DENVER — The relocation of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, may not deliver the severe economic blow some anticipate, according to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. While the move will shift 1,400 jobs and eliminate around $1 billion in regional economic activity, Chamber CEO J.J. Ament emphasized that this represents only a small fraction of the broader aerospace sector in the state. n nAment noted that Colorado hosts over 2,000 aerospace firms, which collectively support more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. He expressed disappointment over the decision but underscored the resilience and scale of the local industry. n nLast year alone, the aerospace sector attracted over $40 billion in federal funding, highlighting its significance beyond a single military command. The transition will also be gradual, as Huntsville lacks the infrastructure to immediately absorb the full operations of SPACECOM. n nAccording to Ament, the current Colorado facility is already at full operational capacity, meaning the Alabama site will require years to reach equivalent functionality. During this period, many military personnel may be reassigned, but numerous private-sector employees are expected to remain in Colorado, continuing to support the command remotely. n nEven with a change in headquarters location, Ament believes some roles tied to SPACECOM will persist in the state, preserving part of its footprint. n— news from Denver7
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Space Command relocation may not be the economic deathblow some fear, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce says
DENVER — News that U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) is relocating from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, is not necessarily the economic deathblow that some are making it out to be, according to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. n nChamber president and CEO J.J. Ament said Space Command accounts for 1,400 jobs and a billion dollars in regional economic impact. However, according to Ament, that is a drop in the aerospace industry bucket. n n”We ‘re certainly disappointed to see Space Command move to Alabama, but Colorado ‘s aerospace economy is incredibly robust,” Ament told Denver7 anchor Shannon Ogden. “We have more than 2,000 aerospace companies in Colorado. They employ over 200,000 people directly or indirectly.” n nExplore the history of the fight over Space Command in the timeline below: n nAccording to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Colorado ‘s aerospace industry brought in more than $40 billion in federal investment just last year. n nMeanwhile, the relocation of Space Command headquarters won ‘t happen overnight. n n”But one fell swoop means over many years, because one of our arguments to keep Space Command is it ‘s fully up and running now. Fully operational capability. So it ‘ll take many years for Huntsville to develop and build facilities that will be needed,” Ament said. “So that transition is going to take time. It won ‘t happen immediately. We ‘ll find that many of our military men and women will be ordered to relocate. Many of the commercial folks will probably stay in Colorado and will continue to work in some capacity with Space Command from here. I think there will be Space Command jobs even if headquarter zip code changes.” n nRelated coverage: