On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) spoke about U.S. Space Command's imminent relocation to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville during a discussion on Birmingham radio WERC's "Alabama's Morning News with JT."
"This is going to be big," Aderholt said. "Everybody thinks you know this is about Huntsville. This is much bigger than Huntsville, and it will really be a boost for the state of Alabama's economy, in particular, all of North Alabama."
Aderholt revealed the approximate number of people expected to move to the area because of the relocation and noted the projected job growth resulting from the command's move to Huntsville.
"You're looking at, quite honestly, just directly, for the headquarters, over 1000 people that will be coming in alone," explained Aderholt. "And then the effect that it's going to have on other jobs in the area. We're looking at another 1,000 to 2,000 jobs. And of course, that could vary some."
Aderholt called Space Command's relocation to Huntsville and potential to generate jobs "no small thing."
"Just to have this at Redstone will be a big deal, and it's a consolidation that is really important for Space Command and our national security," the congressman said. "But also, it's just like I said, it's just going to be a real boost for the state of Alabama."
"So I don't want people to say this is just for North Alabama and just for Huntsville, because it will definitely be for the entire state," Aderholt added.
In January 2021, the Secretary of the Air Force named Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville the top choice for SPACECOM headquarters. The recommendation was also supported by the Inspector General's Office and the GAO. In July 2023, however, then-President Joe Biden ignored the recommendations and kept the command in Colorado Springs, Colo., drawing swift condemnation from Alabama lawmakers.
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