August marked an important milestone for North Alabama. At the 7th Annual State of the Region luncheon, leaders from across ten counties gathered not just to reflect on how far we’ve come, but to chart where we’re headed next. The event was also a birthday celebration—ten years of the LaunchRegional Partnership, born from a simple but powerful question: Why can’t our region work better together?

The answer, it turns out, is that we can and we are. Over the last decade, Launch has proven that collaboration across county and city lines doesn’t just make sense, it makes us stronger. Whether it’s economic growth, talent development, or creating places where people want to live and stay, the power of regionalism is clear: we’re better when we move forward as one.

At this year’s gathering, Launch unveiled the new Regional Road Map for North Alabama a shared vision shaped with input from communities across the Tennessee Valley. It’s more than a plan; it’s a commitment to work together on challenges that no single county can solve alone. Among the most important of these is regional land use and infrastructure planning. From roads and utilities to trails and transit, planning at a regional scale ensures we can connect communities, protect our natural beauty, and prepare for growth in ways that benefit everyone.

One of the clearest examples of this spirit of regional collaboration is the Singing River Trail—a bold, 220-mile greenway system designed to link communities across North Alabama. What started as a visionary idea from Launch, it is now a signature regional project, showing how Launch can move big, regional initiatives from concept to reality. More than a trail, it is a backbone for regional connectivity: encouraging healthy lifestyles, creating outdoor recreation opportunities, boosting tourism, and linking talent to jobs. It demonstrates how infrastructure, when planned regionally, can improve quality of life and strengthen economic vitality at the same time.

The new Road Map builds on this momentum with priorities like leadership development programs, cross-county collaborations, and infrastructure strategies that mirror the ambition of the Singing River Trail.

North Alabama is writing its next chapter together. With Launch leading the way, we’re proving that regionalism isn’t just an idea—it’s the future.

Jim Page

Chair, Launch Regional Partnership