Archives
 By  admin Published 
12:14 pm Tuesday, July 22, 2003

City opens coffers to support Redstone

By By Mitch Freeman Madison County Record
The Tennessee Valley BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Committee will receive financial assistance from Madison to help prepare to defend Redstone Arsenal against potential 2005 base closure.
Representatives from the committee asked Madison to contribute at least $50,000 this year to the cause. Madison leaders responded favorably to the request for financial support and put the topic on the next financial committee meeting agenda.
Huntsville committed to provide $150,000 each year for the next three years. Decatur promised $50,000 a year, according to BRAC committee representatives.
In reference to the U.S. Missile Command relocation to Redstone Arsenal, committee representative Joe Rich said, "The biggest gainer was Madison. Less than 25 percent moved to Huntsville."
Committee representative Mike Ward explained BRAC as a process that was designed to decrease the military's real estate holding in a non-political way. The last round of military base closures happened in 1995 and the next round will occur in 2005.
The Department of Defense is already collecting data for use in the 2005 round, according to Ward.
The DOD would be making base closure decisions late in 2004 and implementing them in 2005. Money is needed immediately to fund base closure impact studies and to hire consultants to begin defensive preparation, Ward said.
Through economic statistics, Ward painted a bleak picture for the area, should Restone Arsenal close.
More missile command employees have a Madison zip code than any other in the area. According to a UAH study conducted in 2003, at least 52,000 local jobs were defense related.
In fiscal year 2002, the arsenal had a payroll of $1.4 billion. As a comparison, large local employer and defense contractor Boeing had a $174 million payroll.
The arsenal had a total budget of $17.55 billion and there were $2.2 billion in local contracts.
This round of base closures is expected to be much larger than any previous round. Ward said more than 100 bases potentially could face closure.
However, more than $224 million in construction has been done at Redstone since 1997 and more than $300 million in construction projects are planned.
The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce coordinates local BRAC committee efforts. Ward said the committee raised $500,000 in defense of Redstone Arsenal during the 1995 round of base closures.

Also on The Madison Record
Madison Senior Center welcomes stray rooster and names him ‘Cluck Norris’
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Say hello to ‘Cluck Norris’
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Madison Senior Center loves to welcome new members. However, they never expected to welcome a recent addition to their flock. In September, ...
Main Street Madison puts public input into plans for downtown development
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Exciting times are ahead for downtown Madison thanks to a newly formed organization. Main Street Madison presented preliminary plans for dow...
‘Celebrate Madison’ to channel community spirit, pride
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
The free event will be held Oct. 23 at Toyota Field
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – The atmosphere at “Celebrate Madison” promises an upbeat night as residents give/take a good dose of pat-onthe- back praise. On Oct. 23, Cel...
Madison Witches Ride to return for downtown antics on Oct. 19
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – In a fun ride, roll and stroll, the Madison Witches Ride will feature festive local witches of all sorts spreading Halloween cheer & throwin...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker brings tour to Blue Apple Books on Oct. 21
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Among October activities at Blue Apple Books, author Jen Hatmaker’s visit is set for Oct. 21. Hatmaker’s memoir, “Awake,” was released in Se...
Vote now for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Staff Reports 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - The nominations are in and the candidate pool for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election are available for voting. The newly formed Main Stree...
Tootsie Roll 5K and Fun Run returns Nov. 1
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Proceeds benefit the special education program at Madison City Schools
By JOHN PECK MCS Public Relations Manager 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Hey all you runners and walkers out there. The Tootsie Roll 5K and 1-mile Fun Run is about to roll again in Madison. Sign up now for the Nov...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *