HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER, ALABAMA
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THEIR STAFF:
Thank you to the members of the Alabama Congressional delegation for your advocacy on the issues that are critical to securing the United States’ role as a global leader in space exploration, national defense, homeland security, and bioscience. With your leadership on those issues impacting Huntsville and Madison County, our region continues to prosper as a science and technology powerhouse.
Our federally focused business community functions best with predictable and dependable funding for federal programs. We understand the complex budgetary challenges facing the delegation, including the debt ceiling, deficit reduction, and fiscal responsibility within constrained tax revenue. A prolonged continuing resolution or government shutdown would have severe repercussions for the north Alabama economy. We urge congress to vigorously support timely passage of appropriation bills and your continued efforts to increase overall funding for S&T and advanced R&D for defense, justice, and aerospace programs. We also urge you to implement a fiscally responsible and transparent method of Congressionally Directed Spending to restore Congress’s constitutional authority, foster collaboration, and align federal spending with taxpayer priorities.
The health of the north Alabama economy and future growth of this region are dependent on the continued health of the federal organizations resident on Redstone Arsenal and the advancement of the programs under their purview. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is leading the effort to return the U.S. to the surface of the moon, a program of tremendous interest to our National security and our nation’s worldwide leadership in Space. Similarly, Redstone has been tasked with leading President Trump’s American Golden Dome initiative. Army procurement organizations (PEO Aviation and PEO Missiles & Space) have oversight of critical Army transformation programs that will ensure U.S. leadership in rotary wing and unmanned aviation, and air and missile defense, respectively. Some of the Nation’s leading RDT&E organizations are also resident on Redstone Arsenal and are working to advance the state of the art in unmanned systems (UAS) and Counter UAS, rotary wing aviation, directed energy, hypersonics, AI, and many other disciplines. While cuts in programmatic funding can lead to reductions in workforce, arbitrarily mandated cuts to employment levels to AFC, DEVCOM elements like AvMC, which operates largely on reimbursable work, would make little sense. Their customers leverage their government and industry investments in science and technology to save money. Huntsville’s HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology leads the world in bioscience research and development and has secured north Alabama as an incubator of innovation in this evolving field. We offer comprehensive insight into the key programs requiring congressional attention and recommendations on how congress might weigh in to ensure advancement of these programs.
The continued growth of Huntsville and Madison County necessitates significant investments in our road infrastructure. While the area’s issues with traffic remain far below the levels experienced by other growing cities in the southeastern region, major upgrades to federal routes in the area will be necessary to keep the flow of traffic manageable for local commuters, including the many thousands of workers who drive to Redstone Arsenal each day. Local leaders are entering into an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to expedite the construction of several major projects, all of which involve or connect to federal highways and interstates. Every effort made by our congressional delegation to help procure funds for these projects will improve the lives of citizens across north Alabama.
We greatly appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Alabama Congressional Delegation to defend the Air Force criteria-based selection of Redstone as the preferred site for SPACECOM , and we encourage the Delegation to move swiftly to fund the MILCON infrastructure requirements, should a decision to locate the SPACECOM Headquarters at Redstone be reinstated.
This Agenda summarizes the most critical federal issues facing our region. Additional information regarding these items and a number of other important federal programs and issues that have significant local and national impact are included in an accompanying Issues Book .
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO ON OUR BEHALF, THE HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
FEDERAL BUDGET
Our federally focused business community thrives on predictable and reliable federal program funding. We understand the complex budgetary challenges facing the delegation, including the debt ceiling, deficit reduction, and fiscal responsibility within constrained tax revenue. A prolonged continuing resolution or government shutdown would have severe repercussions for the north Alabama economy. In budgetary uncertainty, discretionary spending, such as travel, training, and conferences, is often curtailed, and agencies may delay contract awards. We urge Congress to prioritize timely appropriations bill passage to avoid the negative impacts of continuing resolutions, including increased program costs and schedule delays. We advocate for inflation-adjusted funding for essential programs and continued full support for our nation’s space exploration and defense initiatives, particularly U.S. Army transformation programs. Additionally, we encourage Congress to increase overall funding for science, technology, advanced research and development, defense, justice, law enforcement, and aerospace programs. Federal budget cuts would diminish job growth in Alabama’s public and private sectors, weaken partnerships between federal agencies and local institutions, reduce federal contract opportunities, and curtail training programs, ultimately affecting local businesses. We support a responsible and transparent approach to Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) to restore Congress’s constitutional authority, foster collaboration, and align federal spending with taxpayer priorities.
U.S. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT & EXPLORATION POLICY
Programs managed and supported by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have national significance and are critical to national security, as the U.S. and China ramp up programs to establish a footprint on the Moon. They also represent the most technically diverse portfolio of any NASA Center. Marshall has a recognized 65-year heritage leading complex engineering human-rated space transportation and propulsion systems, habitation systems, payload and mission operations, and scientific research to expand our knowledge of the universe. MSFC continues to generate significant economic impact to the state, region, and Nation. Approximately 7,000 jobs directly support the mission of Marshall, with a statewide economic impact of $8B and 35,000 jobs. Marshall’s programs impact almost every state in the Nation contributing to NASA’s nationwide impact of 305,000 jobs and $76B to the U.S. economy.
Requested Actions:
SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM (SLS)
• SLS successfully launched a human-rated spacecraft to deep space for the first time in 50 years and set a distance record for human exploration in the process. Ensure SLS funding continues at a level to support completion of the Exploration Upper Stage development to increase SLS performance to 43 MT to Trans-Lunar Injection (130 MT to low-Earth orbit); support Artemis 2–5 missions with SLS block 1B ready for launch by Artemis 4 and sustain a cadence of once per year thereafter; preserve SLS block 2 development by supporting booster obsolescence available by Artemis 9.
• SLS and Orion represent an on-going strategic investment of our Nation’s top engineering talent and taxpayer dollars to preserve American leadership in space. Encourage fullest use of SLS and Orion as national assets for deep space exploration plans beyond Low Earth Orbit.
• Renew science and national security missions that can benefit from SLS’s unparalleled lift and payload capabilities; support development of SLS cargo capabilities to support these unique and
enabling capabilities and missions not available anywhere else (e.g. Habitable Worlds Observatory).
• Support Artemis and SLS program sustainability and stability in the evolution of SLS from a development program to a more affordable and sustainable long-term operations program, managed by Marshall, to enable more robust exploration, national security, and scientific payload architectures.
HUMAN LANDING SYSTEM AND SUSTAINING LUNAR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (HLS/SLD)
• Ensure full funding for the development and demonstration of two crewed lunar lander systems for Artemis through the Human Landing System and Sustaining Lunar Development program.
• Ensure lunar mission sustainability through continued support for HLS cargo capability development.
• Ensure HLS synergy through support for Marshall-led development and partnerships for medium cargo surface landers utilizing Marshall lander expertise, to support lunar surface logistics concepts.
MOON TO MARS (M2M) SYSTEMS
As Marshall transitions SLS to operations, this talented workforce can be applied to new Moon-to-Mars (M2M) Program activities. Support Marshall’s role through the following initiatives:
• Habitation Systems Program Office – This program will develop the required habitation systems for the M2M Program. The program office will develop the technologies and systems that support a sustained presence on the lunar surface and safely transport humans to Mars. Advanced environmental control and life support systems is a key piece for the future.
• Mars Ascent Vehicle – Continue to support Marshall’s role in leading the Mars Ascent Vehicle as part of the Mars Sample Return Mission.
• M2M Logistics Program Office – Sustainable deep space exploration will require groundbreaking logistics planning and placement of inventory and maintenance for the Artemis campaign. This program will develop systems for surface placement, pre-positioning of assets, docking, tunneling, integration planning, and cargo return systems, including large cargo return.
• Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) Program Office – Support the establishment of the SNP program office at Marshall to include the development of enabling the design and development of nuclear-based transportation (nuclear electric propulsion and nuclear thermal propulsion) for the M2M campaign. This includes support for the DARPA DRACO partnership as well as increased technology maturation needed to enable development of an integrated human mars transportation system.
• Technology Gap Investments – Increase funding in M2M risk reduction technologies such as environmental control and life support systems, ISRU, cryogenic fluid management, in-space manufacturing, advanced and additive manufacturing, nuclear and other in-space transportation systems.
SCIENCE
• Science Operations – Propose Marshall assigned as program lead to integrate all human science operations activity for LEO, cis-lunar and lunar surface and Deep space Science operations. Leverage and expand from Marshall’s current ISS payload operations, science mission operations, and secondary payload operations.
• Science Missions – Support Marshall as the center of excellence for advanced optics, sensors and camera development, manufacturing, testing and evaluation.
INFRASTRUCTURE
• Support funding for Marshall Exploration Facility to offset inflationary impacts for Marshall HQ replacement facility.
• Support increased priority and funding for Marshall Engineering and Science Laboratory to provide world-class facility to enable Marshall’s role in leading future exploration, technology and science missions with world-leading capabilities in nondestructive manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and composite structures that spin-off into the country’s industrial base.
U.S. ARMY’S COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (DEVCOM) AVIATION AND MISSILE CENTER (AVMC)
The U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) has been a cornerstone of research and development (R&D) on Redstone Arsenal (RSA) for over 60 years. A subordinated organization of the Army Futures Command (AFC), AvMC’s mission is to “Develop, integrate, demonstrate, and sustain Army aviation and missile system transformation to ensure war-winning future readiness.” Since inception the AvMC has evolved into a world-class organization employing approximately 12,000 engineers and scientists housed within laboratories and facilities exceeding 1.6 million square feet. AvMC supports the Army Future Command’s Transformation in Contact through three mission priorities: 1) execute aviation and missile S&T projects; 2) provide engineering services to enterprise partners; 3) support readiness, lifecycle engineering and sustainment efforts with Army enterprise partners. AvMC is a valued partner for the Warfighter by rapidly providing technology, critical materiel, analyses, and system support for the entire life cycle. Multiple missile systems, aviation and unmanned platforms, as well as other major weapon systems are supported by the center. Approximately 90 percent of AvMC funding comes from reimbursable customers to include Intra-service (agreements within the Army); Intra-agency (agreements between DoD components); and Interagency (agreements between a DoD component and a federal agency) customers.
National Impact:
Because of their extensive capabilities, the Army and nation rely upon the AvMC as a crucial resource for solving critical engineering challenges. Presently, the AvMC serves as DEVCOM’s lead Center for transformation activities driven by two of the Army’s nine Cross Functional Teams (CFTs), Air and Missile Defense, and Future Vertical Lift. AvMC plays a critical role in support of Long-Range Precision Fires CFT and provides engineering support activities to the remaining CFTs; All-Domain Sensing, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Soldier Lethality, Synthetic Training Environment, Contested Logistics and Command and Control. These CFTs employ AvMC’s experienced scientists and engineers, specialized laboratories, and repositories of proven models and performance data to determine maturity, applicability, and robustness of candidate technologies required to address defined operational capability gaps. AvMC provides a critical enabling role in support of Army weapon system demonstrations to accelerate fielding of critical technologies vice traditional acquisition approaches. The complexity of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) requires weapon system capabilities such as Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) to be addressed as system-of-systems vice as unique individual platforms. Additionally, enduring aviation and missile platforms must remain relevant to MDO via technology insertion to provide capabilities that complement Army transformation initiatives. The AvMC must keep pace with disruptive
technologies to include artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), modelbased system engineering tools and digital engineering practices required to support robust and efficient weapon system development processes. Key engineering support efforts ongoing within the AvMC include S&T alignment to Army transformation priorities, including Launched Effects/Advanced Teaming and Autonomy on the battlefield and in the air, enhancing lethality and mission command, autonomous flight control, and human-systems interface. AvMC is supporting critical technology discovery and development for Future Vertical Lift, Air and Missile Defense, and Long-Range Precision Fires. Areas of missile S&T efforts by AvMC include improved fire support capability with work in areas such as modular payloads, alternate propulsion for extended range, thermal protection systems for hypersonics, Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) Integrated Fires and GNC for contested environments. AvMC is working for extended range and high volume c-UAS, enhanced sensing for advanced threats, and fire control operator decision aids in the air defense capability area. In the close combat arena, AvMC is supporting multiple simultaneous engagement technology development, and high speed maneuverable missile. AvMC continues the digital transformation strategy ranging from establishing a digital ecosystem for data sharing and governance to a modular open system approach (MOSA), digital twins, cloudbased computing, and Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
AvMC leads the DoD microelectronic initiative and the CHIPS act, providing technical subject matter experts to ensure U.S. military has access to trusted and assured microelectronic devices for aviation and missile weapon systems. AvMC also serves as the Army Center of Excellence for protective technologies and hardware assurance. Finally, AvMC provides critical airworthiness engineers for the Army Airworthiness Authority and assesses all aircraft modifications for the Army to ensure they do not adversely impact flight safety. The insertion of multi-core processors, artificial intelligence and other non-deterministic systems are unique to the advancement of military capabilities which requires the AvMC airworthiness authority to invest in the development of more robust certification methods that are far advanced from the airworthiness challenges currently being addressed by the FAA and other non-DoD airworthiness agencies.
Community Impact:
Nearly one-quarter of Redstone’s 44,000 employees, including engineers and scientists from more than 250 Huntsville companies, work in the AvMC’s three directorates. The AvMC boasts annual revenue of ~$5.6B from a broad array of reimbursable customers. This cost-reimbursable model creates a win-win scenario. Funding organizations gain access to unparalleled engineering expertise and facilities within AvMC that would be cost-prohibitive to duplicate. The Army and AvMC, in turn, receive funds that sustain the essential laboratories and engineering talent needed to propel Army Futures Command priorities. Requested Actions:
■ Continue to support and fund additional missile and aviation RDT&E (6.2 basic research, 6.3 applied research) to provide engineering, development and testing of technologies relevant to Long Range Precision Fires, Air and Missile Defense, and Future Vertical Lift, transformation activities.
■ Increase and support Army airworthiness 6.6 (D-092) and 6.7 (D-106 engine product improvements) funding lines to enable development of next generation hybrid aircraft propulsion systems, innovative airworthiness approaches, autonomy, AI/ML, and efficient and effective airworthiness assessments to increase flight safety as new manufacturing techniques (ex. Additive manufacturing), non-deterministic systems and digital engineering methods are implemented on enduring and future Army aviation fleets.
■ Increase and support Army manufacturing technology 6.7 research line focusing on advanced ceramics and CMC development to close technological, risk, manufacturing production and affordability gaps related to Army aviation and missile systems.
■ Increase and support RDT&E 6.2, 6.3, and reimbursable funding to develop protective technologies and anti-tamper solutions to mitigate risks related to deployed weapons systems in hostile territories.
DIRECTED ENERGY
National Impact: Hostile events throughout the world reveal threats around every corner. Real world examples include Russian and Iranian attacks on tactical and strategic targets across Ukraine, continuous drone and cruise missile attacks throughout the Middle East and Israel, and numerous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) reconnaissance missions around the world. With the proliferation of low-cost small UAS capabilities, the U.S. Government and military require sophisticated systems to identify, classify, and potentially destroy hostile threats. These threats range from not only UAS but rocket, artillery, and mortars; rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft; guided missiles; and raid scenarios from terrorist and nation states. Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), to include high energy lasers (HEL) and high-power microwaves (HPM), pair with kinetic interceptors and radio frequency technology to create a layered defense critical in protecting our and our allies’ key assets. This enables reserve kinetic options for higher priority threats. Senior leaders have deployed DEW systems as a prototype effort to accurately counter these threats on foreign battlefields and at sea as well as on U.S. soil.
Community Impact: Huntsville remains a key hub for both development and integration of directed energy weapon (DEW) capability. Multiple industry and government partners located across Redstone Arsenal and the greater Huntsville and Research Park area work to sustain the current DEW systems deployed in support of our Warfighters. This partnership focuses on assessing U.S. capabilities to outpace the threat, apply lessons learned, then test and integrate design improvements to achieve a capability that increases lethality, sustainability, and production at scale. DEW development and sustainment has a direct impact on hundreds of employees in the local area as well as injecting millions of dollars into the local economy, ranging from the direct government workforce and systems engineering and technical advisers supporting the government to industry partners at all levels responsible for designing and building DEW systems.
The Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is the main focal point for DEW development in the Huntsville area. Their DEW portfolio includes various capability sets, such as the Directed Energy-Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD, 50kW); the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL, 300kW), the Palletized-High Energy Laser (P-HEL, 20kW); the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) effort; and the Army Multi-Purpose-High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL, 20kW). They are partnered with the Joint Counter Small UAS Office (JCO) to lead the development and deployment of additional DEW assets into the Middle East and Indo-Pacific regions and additionally support DEW efforts for the U.S. Air Force. Current prototype efforts indicate that lower costs for DE lethality is achievable by focusing on an enduring design. RCCTO DE strategy promotes designability, affordability, and sustainability by using an integrated test and analysis approach. Although limited Huntsville-based companies have production capabilities today, it is essential we develop options immediately to secure additional manufacturing capabilities and workforce across Alabama.
Requested Actions:
■ Support the President’s Budget Request for Army and MDA Directed Energy efforts.
■ Continue to support technology follow-on efforts for DE M-SHORAD, IFPC-HEL, IFPC-HPM, P-HEL, and AMP-HEL to capitalize on DEW emerging technologies and capabilities.
■ Ensure that funding is established for the sustainment of DEW systems to ensure continuity of operations between industry and the Warfighter.
■ Continue to support Army S&T research (6.2 basic research, 6.3 applied research) to provide engineering, development, and testing of DE technologies to bring innovative, advanced capability to our military.
■ Continue to support Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) production in support of the Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal units.
INDOPACOM/DEFENSE OF GUAM
INDOPACOM’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) covers approximately 100 million square miles, which is roughly 52 percent of the Earth’s surface area: making it the largest geographic AOR of any U.S. Combatant Command. This region is home to half the world’s population and includes 36 countries spanning from the western United States to the eastern coast of Africa and from the Arctic to Antarctica.
INDOPACOM’s strategy includes: Integrated Deterrence to deter aggression from adversaries, particularly in the context of growing challenges from China, North Korea, and other state and non-state actors; Alliances and Partnerships to deepen relationships with allies and partners to ensure collective security, enabling a free and open Indo-Pacific to promote adherence to international laws and norms to ensure open sea lanes, free trade, and sovereign decision-making for all nations; Campaigning and Presence to demonstrate commitment through persistent presence and proactive operations; Resilience and Innovation to build adaptability in the face of emerging threats, such as cyber warfare and climate change; and Addressing of Regional Threats such as North Korea, China, and Terrorism elements.
Defense of Guam has become a particularly critical area of activity. Guam’s location approximately 3,800 miles west of Hawaii and 1,500 miles from the Philippines makes it a central hub for U.S. operations across INDOPACOM. Defense of Guam includes an advanced layered missile defense system under development to counter increasingly sophisticated missile threats.
Federal organizations, industry and regional academic partners across the Tennessee Valley play an instrumental role supporting in elements of INDOPACOM’s strategy and Defense of Guam particularly in activities to build adaptive and responsive innovation and contested logistics to operate against rising, complex interconnected threat weapon systems. Key areas of support include:
■ Advanced Missile Defense and Integrated Air Defense Systems: Huntsville is home to the U.S. Army’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Redstone Arsenal, which are critical for developing and enabling deployment planning of Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Patriot weapon systems.
■ The Joint Program Office (JPO) for Guam Defense operating out of the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO): The JPO will prioritize integration of multiple systems such as Aegis Ashore, THAAD, and other advanced missile defense technologies that will connect with cutting-edge radar and advanced sensor technologies to provide enhanced tracking and targeting capabilities.
■ Space and Satellite Operations: Space Development Agency’s (SDA)
operating center on Redstone Arsenal to manage layered constellations of sensor based and communication satellites in low-Earth orbit as well as the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command that develops future global space capabilities to enable multi-domain combat effects in enhancement of deterrence, assurance, and detection of strategic attacks.
■ Cybersecurity and Information Warfare: multiple industry support elements that specialize in defensive cybersecurity which is critical for defending INDOPACOM’s networks against cyber threats from state and non-state actors as well as the FBI’s regional cyber and investigative resources that also contribute to securing the COCOM’s defensive infrastructure and supporting to counterintelligence operations.
■ Innovation: The area’s ecosystem of innovation focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and hypersonic weapons. These advancements enable INDOPACOM to maintain technological superiority and counter adversaries’ advancements in similar areas.
■ Logistics and Sustainment: Redstone Arsenal serves as a logistics hub for the Army, including aviation and missile sustainment as well as home to Army Futures Command Contested Logistics Cross Functional Team. INDOPACOM’s operational environment presents a sensor-rich, transparent, lethal, and multi-dimensional landscape where U.S. forward deployed forces will be under constant observation and faced with new and deadlier threats including a host of disruptive effects associated with new technologies. The Tennessee Valley thus plays a central, critical role to ensure our Warfighters are properly equipped and protected to securely prevail under any type of threat.
