U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) on Wednesday joined U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant (USCG) Admiral Kevin Lunday in announcing the USCG's selection of the former Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) campus for its new training center. Gov. Kay Ivey, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin also celebrated the announcement.

In celebrating the decision, nearly everyone acknowledged that Britt spearheaded the effort through her role as chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds DHS and USCG.

"I am deeply proud to have advocated directly to Secretary Noem for a new training center in Birmingham to support our outstanding Coast Guard personnel, especially as the USCG continues to recruit servicemembers to combat 21st century threats," Britt said in a statement.

"Today's announcement is further proof that this is the most exciting time to join the Coast Guard in 235 years," said Noem. "Thanks to President Trump's visionary leadership and historic investment in the Coast Guard, the Service is shattering records across the board -- including in recruitment. Last year's recruitment exceeded 110% of active-duty enlisted goals, and the Coast Guard is on track to add 15,000 new members by 2028. This next generation of heroes deserves training centers and support facilities worthy of their mission, and that is exactly what they are going to have in Alabama."

 Britt also celebrated the decision while reiterating her support for the U.S. Armed Forces.

"This is a huge day for Birmingham, our great state, and the U.S. Coast Guard.I have long been dedicated to strengthening Alabama's military installations and the warfighters they serve. This exciting announcement further positions Alabama as a national leader in supporting our incredible U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement personnel," Britt exclaimed.

Tuberville celebrated the decision as well.

"I'm thrilled that President Trump and Secretary Noem have selected Birmingham Southern as the new land-based training facility for the United States Coast Guard. This move will save the American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Alabama and the Coast Guard are a natural partnership. Alabama is already home to every branch of the military, and we have the infrastructure, resources, and personnel ready to make sure our United States Coast Guard continues to be elite," said Tuberville.

 "As a proud alumnus of Birmingham-Southern, it is important to me that this campus continues to serve those seeking to learn and improve their lives. I'm confident the United States Coast Guard will do exactly that. I want to thank Senator Britt for her partnership as we worked together to encourage the Coast Guard and the White House to ensure this campus remains an important footprint in Alabama," said Aderholt.

"We must invest in our most valuable treasure—our people—to meet the increasingly complex maritime security challenges facing the Nation," said Lunday. "The acquisition of the historic Birmingham-Southern College as our new training center is a critical step in our Force Design 2028 strategy, providing the right facilities necessary to grow our service and ensure the Coast Guard stands always ready."

Ivey took to social media to express her support.

"Alabama always stands ready to support our incredible U.S. Armed Forces and our law enforcement. I was proud to push for this move and thrilled this campus will continue preparing future leaders," Ivey said in an X post.

Sewell posted about the news on Facebook.

"Great news! After a nationwide selection process, the former Birmingham-Southern College campus has been chosen to serve as a new Coast Guard training facility!" she said.

"The Birmingham-Southern campus has served as a cultural and economic anchor for more than a century. This monumental investment will breathe new life into the campus while bringing hundreds of new jobs and economic opportunities to the surrounding communities, she continued. "We in Alabama are thrilled to continue playing a central role in supporting the brave men and women of our Armed Forces!"

Woodfin announced the news on Facebook, focusing on the economic impact.

"We're very excited to announce that 1,000 jobs are on their way to Birmingham. The U.S. Coast Guard has agreed to purchase the Birmingham-Southern College campus for use as a training facility, bringing long-term economic growth to our city," his post began. "Major thanks go out to BSC President Daniel Coleman for working to keep the campus viable and attractive for this next phase of use, as well as Senator Katie Britt."

In a long post, Birmingham-Southern celebrated the change as bittersweet.

"Although we will always grieve the closing of our beloved college in 2024, we believe the sale of our campus to the Coast Guard for this purpose – supporting the training, education, and ongoing development of the people who serve in our nation's premier maritime protection force -- is a terrific outcome for our city, our state, and the neighborhood we called home for more than 100 years," said the Rev. Keith D. Thompson, chair of the BSC Board of Trustees.

According to Britt's office. "Last November, the USCG announced a Request for Information and market research to identify a potential new training center location following record-breaking recruiting numbers. The USCG and DHS outlined several key requirements for the new facility, criteria that the BSC campus, which closed in May of 2024, not only meets but exceeds."

 "Thank you to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Admiral Lunday for making a tremendous decision that will strengthen our homeland security long into the future," Britt said.

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