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Huntsville's Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion

Aerospace and defense manufacturer plans a 164,000-square-foot expansion.

Aerospace

Redwire Corp. and Huntsville are kicking off the Farnborough Air Show in London by announcing a big expansion back home. Why it matters: Huntsville&#x27;s strong <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aerospace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/aerospace" target="_self">aerospace</a> resume is getting stronger, and making waves at one of the biggest industry events on the globe. The latest: Aerospace and defense manufacturer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Redwire" data-vars-click-url="https://rdw.com/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rdw.com/" target="_blank">Redwire</a>, announced this morning that it will expand its Huntsville location on Jetplex Boulevard by 164,000 square feet, adding 150 new, high-skilled jobs. <ul><li>Those jobs will be in the company&#x27;s manufacturing, integration and technical operations, per the announcement, with the expanded campus set to accelerate several of Redwire&#x27;s production lines. </li></ul>Zoom in: Those include its Stalker drone system, drone gimbal payloads, advanced energy solutions and space capabilities, the company said. <ul><li>Construction is expected to start late next year, and Redwire is receiving about $8.5 million in state and local economic development incentives, per the announcement.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Peter Cannito, Redwire chairman and CEO, said in the announcement that the expansion &quot;reflects the momentum we&#x27;re seeing across both Redwire Space and Defense Tech.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the United States, uniquely positioned at the intersection of America&#x27;s space and defense industries, which makes it the ideal location to expand our capabilities and strengthen America&#x27;s industrial base.&quot;</li></ul><figure><img alt="Modern two-story office building with a sign reading RED WIRE, glass entry, and a large parking lot full of cars under a clear blue sky; an American flag near the entrance." height="1233" id="d8b3c014-e06c-404f-b5ab-1517e3b6bdf4" src="https://images.axios.com/ww4FuGnBFjCDI6eRyYmqnvLx_So=/2026/07/20/1784520021675.jpeg" width="3000"/><figcaption>Redwire plans to add 150 jobs with the help of $8.5 million in local and state incentives. Image: Courtesy Redwire</figcaption></figure>Zoom out: The expansion &quot;speaks to exactly what the Alabama team is promoting this week in Farnborough,&quot; said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair in the announcement. <ul><li>&quot;Our state&#x27;s ability to provide advanced manufacturers the skilled workforce, infrastructure and local support to not only launch their initial operations, but to help them expand with their successes.&quot;</li></ul>Driving the news: Huntsville, and Alabama, is well-represented at Farnborough, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state lawmakers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.madeinalabama.com/2026/07/alabama-lawmakers-will-attend-farnborough-to-tell-states-economic-development-story/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.madeinalabama.com/2026/07/alabama-lawmakers-will-attend-farnborough-to-tell-states-economic-development-story/" target="_blank">state lawmakers</a> and aerospace, AI and defense companies are looking to gain even more ground.<ul><li>Two of those companies, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maximum Technology Corporation" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=maxtc.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXh0Yy5jb20v&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=QzlKbyt5TTRDKzFCRHhSTU9HTlowQjltdHljUFFoclUvaUdnbkFQd3Q3UT0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_R4_GBbo$" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=maxtc.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly9tYXh0Yy5jb20v&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=QzlKbyt5TTRDKzFCRHhSTU9HTlowQjltdHljUFFoclUvaUdnbkFQd3Q3UT0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_R4_GBbo$" target="_blank">Maximum Technology Corporation</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zaden Technologies" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=zadentech.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuemFkZW50ZWNoLmNvbS8=&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=VC9tcEhQN0hhY0hja0hmMUJoYmlFMi9WV3YwM25EcG1RNnRLeng5dTc3Zz0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_TsNnTHU$" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://us-east-2.protection.sophos.com?d=zadentech.com&amp;u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuemFkZW50ZWNoLmNvbS8=&amp;p=m&amp;i=NWZmNzI3ZjNhOGE4NzIwZTEyYmIxZWFj&amp;t=VC9tcEhQN0hhY0hja0hmMUJoYmlFMi9WV3YwM25EcG1RNnRLeng5dTc3Zz0=&amp;h=9922b1a02f5644099b4ae5d32f3229d0&amp;s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVbBU_cQjDfmWCdWL5nhqHeJJ6aL5nyKqw8P93gAvfX7ehE_R88_SgHxs3bh_hb6BPM__;!!Al82Z4c!zomd-fGFTxmNY6RjhRGmScGGm4qmtls76JR0A70SWpkpNx3HLDxYpzID2HPQOGFJ5kytgd5pdj1_TsNnTHU$" target="_blank">Zaden Technologies</a> are based in Huntsville, and a third, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SEA Wire and Cable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sea-wire.com/" data-vars-content-id="cd9d9b0e-db03-49be-9c8f-4e3059fabde1" data-vars-headline="Huntsville&#x27;s Redwire adds 150 jobs with major expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sea-wire.com/" target="_blank">SEA Wire and Cable</a>, in Madison.</li></ul>

Alabama, Huntsville take off at Farnborough International Airshow

Alabama highlighting companies based in Huntsville and beyond in London.

London may be a long way from Huntsville, but at the Farnborough International Airshow this week, it&#x27;s something of a home away from home.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Farnborough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/" data-vars-content-id="a3da3cff-a9f3-43a3-b974-e28053cb39da" data-vars-headline="Alabama, Huntsville take off at Farnborough International Airshow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/" target="_blank">Farnborough</a> is a big deal for anything that flies and for the companies and communities that support them. Context: Mike Ward, senior vice president, government and public affairs with the Huntsville Madison County Chamber, has been attending the airshow since 1999.<ul><li>Back then Huntsville focused on the International Paris Air Show, which alternates years with Farnborough, and for years the Rocket City hosted a reception at the Eiffel Tower, he told Axios on Monday.</li><li>And while many companies hosted events all about themselves, Huntsville &quot;became like Switzerland,&quot; with the leaders of the companies all in one place. </li></ul>Driving the news: &quot;Mostly it&#x27;s nurturing relationships,&quot; Ward said. &quot;That may sound trite, you know, but it&#x27;s the truth.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;We have the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest concentration of engineers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjle45leeg/no-1-huntsville-alabama-2/" data-vars-content-id="a3da3cff-a9f3-43a3-b974-e28053cb39da" data-vars-headline="Alabama, Huntsville take off at Farnborough International Airshow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/pictures/fjle45leeg/no-1-huntsville-alabama-2/" target="_blank">highest concentration of engineers</a> in the world,&quot; he said of Huntsville. &quot;If you look at the concentration of aerospace companies, it&#x27;s probably more than any place else ... 84,000 people work in either aerospace or defense in the region.&quot;</li></ul>Zoom in: More than 1,600 exhibitors are displaying their best, including states like Alabama, highlighting companies based in Huntsville and beyond. <figure><img alt="Large display board with a map of red icons on the left and a dark panel on the right that reads &#x27;There&#x27;s good company here.&#x27; Logos of aerospace companies appear below; people stand near an open doorway on the right." height="3024" id="ccedfeed-25dc-4d12-85ee-744357cf90a8" src="https://images.axios.com/nH615PXdUjh4vyrdTfb_bKXGfdc=/2026/07/20/1784577104572.jpeg" width="4032"/><figcaption>The Huntsville aerospace and defense cluster, visualized. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios</figcaption></figure>Context: Huntsville&#x27;s connections were on full display Monday, too, as the USA Pavilion cut the ribbon with a talk from Apollo-era astronaut and moonwalker Charles Duke in front of a large wall-sized photo of him at Space Camp. <ul><li>They were celebrating the Apollo moon landing anniversary in London, while Huntsville took to Big Spring Park to do the same with a giant drone show as part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rocket City Space Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/07/10/rocket-city-space-fest-s-own-moonshot" data-vars-content-id="a3da3cff-a9f3-43a3-b974-e28053cb39da" data-vars-headline="Alabama, Huntsville take off at Farnborough International Airshow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/07/10/rocket-city-space-fest-s-own-moonshot" target="_self">Rocket City Space Fest</a>.</li></ul>The bottom line: &quot;What started off as you know, cheese whiz and a beer at the local bar with some industry friends, grew into the premier community exhibit at the Paris Air Show,&quot; Ward said. Disclosure: Huntsville/Madison County Economic Development Partners paid for Derek&#x27;s travel and lodging expenses to attend the Farnborough International Airshow, where he is moderating discussions and conducting interviews. Axios retains full editorial control over its coverage.

HudsonAlpha's grass-based manufacturing effort lands $15M

The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region.

Business

Grass grown on underutilized farmland in Alabama and Tennessee will soon be used to make everything from food packaging to car parts.Why it matters: The initiative is poised to fuel sustainable growth in agriculture and manufacturing in the region, forecast to result in billions in investment over the next decade.

Huntsville researchers discover "demon cavefish"

There are still natural wonders to be found right under our noses — or feet.

Culture

Researchers have discovered a new species of cavefish at Redstone Arsenal.Why it matters: There are still natural wonders to be found right under our noses (or feet).

TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought

Drought or not, reservoirs are at full summer pool levels.

News

The Tennessee Valley Authority says reservoirs are at full summer pool levels despite an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/01/drought-persists" data-vars-content-id="8e55122c-06b4-494e-a548-8421fb7a8fda" data-vars-headline="TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/05/01/drought-persists" target="_self">ongoing drought</a>.Why it matters: Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer season, and in North Alabama that means getting out on the Tennessee River.<ul><li>Recreation across the watershed generates nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$12 billion annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/Valley-Lakes-Worth-Billions" data-vars-content-id="8e55122c-06b4-494e-a548-8421fb7a8fda" data-vars-headline="TVA says reservoirs are ready for summer despite drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tva.com/the-powerhouse/stories/Valley-Lakes-Worth-Billions" target="_blank">$12 billion annually</a> — about $1 million per shoreline mile.</li></ul>

Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology and other agencies took a close look at HudsonAlpha on the 20th stop of NSCEB's national roadshow.

