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Arab/Marshall County: Community Profile |
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| It was a long and winding path that led to Arab’s incorporation as a city in 1892.
Prior to the post office being established, the city was known as Thompson’s Village, named for the Thompson family, who had moved into what is now Arab in 1858. When the local post office was established in 1882, the names Ink, Bird and Arad were submitted. The “d” in Arad (a first name in the Thompson family) was mistaken for a “b,” and the name Arab was approved. Originally inhabited by the Cherokee, Arab’s first settlers came from Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. |
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| The following are headlines courtesy of The Arab Tribune:
7/3/02: Arab High School Health Occupations Students of America Scholars Bowl Team National Champs 3/12/03: Arab High School Robot rolls away with Chairman’s Award in Regional Competition 3/31/04: Arab Junior High School Scholars Bowl wins 4th straight State Beta Bowl 6/24/04: Arab High School Health Occupation Students of America Scholars Bowl Team 2nd in Nation 10/13/04: “Outside the Rural Mold” – Cullman & Marshall rank 2nd and 3rd among rural counties with ‘vitality’. When it comes to economic vitality, Cullman & Marshall are AL’s top ranked rural counties, according to a new report entitled Crossroads & Connections: Strategies for Rural Alabama, by Dr. Joe Sumner, Auburn University. They beat out 10 metro counties including Montgomery, Jefferson and Mobile. 3/1/05: Arab City Schools ACT Scores Receive all A’s. 8/3/05: The Southeast Tourism Society ranks Arab’s Christmas in the Park One of its Top 20 Events for October-December ‘05 8/17/05: Arab City Schools ranked 5th in the State on the Stanford Achievement Test. 11/5/05: Marshall County is 2nd in State in Pulling In Shoppers from Outlying Areas |
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 The local economy of the Arab area is, for the most part, a mirror image of the other small town economies throughout Marshall County and is reflective of the following characteristics: (1) a large percentage of its workers commute to high paying jobs in the Huntsville/Madison County region to the north; (2) relatively steady growth in small industry sectors; and, (3) continued increase in retail development. The latter has, for the most part, been stimulated by the higher incomes of commuters residing in the community and contributing to the City of Arab’s ability to fund its school system as well as public improvements and services. However, local job opportunities still exist for those residents who do not want to commute.
Over the past decade local industrial employment has shifted from somewhat larger companies, such as those involved in the electronic and apparel assembly sectors to smaller employers, including plants involved in automotive parts production, plastic injection molding, monofilament, chemicals, and silk flower arrangements. Arab is also part of a vital agricultural region, where both large and small farms add to the area’s economy. Poultry is the main source of agricultural income, with other contributions coming from fruit, vegetables, corn, soybeans, hay, hogs, and beef and dairy cattle. One new effort to take advantage of the community’s business spirit is the City’s development of a business incubator, designed to assist entrepreneurs in the establishment of new businesses to ultimately expand out into the community and create even more jobs. This expansion is intended to make room for other entrepreneurs in the incubator facility. From a retail perspective familiar national chain stores can be found standing on their own, in strip malls, and on Brindlee Mountain Parkway (U.S. Highway 231) to serve the approximately 33,200 people who live in the greater Arab area.
Websites: |
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The mayor is the administrator of city government. Council members have varied responsibilities, which include setting city policy, adopting an annual budget that is prepared by the mayor, and serving on various committees. Websites: |
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www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd |
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| Typically, newcomers to the Arab area, or their spouses, have not had difficulty in obtaining employment. Unemployment rates for Marshall County have traditionally remained below the national average. Employment is often available in local businesses or industries, or with local governments or school systems. The Alabama Employment Service provides on-line job listings, and offers individual assistance with job searches. In addition, Marshall County Economic Development Council periodically holds local Job Fairs. Recent industrial growth and increased retail development also improves job opportunities. Of course, growth in the space and defense related industries in Huntsville provide employment in high paying jobs with a close commuting proximity. Moreover, representatives of the Arab Area BRAC Committee will be available to assist those relocating to the area in their efforts in finding employment. Websites: |
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| Arab offers a variety of local events that has something for everyone. In the Spring of each year, downtown celebrates the Poke Salat Festival, named for a local vegetable. Arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, children’s activities and even a poke salat cooking contest make this event a fun time for everyone. In the summer, Arab Parks and Recreation personnel host their annual Horse Show, which brings enthusiasts from all over the southeast. This show has been recognized 4 times as best show. In the Fall, the Arab Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Community Fair. This event brings in arts and crafts vendors from all over the southeast and also has entertainment, children’s activities and all kinds of delicious foods, as well. In the Winter, the Arab City Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland as we celebrate Christmas in the Park. Over 1,000,000,000 lights illuminate and enchant this already lovely facility. Entertainment is provided by local groups on the weekends and the lights are on each evening from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. This event was recently recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as on one of the Top 20 events for the Holiday Season.
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| Additional opportunities for volunteer service in the Arab area are related to public safety, emergency management, and homeland security. The City of Arab and its surrounding communities have opportunities for volunteer fire service. The City also has a volunteer rescue squad. In addition, emergency management volunteers serve as storm watchers, ham radio operators, and as members of damage assessment teams. Other homeland security activities have generated a need for new volunteer organizations.
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| From countryside congregations to inner-city services, many types of churches, of nearly all kinds of denominations, are represented in and around Arab, Alabama.
The first churches in Arab were Methodist and Gilliam Springs, which were founded around 1883. Today, the First United Methodist Church (the area’s oldest church) is thriving at 1058 N. Main Street. There are worship services at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. every Sunday and an evening service at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month. Most Protestant denominations, including the following, are found in Arab: Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Church of God and Assembly of God. Rice Church, now relocated to the city park and used for weddings and singings, is an old country church originally located about 5 miles outside the city limits. Rice Church was built around 1910 and was originally a Primitive Baptist Church. Websites: |
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Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
225 Church Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 Phone: (256) 535-2000 | Toll Free: (866) 854-7551 | Fax: (256) 535-2015 | ltraylor@hsvchamber.org All Rights Reserved Web hosting funded through a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor. |