Regionalism took center stage in Decatur this week as elected officials, business leaders, and civic stakeholders gathered for the 7th annual State of the Region luncheon hosted by the LAUNCH Regional Partnership. The event, marking LAUNCH’s 10th anniversary, served as a milestone moment for the organization and its growing coalition across North Alabama.
At the luncheon, LAUNCH leaders unveiled a forward-looking strategic plan aimed at aligning the region’s economic and policy objectives across all ten counties within the Tennessee Valley footprint. With support from the University of North Alabama and guided by extensive data and stakeholder engagement, the new plan seeks to formalize and expand the spirit of collaboration that has long been a hallmark of the region’s success.
“This plan represents a new era of intentional regionalism in North Alabama,” said Jim Page, Chairman of LAUNCH. “By promoting collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions, we’re building the foundation for a stronger, more resilient region together.”
The initiative spans Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties. Through qualitative focus groups and robust economic analysis, the strategic plan offers a detailed roadmap to address challenges like workforce development, transportation, childcare, housing, and land use planning—all with a unified, cross-county approach.
The plan also calls for a dedicated Executive Director and a fully representative Board of Directors, signaling a transition from a volunteer-driven model to a more formalized leadership structure. Governance updates are already underway to match the scale and scope of the organization’s growing impact.
“What makes North Alabama successful is our willingness to work together,” said John Allen, CEO of the Huntsville Committee of 100, the group that originally sparked the idea for LAUNCH. “LAUNCH is helping us think and act more strategically as a region. This plan gives us a pathway for the structure, leadership, and vision we need to ensure long-term competitiveness.”
Over the past decade, LAUNCH has quietly fueled some of the region’s most notable cooperative efforts. It helped catalyze the Singing River Trail, a 220-mile greenway project that has evolved into its own nonprofit entity. It spearheaded a comprehensive regional workforce study, connecting talent development to industry demands. And it created Launch Tank, an annual pitch competition designed to spotlight and support local entrepreneurs.
With the launch of this new strategic plan, leaders hope to build on those wins and move beyond individual successes toward a unified regional identity—one that speaks with one voice and plans with shared purpose. As LAUNCH enters its second decade, the message is clear: North Alabama’s future will be built together.
