Resources to help keep your world moving

Sometimes it happens — a house can sustain major damage with almost no warning, and no way for a homeowner to prevent it. Whether it’s a storm, flooding or burst pipe, these are unlucky and unfortunate circumstances, but you can be prepared for what to do next if it happens to you. If your home has sustained major damage from water, it will likely need some significant repairs. Often water damage will require replacing floors, furniture and even walls. It’s important to know the right steps to take to minimize hassles after damage and to restore your property to its original state as quickly as possible. Immediate Steps to Take After a Pipe Burst 1. Contact Your Insurance Agent Right Away Start the claims process immediately. Your agent should be working alongside you to get you the help you need and to ensure you receive reimbursements for qualified expenses. 2....

Medical facilities have enough responsibilities on their plates. The logistics of relocating their medical practices shouldn’t be one of them. The right moving partner can take care of the day-to-day preparations for your relocation with expertise and efficiency, freeing you up to focus on your patients. But in the sea of legitimate and fraudulent moving companies advertising online, how do you know which is the right fit for your medical office? There are some critical factors to consider when determining who you will trust with your sensitive equipment, electronics, patient files and furniture. Cut through the noise by asking potential moving partners these five questions. Are you a full-service moving company? When it comes to healthcare relocations, finding a full-service moving company is a must. Rather than just providing last-minute labor, a full-service moving company is your dedicated support for every last detail, from the initial planning and budgeting to...

Take a short drive around Huntsville, and you might see several “Now Hiring” signs posted in company windows. When COVID-19 first swept across the United States, several industries laid off or furloughed workers at record rates. Now, the job market has largely recovered, but businesses face new challenges in finding workers. In November, Alabama Department of Labor data showed that the state had 28,657 more online job postings than unemployed people. Experts predict the gap will continue to grow in the coming months. Local businesses must rethink their hiring, benefits and operations to stay competitive. Here’s how three Huntsville industries have pivoted their recruiting strategies to find the help they need amid nationwide labor shortages. Healthcare Sweeping labor shortages have hit few industries as hard as they’ve hit hospitals. One in five U.S. healthcare workers left their jobs between the start of the pandemic and November 2021, The Atlantic reported....

Explosive Huntsville development brings new meaning to the nickname “Rocket City.” Exciting new dining, apartment, shopping and recreation options are popping up all over Huntsville, attracting national headlines and rocketing the city up to No. 1 on the U.S. News & World Report’s prestigious Best Places to Live list. Huntsville is teeming with possibility, and families are taking note. The metro’s high quality of life, low median housing costs and groundbreaking new development make it the perfect relocation destination. One of the city’s most highly anticipated developments is The Orion Amphitheater. This new music venue has the potential to bring even more jobs, families, energy and status to the greater Huntsville area. Here’s what to know about The Orion, its legendary opening and its anticipated impact on Huntsville. Inside The Orion Amphitheater The Orion Amphitheater was an ambitious $40-million project to build an 8,000-capacity outdoor venue in the heart of...

As the job market in Huntsville, Alabama soars, young professionals and families are racing to plant roots in the nearby town of Harvest. Located 15 miles Northwest of the Huntsville metro, Harvest perfectly blends the joys of country and city living. Residents can work in the city by day — exploring the hustle and bustle of Rocket City and its up-and-coming employers — before returning to Harvest’s quaint, quiet community. With stellar public schools, beautiful landscapes and low unemployment rates, Harvest has become one of the most popular places to buy a home in Northern Alabama. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about moving to this town. Employment Harvest is a short 30-minute drive from downtown Huntsville, making it an ideal suburb for commuters. Harvest residents are highly educated and benefit from its neighbor’s strong economy and low unemployment rates. According to the Alabama Department of Labor,...

It’s no secret that Huntsville, Alabama is one of the country’s top-ranking places for families to live, study and work. As the area continues to experience explosive residential growth, companies nationwide are taking note and following suit with new development. Historically known as “Rocket City,” Huntsville quickly developed a reputation in recent years as a leading city for the technology and aerospace sectors. Now, the city’s ambitious Redstone Gateway business park is turning the region into an economic powerhouse. The Redstone Gateway is a sprawling 468-acre multiuse business complex that is home to office buildings, stores, a data center, condominiums, restaurants and more. Led by Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) and Jim Wilson & Associates, the park boasts more than four million square feet in development capacity. Here are four reasons why employers are gobbling up space in the park: Easy Access to the Redstone Arsenal Located just outside of...

What County is Owens Cross Roads in? Owens Cross Roads is nestled in Madison County, Alabama. This county is renowned for its rich history, diverse cultural offerings, and stunning natural landscapes. As a part of Madison County, Owens Cross Roads benefits from the county's strong economy, excellent schools, and abundant recreational opportunities. Owens Cross Roads may be one of the smaller towns in the Huntsville region, but it may not stay that way for long. As more businesses are rushing to Rocket City, more families are settling down in the city limits of Owens Cross Roads, its quieter, quirkier neighbor. The area continues to receive new acclaim, attracting exciting new construction and growth that are unlikely to slow down anytime soon. If you’re thinking about moving to this charming town, here’s what you need to know about its people, places, amenities and more. A Brief History of Owens Cross Roads...

The rest of the country is finally recognizing what locals already know — Madison County is one of the best places to live in the United States. Money Magazine named Madison County 12th on its 2021 list of the best places to live in the U.S. AreaVibes and Stacker both called Madison County the best place to live in Alabama. U.S. Census data consistently shows Madison County as one of Alabama's fastest-growing areas. If you are thinking about jumping on the Madison County bandwagon, here are six things to look forward to by living in this great location. Big-city perks with a small-town atmosphere Madison County has a population of nearly 400,000, with the cities of Huntsville and Madison being its most popular destinations. Across the county, residents experience the amenities of big cities with the Southern charm of small towns. The city of Madison is known for its quaint...

Companies are finally starting to reopen their in-person workplaces. However, those office spaces look a little different than they did pre-pandemic. Businesses are increasingly adopting hybrid models for employees who want the flexibility to choose between face-to-face and virtual work environments. The Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index found that more than 70 percent of workers wanted remote options to continue, but more than 65 percent longed for more time in person with their teams. As a result of these differing work preferences, Microsoft found that most surveyed business leaders were considering complete redesigns of their offices. Two of the most common buzzwords right now for creating hybrid workplaces are “right-sizing” and “desk hoteling.” Both provide ways for future-looking businesses to maximize their spaces while accommodating diverse workforces. Option 1: Right-Sizing A company can right-size its office by taking a critical look at its footprint, repurposing assets and filling missing gaps...

Even amid pandemic-era disruptions, Huntsville is exploding with new development. Huntsville is already home to some of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. This year, 34 companies in the Huntsville metro made the esteemed Inc. 5000 list. Now, even more of the nation’s corporate giants are bringing their businesses to this thriving city. As the innovation hub of the South, Huntsville is teeming with million-dollar expansion projects and new jobs. In particular, three industries are growing their presences in the Huntsville and Madison County area. Here’s what you need to know about the major local players and why they’re betting on Huntsville to prosper. Aerospace and Defense Aptly nicknamed “Rocket City,” Huntsville has been a capital for aerospace and defense since World War II. In the 1940s, the U.S. government established the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a 38,000-square-foot facility for chemical manufacturing that now houses the army’s missile and...