ATHENS, Ala. — Limestone County Economic Development Association President and CEO Bethany Shockney said a U.S. News and World Report revealed, "...we were identified as the best place to live in the country.
"It's Huntsville MSA, the metro area of Huntsville. We are part of the Huntsville MSA and therefore, Limestone County is the best place to live in the country," she said.
Shockney stated that the county has seen about 3.3% growth. "Y'all, that is about ten people per day that move into this community."
Another initiative that LCEDA is involved in is scholarships. "We have taken on the responsibility to help our industries by providing career and technical education and scholarships."
LCEDA has also partnered with the Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, and this year all nine recipients will have the opportunity to renew their scholarships. "So we told them last year that if they met certain criteria that we would consider renewing that scholarship, a $1500 scholarship, that they would get first right of refusal for the monies that were raised for this current year."
Eight scholarships were renewed, and because of everyone's generosity. "We can award six more $1500 dollars scholarships for new." Motivational speaker Dr. Karockas Watkins said all of the positive things that are happening right now in Limestone County would not be possible without great leadership. "These are not just happening in Limestone because our head is in the sand is happening because you are looking up and you're looking around."
Shockney agrees and says none of this would also be possible without such great people in the community. "Because of the great quality of life that we have, that quality of place that we can promote."