd largest technology park in the United States and the 4th largest in the world. Today it houses more than 285 technology companies, 25,000 employees, 175 buildings, and 9.5 million square feet.
Huntsville and Madison schools have a long tradition of excellence in English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Magnet school programs in Huntsville/Madison reach beyond traditional course work and introduce students to international social studies, language, space science, computer science, engineering, and performing arts.

As for aerospace, Huntsville isn't called Rocket City for nothing. The giant rocket replica that pierces the Huntsville skyline not only makes a handy reference point for out-of-towners but also represents Huntsville's storied -- and still strong -- role in space exploration. The site of the historic test launch of the Saturn V rocket, which put the U.S. space mission one step closer to the moon, Huntsville houses an original Saturn V at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and hosts thousands of students each year at the center's Space Camp. The Marshall Space Flight Center, part of NASA, employs 2,500 scientists, many of whom are working on the next moon launch.
All those scientists and engineers create a bubbling brew of brainpower that attracts other intellectuals. Says Rick Davis, director of Cummings Research Park, "Smart people come here." Huntsville encourages the influx by offering companies below-market real estate prices and room to grow at Cummings, which encompasses 3,800 acres. The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a recent arrival, represents Huntsville's foray into the next frontier. HudsonAlpha translates the results of the Human Genome Project into the development of new, targeted medicines. Says director Richard Myers, "In five years, we will all be taking our genomic sequence with us to the doctor's office."

Huntsville's strong economy, combined with a scenic, mountain-view setting, a historical downtown, top-quality museums and a 110-acre botanical garden, encourages residents to stay put and newcomers to stream in. Says Battle: "This place never misses a beat."