The new headquarters of the U.S. Space Command will be the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, the U.S. Air Force announced on Wednesday.
The Air Force conducted virtual and on-site visits to assess which of six candidate locations would be best suited to host the U.S. Space Command headquarters.
The decision by the Secretary of the Air Force on behalf of the Office of Secretary of Defense, was based on factors related to the command's mission, infrastructure capacity, community support and costs to the Defense Department.
Huntsville's general obligation warrants are rated triple-A by Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.
Moody's said its Aaa rating reflects "a strong regional tax base and position as a major economic engine for northern Alabama, which is reinforced by the large governmental presence of Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center." Moody's added, the city has a stable financial position with satisfactory reserve and cash levels as well as an above-average but affordable debt burden.
“Huntsville compared favorably across more of these factors than any other community, providing a large, qualified workforce, quality schools, superior infrastructure capacity, and low initial and recurring costs,” according to the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office. “Additionally, Redstone Arsenal offered a facility to support the headquarters, at no cost, while the permanent facility is being constructed.”
“I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command," said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
“Our state has long provided exceptional support for our military and their families as well as a rich and storied history when it comes to space exploration,” she said. “This combination only enhances the outstanding relationships we have with the 65 diverse federal agencies on Redstone Arsenal, not to mention the growing presence of the FBI and other federal installations. The bottom line is simple, the Redstone Region is the most natural choice to become home to such an important mission for our country.”
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Bellevue, Nebraska; Cape Canaveral, Florida; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and San Antonio, Texas, will remain “reasonable alternative locations” for the headquarters. These alternative locations were chosen from 24 states evaluated as possible locations for the headquarters.
The Air Force said it expects to make a final decision on the site by the spring of 2023, pending results from required environmental impact analysis. Colorado Springs, Colorado, will remain the provisional headquarters until the permanent location is ready.
