FOR RELEASE CONTACT:

April 12, 2011

Harrison Diamond
256.353.2049

John Southerland
256.535.2086
jsoutherland@hsvchamber.org

Huntsville Named No. 5 Small City of the Future

Chamber has the Best Foreign Direct Investment Strategy for Small Cities

The City of Huntsville was named the No. 5 Small City of the Future and community’s
foreign direct investment strategy as managed by the Chamber of Commerce of
Huntsville/Madison County and its partners was named No. 1, according to Courtney
Fingar, the editor of fDi magazine, at the North Alabama International Trade
Association’s World Trade Day. The rankings come from fDI’s first-ever Americas
Cities of the Future.

fDi Intelligence, from The Financial Times Ltd, is the leading provider of foreign direct
investment intelligence. The portfolio encompasses world class products, services and
business tools that allow companies to make informed decisions regarding foreign direct
investment.

“We are excited to receive both of these rankings. We put a lot of effort as a Chamber
and as a community into international business and creating opportunities. And this
recognition illustrates the diversity of our economy,” said Charlie Kettle, the Chamber’s
Chair of the Board of Directors.

fDi Cities of the Future shortlists were created by an independent collection of data by
the fDi Intelligence division across 405 cities throughout North and South America. This
information was set under six categories: Economic Potential, Human resources, Cost
Effectiveness, Quality of life, Infrastructure and Business Friendliness. A seventh
category was added to the scoring – FDI promotion strategy. In this category, 100 cities
submitted details about their promotion strategy and this was judged and scored by an
independent judging panel.

“The news that Huntsville is further recognized internationally now as a ‘City of the
Future,’ is evidence that investors across the globe view Huntsville as a good investment.
I am excited for our citizens and our companies here who are working hard to keep
Huntsville a center of excellence,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

225 Church Street • Huntsville, AL 35801 • 256.535.2000 • Fax 256.535.2015
www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com
The Chamber, which serves as the area’s lead organization for economic development,
was lauded for its international programs that include participation in many international
business recruitment events such as the Farnborough Air Show in London and the Paris
Air Show, as well as trips to Japan and others.

“These rankings validate the hard work of our community and the continued team
approach led by the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County,” Madison
County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie said.

The Rankings for Best Strategy were:

1. Huntsville, Ala.
2. Dayton, OH
3. Richmond, VA
4. Santa Clara, CA
5. Mobile, Ala.
6. Norfolk, VA
7. Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario
8. Cambridge, Ontario
9. St. Johns, Newf’dland
10. Santa Fe Springs, CA

Small Cities of the Future

1. Richmond, VA
2. Santa Clarita, CA
3. Columbia, SC
4. Richmond Hill, Ontario
5. Huntsville, Ala.
6. Ontario, CA
7. Norfolk, VA
8. Jersey, NJ
9. Dayton, OH
10. Mobile, Ala.

The recognition was made fittingly enough at NAITA’s World Trade Day. World Trade
Day recognizes the significance of international trade in the growth and economic well-
being of the region. NAITA and the Madison County Commission co-sponsor this
luncheon, which focuses on the importance of international trade and what it means in
our local communities.

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Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

225 Church Street • Huntsville, AL 35801 • 256.535.2000 • Fax 256.535.2015
Chamber ofwww.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com
Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
225 Church Street • Huntsville, AL 35801 • 256.535.2000 • Fax 256.535.2015
www.HuntsvilleAlabamaUSA.com