Huntsville/Madison County Chamber: Welcome U.S. Space Command HQ to Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE – The following is a statement from the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber following the news about U.S. Space Command HQ coming to Huntsville:
We look forward to working with the U.S. Space Command staff and leadership to successfully execute locating the permanent Command Headquarters to Redstone Arsenal, now that a final decision has been made in the selection process. On January 12, 2021, then-Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett selected Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama as the Preferred Alternative location based on five decision factors:
- Mission
- Infrastructure Capacity
- Community Support
- Costs to the Department of Defense
- Mission Impacts to Full Operational Capability
“Huntsville compared favorably across more of these factors than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs,” according to the environmental impact statement dated September 2022.
This decision was supported by two subsequent independent reviews which confirmed that Redstone will offer the best strategic value for our Nation as the home to U.S. Space Command. Redstone’s selection was likewise confirmed by President Biden’s Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall.
The Redstone region provides exceptional cost benefits, a high quality of life and a robust network of related space agencies and industry to support the mission. Redstone offers a great value to the American taxpayer, with the cost of construction and sustainment significantly lower than the national average. Redstone offers a shovel-ready site with plenty of room to grow, a history of successfully delivering large construction projects on time and within budget, and excellent access through Redstone’s five widely dispersed gates.
Based on many previous successful military relocation actions to Redstone, we have no doubt the permanent location of USSPACECOM HQ at Redstone Arsenal can be completed efficiently and that the action will result in invaluable mission compatibility over the long term. The successful wartime relocation of the four-star Army Materiel Command to Redstone demonstrates the ability of our community to effectively support the DOD in achieving its objectives without compromising its mission. Other successful relocations to Redstone include the Army Aviation Command headquarters, the headquarters for the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the relocation of a majority of the Missile Defense Agency footprint, as well as several other commands. The FBI is currently in the process of relocating many of its functions to Redstone, bringing thousands of highly skilled FBI personnel to the Region.
The Redstone region is nationally recognized for supporting its military families. The cost of living is relatively low, and the area has good schools, transportation, research universities, and a superior quality of life. The 65+ diverse federal agencies on Redstone provide all its tenants with the opportunity to collaborate and solve
the most challenging technical problems facing our Nation. The U.S. Space Command will be a critical partner among these other Commands and Federal Agencies.
We look forward to the workforce of the U.S. Space Command joining the 75,000+ defense and aerospace workers that call the Redstone Region home.
We are grateful to the members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation and our State and local leadership who have worked tirelessly to see that the SPACECOM basing decision was consistent with the Air Force assessment.
