Huntsville holds steady amid federal uncertainty

In an atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding federal jobs, Space Command, and Huntsville one thing seems sure: The city will carry on with business as usual if the status quo remains.

Rumors have run rampant. The FBI is losing at least 50 employees, it was said when the White House announced significant reductions of federal employees. Then, reports circulated that Kash Patel, the FBI’s new director, would send 500 jobs to the Rocket City.

Then there’s the Space Command saga – will it move to Huntsville or remain in Colorado? Tuesday, the Department of Justice inspector general released a report requested by Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers that revealed little.

Alabama Public Radio published a story suggesting trade wars because President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could impact another key regional and statewide industry – automotive.

Whatever happens, Mayor Tommy Battle contends Huntsville will stay the current course.

“We’re always looking at Plan B, just in case, if just in case absolutely happens’’ he told the Huntsville Business Journal. “But, as far as we’re seeing, Plan B’s have not been needed to any degree at this time. We keep an eye on things closely.’’

The Huntsville Planning Commission acted without restraint of any kind despite lingering questions. Among the approvals granted recently was one for the major Greenbrier Preserve Development on the city’s land in Limestone County, south of Interstate 565. Preliminary approval was also given for lots in the Creekside subdivision north of I-565 near Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Polaris and the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

Kelly Schrimsher, director of communication for the city, points out that the planning commission only processes subdivision and zoning requests. She gave the HBJ a statement when asked about plans moving forward.

“Planning for the City’s future is an interdisciplinary effort, led by the Mayor, and involves every municipal department and a host of local, state and federal partners. These partnerships are a critical component in strategic planning to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development. This includes everything from roads, sewer, utilities, education, healthcare, City services and quality of life amenities.’’

Space Command’s location has been a political football kicked around since the end of Trump’s first term. He supported Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal, which the Air Force named as its preferred location for the headquarters in 2021. However, the Biden Administration later announced that the command would remain in Colorado, citing military readiness.

However, the debate continues with Rogers saying in an interview last week, “I expect sometime during the month of April, Space Command will be officially assigned to build its headquarters in Huntsville.”

Also last week, four congressmen from Colorado sent a letter to Trump urging that Space Command headquarters stay put, citing relocation costs among the reasons. One of the four also addressed Congress with a message targeting the president. Trump has expressed a fascination with Israel’s mobile Iron Dome air-missile defense system.

‘’President Trump very boldly proposed the Golden Dome, and we must do as a Congress and as a nation, we must do everything we can to make it successful,’’ U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank told Congress. “This maximum collaboration is only possible, and it is currently occurring, at Peterson Space Force Base, where Northern Command and Space Command literally share a parking lot together.’’

After the release of the IG report, which was basically a rehash of the arguments being made from both cities, Rogers issued a statement inferring that only political intrigue has or will stop the relocation.

“After years of promises about ‘due diligence’ and ‘careful consideration,’ political employees at the White House (during the Biden Administration) cut out the Air Force and senior defense leaders to select Colorado over Alabama as the site for SPACECOM headquarters,” the statement read.

The IG report found it could not determine why the former Air Force Secretary never formally announced that SPACECOM would move to Redstone Arsenal. 

Rogers’ statement continued, “This dangerous and dishonest decision was followed by months of cover-ups and unanswered questions regarding the cost of placing the headquarters in Colorado, the security concerns around placing the headquarters in an aging commercial building in a residential area, and cleverly worded statements about ‘operational capabilities.’ ” 

Whether or not Space Command relocates, and disregarding any presumed changes in the local workforce, it’ll be business as usual at Huntsville City Hall. Unless, of course, “just in case’’ happens and then there’s always Plan B.

“It’s Plan A right now, that our future growth is gonna be out on that Western corridor, to the west of the airport and down south,’’ Battle said.. “We’re still growing, we’re growing organically with our companies that are sitting here. Our missions out at the arsenal, we’ve got 67 different companies out there and our missions are growing out there. They’re growing organically.

“Plus, we’re still having a lot of new people come in. We had 6,000 people here for AUSA (symposium and expo at the Von Braun Center). We ended up with a bigger crowd than we had in previous years. So, that means there’s a lot of interest still in Huntsville.’’