Alabama leaders react to Space Command moving to Huntsville

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — State leaders from Huntsville down to the Wiregrass are ecstatic about President Donald Trump’s decision to move the Space Command headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

They said bringing the nation’s space power to Alabama will make for even greater opportunity. State Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, said the move will boost the economy locally and statewide.

“You don’t move the rocket off the launch pad, and you don’t move Space Command out of the Rocket City, and we’re certainly glad for the announcement today,” Whitt said.

Ray Long, chairman of the Morgan County Commission, said Trump’s announcement will bring around 4,000 jobs to the area.

“I know decisions like this are not made because of politics. They’re made about what’s best for national security,” Long said. “So by him personally making the announcement, it lets the nation and the whole world know that he thinks that north Alabama is a great place.”

State Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, said the announcement is long overdue. He said he wants to make sure Huntsville has the infrastructure needed to sustain the growth coming to the city.

“Huntsville, Alabama, has a strong foundation,” Daniels said. “We’re providing the workforce. We’re training the workforce. We have a large military presence and defense presence here in our community, and so it’s a no brainer.”

State Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, said that defense presence will only grow statewide.

“We’re open for business,” Rehm said. “We’ve got highly educated folks. We have people ready to work, and we’ve got great geography to make these things happen. So why wouldn’t you come to Alabama?”

“As our history shows, Alabama always stands ready to support the defense of our great nation, and Huntsville continues proving the Rocket City is truly ‘Space Central,'” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement.