Author: admin

Published on January 8, 2026

Huntsville’s latest new retail district continues to expand and progresses towards construction later this year.

The City approved a contract with Schoel Engineering Company for engineering design and construction administration services for public infrastructure improvements related to the North Village Town Center project at Memorial Parkway and State Route 255 (Northern Bypass). The scope of work includes design and engineering services for general mass grading, utilities, and additional roadway improvements for the area.

The City last month announced the $240 million development, which will be anchored by Target and Home Depot. Upon completion, the project will consist of over 600,000 sq. ft. of new retail shops and restaurants.

On the northern side of State Route 255 directly across from North Village Town Center, the City also agreed to sell 15.23 acres of land to Hank Holdings LLC. The property will be developed to deliver additional retail and restaurant tenants to the North Huntsville retail district.

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday held a meeting with a Visa delegation led by Tareq Muhmood, Regional President for Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, to discuss advancing digital payments, financial inclusion and ongoing economic reforms in Pakistan.

Aurangzeb appreciated Visa’s continued engagement with Pakistan’s financial sector. The discussion focused on improving macroeconomic indicators, ongoing economic stabilisation efforts and the government’s priorities for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, according to a news release.

Aurangzeb briefed the delegation on progress under the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported programme, external validation from international credit rating agencies and the government’s reform agenda. He outlined reforms covering taxation, the energy sector, state-owned enterprises, public debt management and privatisation, including recent steps taken to accelerate the privatisation process.

Both sides exchanged views on accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation, with particular emphasis on strengthening digital infrastructure, payment systems and the digitisation of government payments. Aurangzeb said digitalisation is being led at the highest level by the prime minister to ensure coordinated and cross-government implementation.

He highlighted initiatives including the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Authority, reforms in payment rails under the State Bank of Pakistan and efforts to digitise government receipts and expenditures.