The head of a company that helps corporations and federal agencies with relocations across the country isn’t buying into concerns that employees at U.S. Space Command headquarters in mass will choose not to move to Huntsville.
“I think that concern is way overblown,” said Boyd Company Principal John Boyd Jr., whose company’s clients include Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies, Safran Landing Systems and Aerospace Industries Association.
Concerns were expressed in an Inspector General’s report earlier this year from Space Command brass that as many as 1,000 civilian staffers, contractors and reservists would not make the move as ordered. According to Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, the city is expecting 1,400 direct jobs to be located here.
“Given the significant cost of living advantages and the significant home affordability advantages in Huntsville versus Colorado Springs, I think this is a very desirable move,” Boyd said. “Given the aerospace and the defense industry is almost double the size in Huntsville versus Colorado Springs, think about the post enlistment employment opportunities for the roster of major employers in Huntsville. I think this will be viewed as a very attractive relocation opportunity for many.”
Battle has heard concerns that people would not want to relocate to Huntsville before. He said during a roundtable last week that initial reports having very few people choosing to move from the Washington D.C. area to the Rocket City in 2005 when Army Material Command relocated to Redstone Arsenal during that round of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closures).
Battle said reports about the quality of life in Huntsville from the first people relocating encouraged others to come, and said about half of the workforce decided to relocate. He is expecting about the same percentage relocating with Space Command, meaning about 700 jobs will have to be backfilled, opening opportunities for local residents.
Boyd also mentioned past successful relocations to the arsenal as well, including the relocations of hundreds of FBI jobs in recent years that are expected to continue. Battle estimates another 2,200 will be relocating with the FBI over the next five years.
At the roundtable, Lucia Cape, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber senior vice president of economic development, said the Chamber’s recruitment effort will be similar to the one used in the recruitment of staff 20 years ago during BRAC. She said the Chamber has been in contact with the Colorado Springs community for several years, and said there are companies that have locations in both communities.
Citing a Dec. 12, 2024 Congressional Research Service report, Breaking Defense reports approximately 1,700 personnel are directly assigned to the command’s headquarters, which is a number also cited by U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, on numerous occasions. Breaking Defense also reports about 18,000 joint force personnel are assigned to the command’s seven subcomponents, which are based in six states.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.