Council Member Michelle Watkins
Michelle Watkins is a proud native of Huntsville, deeply committed to her community and dedicated to giving every voice a platform. She believes that true leadership involves understanding the concerns of her neighbors and actively advocating for solutions that benefit all residents.
Michelle’s journey to the City Council is marked by perseverance and a lifelong dedication to making a difference. With eight years of experience on the Huntsville City School Board, she is eager to drive positive change within the district and beyond.
As a lifelong resident of Huntsville, Michelle graduated from James Oliver Johnson High School before pursuing higher education at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master’s in Secondary Education, and an Education Specialist Degree. Her commitment to leadership is further exemplified by her graduation from Leadership Huntsville Focus Class 27 and her certification as an Oracle Instructor.
City invests $2.7 million to continue rental, utility assistance program
April 10, 2025
The City of Huntsville reaffirmed its commitment to affordable housing with a $2.7 million grant to Huntsville Housing Helps, a rental and utility assistance program serving residents in need. At its meeting Thursday, the Huntsville City Council approved a resolution to transfer $2.7 million in U.S. Treasury funds to the Catholic Center of Concern, which administers the Huntsville Housing Helps program. Launched in 2022, the initiative, created by the City of [more]
Read MoreCity of Huntsville approves $300,000 in grants to help most vulnerable residents
March 27, 2025
Nine local agencies serving Huntsville’s most vulnerable residents will receive about $300,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from the City. The City approved nine resolutions authorizing Community Development to administer the grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Under the conditions of ADECA’s 2024 ESG Program, Huntsville Community Development Manager Scott Erwin said the City could only distribute funds to nonprofit organizations that provide services to the [more]
Read MoreHuntsville Parks & Recreation hosts third annual MLK Youth Basketball Clinic & Canned Food Drive
February 7, 2025
Young athletes looking to sharpen their basketball skills while giving back to the community are invited to sign up for Huntsville Parks & Recreation’s MLK Youth Basketball Clinic. The free clinic is Sunday, Feb. 23, from 1-4 p.m. at Optimist Recreation Center, 703 Oakwood Ave. NE. Led by experienced coaches, the clinic is open to boys and girls ages 8-13. A canned food donation is requested but not required. Donated items will go [more]
Read MoreCity agreement with Breeze Airways to lead to more destinations
January 24, 2025
The City of Huntsville and Breeze Airways reached agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will expand the low-cost carrier’s portfolio at Huntsville International Airport. Under terms of the MOU, Breeze will operate at least two weekly flights from Huntsville to Tampa, Orlando and Las Vegas for a total of six flights a week (24 flights per month). Breeze will receive $10,000 per month in base incentive payment to meet [more]
Read MoreCity awards grant funds to eight local organizations
January 23, 2025
Eight local organizations will soon receive grant funds from the City of Huntsville through a program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At its January 23 meeting, City Council authorized the City’s Community Development Office to distribute Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the following organizations: Alabama Non-Violent Offenders Organization – $15,000 Funds will be used for the operating costs and administrative salaries of personnel overseeing the Non-Violent [more]
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