History of LaunchBox at Athens State University

Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) had been a key player in continuing
education and community outreach since its opening in 2012 at 121 South Marion Street on the historic
Courthouse Square. In 2022, the CLL was awarded two significant grants—one from the United States
Department of Agriculture and another from the Appalachian Regional Commission. These grants were
instrumental in transforming the CLL into the LaunchBox at Athens State University.

Over the following years, the University Administration, in a strategic and collaborative effort, engaged
with stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, local business leaders, and community organizations
such as the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce, the City of Athens, the Limestone County
Economic Development Association, and Athens Main Street. These discussions were pivotal in
reshaping the CLL into a dynamic business incubator, now known as the LaunchBox at Athens State
University.

Recognizing the rapid growth in Limestone County, the fastest-growing county in Alabama, and its
significance within the Huntsville Metropolitan Statistical Area, it became clear that a dedicated facility
to support and train small businesses was essential. LaunchBox emerged as the solution, providing a
collaborative workspace and comprehensive services such as business development assistance,
community educational programs, and business coaching