The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville announced Tuesday that it needs $1.5 million in public support or it will be forced to permanently close at the end of October.
The organization has created a Save Space Camp campaign where members of the public can donate online to keep the iconic Alabama location afloat through the pandemic.
“[O]ngoing challenges have meant a devastating loss of two-thirds of our revenue,” the organization wrote on the landing page for the effort.
The online fundraising campaign raised over $8,000 in the first 20 minutes it was live. All funds will go to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation.
“At this time, we have exhausted all funding possibilities, and without your support the U.S Space & Rocket Center and Space Camp will have to close in October,” the center added.
The Space and Rocket Center is Alabama’s most visited tourist attraction that charges for attendance. The center averages nearly one million visitors per year, along with tens of thousands of young people that attend Space Camp.
Recent economic impact estimates say it adds nearly $120 million to the Northern Alabama economy.
The Space and Rocket Center says if it can raise the $1.5 million dollars that will allow it to stay open and resume Space Camp in April of 2021.
Citizens can donate here.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
