If Congressman Dale Strong is reading the tea leaves right in Washington, D.C., the Tennessee Valley will be getting more than Space Command.

“I believe that North Alabama will play an even larger role in Golden Dome than many of our own people here believe,’’ Strong, who represents Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, told the Huntsville Business Journal.

Strong (R, AL-05) was at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting for the new Madison Chamber of Commerce.

“Just based on the details and the communications from the White House,’’ he said. “You just look at our (Alabama) delegation working solidly together. I think that has paid off. But the other thing is, everybody understands that we’re able, we’ve got the workforce to meet the task that’s expected.’’

As for pitching to get Golden Dome, Strong added, “You get one shot at this. We’ve got to be sure we’re on the money.’’

Strong said Redstone Arsenal and the surrounding communities are “ready’’ for all Congress wants to send to North Alabama. He added that the Alabama delegation in Washington has worked in lockstep to secure SPACECOM, and now Golden Dome and SPACEPORT.

“The capabilities that we have is going to make us even stronger (when considered),’’ he said. “But I’m telling you right now, this is going to be good. The jobs that will come (with Golden Dome) will probably be about 300, 350 a year.

“You’ve got three buildings being built that we hope will be completed within 14 to 18 months. And then the construction at Redstone will be a five- to seven-year process. But I believe we’re right where we need to be, and we are working to get construction dollars for all of North Alabama.’’

Last week, Strong re-introduced the Spaceport Project Opportunities for Resilient Transportation (SPACEPORT) Act, which would provide dedicated federal support to U.S. spaceports, ensuring the nation can meet growing civil, commercial, and national security demands for space transportation.   

“The United States continues to set the pace in space exploration, and North Alabama stands at the heart of that momentum,’’ he said when re-introducing the legislation. “During my time as chairman of the Madison County Commission, I worked closely with community leaders and industry partners to help secure Huntsville International Airport’s designation as the nation’s first licensed reentry site for space vehicles.

“With unmatched capabilities across civil, commercial, and national security space programs, North Alabama is uniquely positioned to drive the infrastructure that will define the next generation of space innovation.”

Spaceports are ground-based launch and reentry sites for spacecraft. Huntsville International Airport (HSV) was the first commercial airport approved by the FAA to serve as a reentry site and accommodate space vehicle landings.

HSV is already a designated re-entry site for Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, a spaceplane that makes reentries from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and has previously landed at HSV.

Strong has been an instrumental presence for North Alabama while a member of Congress, and had an impact on current events while still with the county commission. He has strong ties to the community and region.

He hails from Monrovia, an unincorporated community in Madison County that is bordered on the south by Madison, on the southeast by Huntsville, on the west by Limestone County and on the north by the community of Harvest.

In news articles, Strong has been referred to as being from most of those places at various times.

“Just say North Alabama,’’ he said, referring to the constituent base he vows to keep fighting for.

“The majority of the people don’t know where Monrovia is,’’ Strong said. “Doesn’t matter. My thing is I’m proud of where I came from. My family owned a gas and grocery store there in unincorporated Madison County in Monrovia, and I do believe that’s what made me who I am today.’’