Shoals Chamber of Commerce Secures $20,000 Grant and Joins Innovate Alabama Network
The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce a significant development in its mission to foster innovation and enhance the economic vitality of the Shoals. Thanks to a generous grant of $20,000 from Innovate Alabama, and the decision to join the prestigious Innovate Alabama Network, the Shoals Chamber is poised to accelerate its efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship through the Shoals Shift initiative.

At the heart of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce's mandate is a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and innovators in the Shoals. Over the last nine years, Shoals Shift has proven to be a central feature of that mission by providing big ideas and startups with the resources needed to establish a presence in the Shoals.

The Innovate Alabama Network serves as a comprehensive resource that connects communities, nonprofits and higher education institutions across the state who are fostering innovation in their own backyard. Through this designation program, Innovate Alabama recognizes those who are shaping the state’s ecosystem. “Through the Innovate Alabama Network, we’re focused on developing a statewide network for innovation programming and catalyzing entrepreneurship in all of our communities, large and small,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “The program has become extremely competitive in this second round, with record-breaking engagement. As we continue to expand the Innovate Alabama Network, we’re eager to build on this momentum and create more resources that help foster connections among the designees.”   

Joining the Innovate Alabama Network marks a significant milestone for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. Established in 2020, Innovate Alabama is a state-led initiative dedicated to catalyzing innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation across the state. By becoming part of this dynamic network of nonprofits, higher education institutions, and municipalities, the Shoals Chamber gains access to a wealth of resources, expertise, and opportunities that will fuel its mission to drive economic growth in the Shoals. The $20,000 grant from Innovate Alabama represents more than just financial support; it recognizes that the Shoals Chamber is an organization shaping the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With this funding, the Chamber will be able to further develop the Shoals Shift initiative. Shoals Shift is a creative effort to attract, nurture, and promote the Shoals creative and tech economy through collaboration between the Shoals Chamber, Shoals EDA, Shoals Business Incubator, Bank Independent, and the University of North Alabama. Over the last nine years, Shoals Shift has awarded tens of thousands of dollars to innovative thinkers and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Shoals through a series of pitch competitions.

The Shoals Chamber is energized for future opportunities to be created by linking and leveraging the resources of Innovate Alabama and the power of collaboration within the Innovate Alabama Network. This partnership is sure to drive meaningful change and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Shoals region.