The north Alabama city with the country's highest concentration of engineers and technology workers was recently named the best place for engineers in the U.S.

NerdWallet ranked Huntsville the nation's top engineering city in a study published online Monday. The personal finance website, which analyzed 350 metropolitan areas, praised the Rocket City for its heavy engineer base, high average engineering salary and low rent costs.

About 25 miles from Huntsville, Decatur fell at No. 8 on the list, which also featured cities from Georgia, Florida, Michigan, California, Texas, Washington and Ohio.

"The South has a concentration of the best places for engineers," said NerdWallet author Sreekar Jasthi. "Six of the top 10 places on our list were in southern states. Most of these areas have military bases, manufacturing centers and companies that provide competitive career opportunities for engineers."

Entrepreneurs interested in opening a new business in downtown Huntsville may be eligible to receive financial support from a local nonprofit organization to attend Rocket Hatch's CO.STARTERS program.

Rocket Hatch, an open community of entrepreneurs, artists and creators in north Alabama, announced Monday it is partnering with Downtown Huntsville, Inc. to make CO.STARTERS more affordable for local startups.

DHI, which focuses in part on commercial and business development in the city center, says it will provide scholarships to select CO.STARTERS graduates who have plans to launch their companies in downtown Huntsville.

Two Huntsville business leaders with ties to Cummings Research Park were recently inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame during a special ceremony in Auburn.

ADTRAN's Clint Coleman and Mike DeMaioribus of Dynetics were among five individuals honored at the induction ceremony Feb. 21. The Engineering Hall of Fame, which recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of individuals, projects and corporations/institutions, also paid tribute to the Interstate 565 Huntsville/Madison County project for its influence on north Alabama economic development and quality of life.

DeMaioribus, executive vice president of business operations at Dynetics, began working for the company in 1977 and has moved through the ranks in various engineering, management and executive roles. Prior to his promotion in 2013, DeMaioribus was the senior vice president and manager of the Hardware and Intelligence Operating Unit for Dynetics.