As the CEO of the Business Council of Alabama and a former banking executive, I can
confidently say that Alabama is one of the best states for conducting business. With the
opportunity to host the U.S. Space Command, we have the potential to advance and protect the interests of our nation right here in Alabama.
Despite efforts by Sen. Katie Britt, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and our congressional delegation, the Biden administration is working to reverse the Air Force’s decision to locate Space Command headquarters in Huntsville.
Two vital factors considered in the decision are livability and workforce readiness. Huntsville
has been recognized in the top two places to live in the United States for the past two years, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Project’s (GAP) report and U.S. News and World Report.
In contrast, Peterson Airforce Base in Colorado Springs ranks fourth in the U.S.
Government Accountability Project’s report, trailing Offutt Airforce Base in Bellevue, Neb.,
and Joint Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Alongside the city’s high marks for livability comes an extremely skilled workforce prepared to take on the demands of the Space Command mission.
Despite exceptional stamps of quality of life and workforce readiness displayed through the
government’s own report, partisan politics are affecting the final location of Space Command.
The Biden administration is prioritizing political wins over a common sense business decision and ignoring convicting, empirical evidence which places Huntsville as the top choice for Space Command.
Huntsville proudly serves as the nation’s primary hub for aerospace excellence. The city’s portfolio includes Redstone Arsenal, which houses NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, and the FBI’s operational support headquarters.
With the addition of Space Command, Mayor Tommy Battle believes Huntsville will solidify its position as the top leader in the aerospace industry and innovative business.
According to Mayor Battle, Redstone has already secured land for SPACECOM, and the area is home to 72 federal agencies with expertise in military and aerospace.
The presence and magnitude of these federal agencies operating in North Alabama further substantiate the GAP rankings in workforce readiness. Considering the highly-skilled workers and positive business climate in Alabama, the Biden administration should adhere to the Air Force’s own criteria for keeping Space Command in the Huntsville area.
The decision to bring headquarters to Alabama would immediately produce 1,500 jobs and
provide a billion-dollar economic impact for the state. Economic growth would continue alongside Space Command, providing countless opportunities for generations to come.
With the state and nation’s best interests in mind, our federal congressional delegation and Mayor Battle have been incredible in their efforts to bring Space Command to Alabama.
They have relentlessly advocated on behalf of Huntsville and Alabama by making their voices heard across the state and nation.
Senator Britt’s statement to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin encapsulates the evidence
behind the decision. She states: “The bottom line is not only that Huntsville’s workforce is best-prepared to support Space Command’s mission – and also the City of Huntsville is the best place for Space Command’s workforce to thrive and live the American Dream. Locating the permanent Space Command headquarters on Redstone Arsenal undoubtedly remains in the best national security interest of the United States.”
Our delegation has gathered once again to advocate for our state, as we have done in the past.
It is my hope that the Biden administration prioritizes facts over politics and decides to keep Space Command in Alabama.
Helena Duncan is president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama
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