What they're saying: Space Command is moving to Alabama
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Mayor Tommy Battle and County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon called it a regional effort but a win for the country. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
The news of Space Command's relocation to Huntsville sent shockwaves through Washington D.C., Colorado — and Alabama.
Why it matters: The move has major implications for the economies of Huntsville and Colorado Springs, with Alabama officials praising the move and Colorado lawmakers criticizing President Trump's decision.
Sen. Katie Britt, in a statement, said: "Alabama's world-class aerospace and defense workforce, capabilities, and synergies stand ready to fulfill the mission and strengthen our national security long into the future."
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, in a statement said: "President Trump is doing the right thing by moving SPACECOM back to its rightful home in Sweet Home Alabama ... Huntsville was chosen fair and square."
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, in an emailed statement, said: "The Redstone Arsenal region was ready to welcome Space Command Headquarters when I made the official pitch to the Defense secretary in June 2019, and it remains ready today to not only welcome Headquarters, but to welcome all of the military personnel and their families."
Rep. Dale Strong, in a call with reporters Tuesday, said: "Ever since I first came to Washington, this was the number one issue. This is what we've been working on. No matter who was the president, we were keeping this issue front and center."
Mayor Tommy Battle, during a press event Tuesday, said: "There's so much high tech work that's already done here that it fits very well into the portfolio of what we're already doing, and the synergy just makes us that much stronger."
Mac McCutcheon, Madison County Commission Chair, at the same event, said: "We worked on our roads and our infrastructure, trying to prepare in such a way that we're ready for this day. And so it's a good day.
From Colorado:
In a statement, the entire Colorado delegation of Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and Reps. Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jeff Hurd, Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jason Crow, Brittany Pettersen, and Gabe Evans, said the move will harm the country.
- "Moving Space Command sets our space defense apparatus back years, wastes billions of taxpayer dollars, and hands the advantage to the converging threats of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea."
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a statement highlighting Colorado's position as having the top aerospace employment per capita and three out of six Space Force bases.
- "Colorado Springs - already a global leader in space - will continue to see new opportunities for expansion and growth of our military capacity," he said.