BREAKING: Space Command set to relocate to Huntsville

President Donald Trump’s administration announced today that the U.S. Space Command headquarters will move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville.

This has been an ongoing discussion since Trump’s first term, and looks to become reality with today’s announcement. About 1,400 Space Command jobs will transition to Redstone Arsenal over the next five years..

Space Command destined for the Rocket City

322a2d67 1a27 4e92 a857 d3b5d65209cb — The first Trump administration established the U.S. Space Command. (“The Establishment of the U.S. Space Command” by The White House is licensed under CC PDM 1.0)

The relocation of the Space Command headquarters to Huntsville has been a hot-button issue around these parts and with the new administration of Pres. Donald Trump, the possibility of Huntsville getting the HQ has resurfaced.

Trump put the plan in motion for the move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, but when his bid for re-election in 2020 was unsuccessful, so was the HQ relocation plan.

However, Tuesday’s announcement changes that. And city leaders say they are ready to accommodate.

“The decision to locate U.S. Space Command at Redstone ensures our nation is prepared to meet growing challenges in space. Huntsville is ready with our experienced workforce, resilient infrastructure and deep commitment to national defense.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

Infrastructure readiness

Huntsville has invested heavily to ensure mission readiness, including:

$400+ million in completed transportation improvements, with $250+ million in active construction projects
$600 million in K–12 school enhancements to support growing families
$200+ million in healthcare expansions, including upgrades at Huntsville Hospital
Over $150 million invested in quality-of-life improvements: recreation and community complexes, parks and greenways
Key Redstone-related projects include:
Completed: Zierdt Road improvements; widening Research Park Boulevard
Under construction: I-565 widening to I-65; Martin Road widening (Gate 7 to Huntsville International Airport)
In design: Resolute Way (connecting I-565 to Gate 9/Redstone Gateway Park); Arsenal East Connector (linking I-565 to proposed Redstone Gate near Triana Blvd)

Timeline of events leading to Tuesday’s announcement

d134224b ea8f 4ce4 8a1d 3765bfa35f44 — “The Establishment of the U.S. Space Command” by The White House is licensed under CC PDM 1.0

Here’s a timeline of events that has led us to where we are now in the process:

The Air Force originally announced its decision to move U.S. Space Command to Redstone Arsenal in January 2021.
Shortly after, the Air Force’s decision angered Colorado lawmakers and its business community, which touted Colorado Springs’s status as a longtime hub for military space operations and industry, and the current Space Command headquarters. They called for multiple investigations by the defense secretary, DoD inspector general and Government Accountability Office into the basing process.
After a 15-month process that questioned the methods by which Huntsville was chosen for the new Space Command headquarters, Pentagon officials said they found “no foul play” involved in the selection process, giving the Air Force the green light to move the SPACECOM HQ to Alabama.
In June 2021, the Government Accountability Office released a report stating that, while the Air Force’s process for choosing Space Command’s location was not completely up to par with recommendations, Redstone Arsenal still stands out as the top choice for Space Command HQ.
In the same month, the USAF announced that the environmental review found no issues with the proposed site for the new headquarters. A variety of potential impacts were studied including noise levels, transportation and natural resources.
In March of 2023, Pres. Joe Biden said he had been advised to overturn the decision by Trump to move the Space Command headquarters.
Senators Britt and Tuberville, with Rep. Dale Strong, met with Space Command officials in Washington to champion Huntsville.
In July of 2023, Biden announced the Space Command headquarters will remain in Colorado Springs.
Trump’s re-election in 2024 renews talk of moving to Huntsville, which is now in the works.
Trump officials say an announcement is forthcoming regarding Space Command’s HQ move to Huntsville.

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