No one is better qualified than military veterans to fill some of the estimated 25,000 new jobs in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, construction, logistics, and technology Huntsville is projected to add over the next 18 months.

To meet that demand, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation have forged a partnership with Hiring Our Heroes, a nationwide hiring effort to connect the military community with businesses as they transition out of the military and into civilian life.

“Service men and women are proven leaders and team players with valuable skills that transfer easily into our economy,” said Lucia Cape, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s senior vice president of economic development, industry relations, and workforce. “Hiring Our Heroes is not only a natural fit for our aerospace and defense companies, but also for our manufacturers in automotive, electronics and other precision industries.”

Because of the job opportunities and a strong and diversified workforce, Huntsville has also been selected as a site for a full-time HOH Corporate Fellowship Program that will provide national support and resources to help in these efforts.

“I am very excited for this opportunity for Hiring Our Heroes to expand its operations into Huntsville and to also be a part of this team,” said Preston Webb, the program manager. “As a local who was born and raised here, I am looking forward to assisting in bringing more Veterans to our area and working on enriching the opportunities for our transitioning military members here on Redstone Arsenal.”

Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said program applicants have been showing interest in making Huntsville their post-military home for some time.

“Hiring Our Heroes is committed to connecting these employers with top talent from the military community to fill in-demand roles,” Eversole said. “Expanding the Corporate Fellowship Program to Huntsville is an all-round win-win.”