Update at 2:57 on 1/13/21
Omaha's Chamber of Commerce and Rep. Don Bacon have responded to reports of the decision to locate Space Command Headquarters in Alabama instead of in Bellevue at Offutt Air Force Base.
It has been an honor to work with all the dedicated people involved in making our case for the #SPACECOMM headquarters. Once again, we've shown that our cooperation, quality of life, and commitment is second to none. #WeDontCoasthttps://t.co/rT1Q3LDwmj
— Omaha Chamber (@OmahaChamber) January 13, 2021
@RepDonBacon says Offutt Air Force Base would have offered a lot for the Space Command, but Omaha is lacking in space industries and workers. Says he's disappointed by the decision to move the new Space Command headquarters to Alabama, but says there will be a review of decision. pic.twitter.com/jzheZGxLMh
— Jessika Eidson KMTV (@JessikaEidsonTV) January 13, 2021
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts also released a statement regarding the decision:
“Even with today’s announcement, Nebraska will continue to make the case to the incoming administration for bringing USSPACECOM to the Heartland in the coming days and weeks,” said Gov. Ricketts. “When you look at the data and our competitive advantages, Nebraska remains the best place in the nation to locate this mission.”
Previous story from 2:18 p.m. on 1/13/21:
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama's governor says Huntsville, Alabama will soon be announced as the location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters. The city was selected over Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, which was reportedly a top-six finalist in the search for a space command home base.
RELATED: Nebraska bid to attract Space Command includes $107 million | Recruiting Space Command to the metro
Gov. Kay Ivey said Huntsville’s Redstone Region is set to house the headquarters.
The governor was informed of the decision Wednesday morning.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command! @US_SpaceCom @huntsvillecity @TeamRedstone @usairforce #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/IFkJgP5naI
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) January 13, 2021
An official announcement was set for Wednesday afternoon.
Huntsville is known as Rocket City and has long been home to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
The role of the Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communication.
That is different from the Space Force, which is a distinct military service.