Environment

Huntsville is big on defense in more ways than aerospace.Why it matters: The workforce and research engine created by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hudsonalpha.org/" data-vars-content-id="bb8dd234-fd0e-4260-bc13-4734ba48f275" data-vars-headline="Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hudsonalpha.org/" target="_blank">HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology</a> doesn&#x27;t only drive economic development such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Eli Lilly&#x27;s new plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/eli-lilly-alabama-6-billion-huntsville-plant-drug-manufacturing" data-vars-content-id="bb8dd234-fd0e-4260-bc13-4734ba48f275" data-vars-headline="Huntsville biotech boom draws national security focus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/eli-lilly-alabama-6-billion-huntsville-plant-drug-manufacturing" target="_self">Eli Lilly&#x27;s new plant</a>, it&#x27;s key to national security.

Greenways lead to growth in Huntsville

A long-term plan aims to put every resident within a mile of a trail as the network rapidly grows.

Huntsville is big on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="greenways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" data-vars-content-id="e3ad1b08-65e8-4ae9-94d6-5f1f1ab8cabf" data-vars-headline="Greenways lead to growth in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/land-trust-nature-center-greenway-outdoor-recreation-huntsville" target="_self">greenways</a>. Why it matters: City leaders see the pedestrian trails as quality-of-life infrastructure that&#x27;s key in drawing in new industry, residents and investment.

"A living museum:" Joy McKee Arboretum takes root

Huntsville plans to open the arboretum in May, weather permitting.

Construction is underway at John Hunt Park on the Joy McKee Arboretum, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly named to honor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" data-vars-content-id="c488d2bc-bbf6-4051-bc2c-0a0715a7063c" data-vars-headline="&quot;A living museum:&quot; Joy McKee Arboretum takes root" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/huntsville-approves-naming-of-arboretum-for-longtime-landscape-director-joy-mckee/" target="_blank">newly named to honor</a> a longtime steward of Huntsville&#x27;s green spaces.Why it matters: City landscapers saw an opportunity to preserve history, support native trees and urban canopy, give visitors a nature break and educate the public in an unused corner of the park.

City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown

Huntsville leaders envision a grass- and tree-lined stream beside concrete sidewalks, benches and other amenities.

Culture Brief

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;skybridge&quot; part" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" data-vars-content-id="24a58f2d-2a8b-4632-a7b1-358c3edf25bb" data-vars-headline="City greenlights Pinhook Creek park transformation downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/11/skybridge-parc-project-development-huntsville-alabama" target="_self">&quot;skybridge&quot; part</a> of an ambitious project underway in Huntsville may grab headlines, but a contract recently approved by City Council could have just as big an impact downtown.Why it matters: Essentially a stream restoration project for a prominent stretch of Pinhook Creek downtown, the contract is the first step in transforming it into a 13-acre linear park and greenway.

HudsonAlpha research helps speed chestnut restoration

Research from HudsonAlpha and The American Chestnut Foundation shows genetic markers can predict the success of chestnut trees in resisting blight.

Huntsville researchers working with the American Chestnut Foundation are driving a leap forward in efforts to restore the trees that once dominated the East Coast.Why it matters: The findings will focus and accelerate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="efforts to breed" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/2arI3-bOs8g" data-vars-content-id="d610d69c-8fd9-481c-b35c-fd25e13b2df0" data-vars-headline="HudsonAlpha research helps speed chestnut restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/2arI3-bOs8g" target="_blank">efforts to breed</a> blight-resistant chestnut trees and ultimately restore populations of the functionally extinct species.

Get ready for the winter storm hitting North Alabama this weekend

"It is going to be impactful," NWS meteorologist Katie Magee said.

Climate

North Alabama — and a huge swath of the Southeast — is bracing for a significant winter storm expected to blow in Friday and last through the weekend.Why it matters: Get ready to hunker down for a few days.

Huntsville researchers challenge hottest temperature record

Researchers say the hottest temp may have been closer to 120, instead of 134 degrees in 1913.

Researchers at the University of Alabama in Huntsville are calling for the invalidation of the hottest near-surface temperature ever recorded: 134 degrees in Death Valley, Calif., in 1913.Why it matters: Climate monitoring depends on accurate long-term historical data, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new UAH research paper" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/aop/BAMS-D-24-0313.1/BAMS-D-24-0313.1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bec8d3b6-232a-473f-a955-47b4315e688e" data-vars-headline="Huntsville researchers challenge hottest temperature record" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/aop/BAMS-D-24-0313.1/BAMS-D-24-0313.1.pdf" target="_blank">new UAH research paper</a>.