Requested Action:
■ Support INDOPACOM’s Integrated Priorities and JPO Guam Defense budget requirements in areas where the Tennessee Valley can support capability development and operational support to Force Design and Posture; Exercises, Experimentation, and Innovation; Joint Force Lethality; as well as Logistics and Security Enablers.
FBI CONSTRUCTION/ROLES AND MISSION/ WORKFORCE UPDATE
This past year, the FBI continued to work towards consolidating and improving its operations through the construction of modern facilities. The largest investment in the FBI’s 21st Century Facilities plan is ongoing at Redstone Arsenal (RSA) in Huntsville, Alabama, at the Richard Shelby Center for Innovation and Advanced Training. The FBI has maintained a presence at RSA for over 50 years, and is expanding its footprint across the base, positioned among some of the nation’s top defense, law enforcement, and technology organizations. These facilities will continue to drive a new era of innovation for the FBI. 2024 saw the FBI’s presence at RSA grow to over 2,200 personnel. The largest FBI facility on the Richard Shelby Center for Innovation and Advanced Training features a 307,000-square-foot operations building that accommodates approximately 1,300 personnel across 12 different FBI operational and operational support divisions. A nearby 87,000-square-foot technology building (known as Tech 1), accommodates 330 personnel and provides network monitoring and insider threat detection, which is essential to the protection of sensitive intelligence and information for the entire organization. Expected to be completed in FY 2025, the FBI Innovation Center is an approximately 250,000-square-foot office building and central utility plant, that will come online as a state-of-the-art training center of excellence for the FBI, dedicated to training, cyber threat intelligence, data analytics, and combatting the rapidly changing 21st century threats. It will house approximately 330 permanent personnel plus capacity for an additional 300 students per week for training. It includes a 22,000-square-foot indoor Kinetic
Cyber Range and a Virtual and Augmented Reality classroom with distance learning management systems. The FBI is responsible for maintaining a footprint of over 1,000,000 square feet across its entire RSA portfolio.
Opening at the end of calendar year 2026 will be Tech 2 and Tech 3, along with parking Decks 2 and 3. Tech 2, at 247,000 square feet, focuses on collecting and cleaning data, all while providing technical expertise and support to FBI Operations, and will enable the movement of data via state-of-the-art networks. Tech 3 will be an innovative hub that includes the creation of tools and applications that enhance the ability to harvest and triage case data. Tech 3, at 155,000 square feet, will also serve as the home of the Birmingham Field Office Cyber Squad and the Tennessee Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL). Combined, these two buildings will seat approximately 1,150 personnel with capacity for 225 training seats. Additionally, opening in 2027 will be the National Security & Intelligence Center of Excellence (NS&I) at approximately 84,000 square feet. This dedicated advanced training facility will consolidate all FBI national security and intelligence advanced training delivery, curriculum development, and instructional design. It will also include a 400-seat auditorium.
The RSA South Campus provides tremendous growth opportunities for the FBI and its law enforcement partners. It will be comprised of the Academic Zone and Practical Problem Venues (PPVs). The Academic Zone will be the primary location for advanced and specialized training and research, development, testing and evaluation of current and future technology, and will be comprised of six structures and approximately 400,000 square feet. The PPVs will contain four zones, ranging from dense urban to rural, and approximately 20 structures, enabling FBI personnel and partners to train and test in a realistic yet controlled environment. The current and future FBI RSA facilities covered here reflect just a few of the innovative projects designed to ensure FBI agents and operational support personnel have state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and training to combat increasingly complex global threats. The FBI’s South Campus expansion will continue through approximately 2030.
COUNTER UAS
Redstone Arsenal is a nexus of Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology. The Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space has established a C-UAS program office. The Army’s Rapid Critical Capabilities Technology Office (RCCTO) conducts R&D on C-UAS technologies that may be matured into programs. The Department of Justice and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are involved in non-DoD C-UAS capabilities which may use the test ranges on Redstone, and the UAH demonstration facility west of Huntsville Airport.
BIOSCIENCE
Alabama’s thriving bioscience sector drives innovation, creates jobs, fuels economic growth, and enhances lives globally. Alabamians were instrumental in the Human Genome Project, which revolutionized cancer treatment, disease diagnosis, drug development, and agriculture, and they continue to lead advancements in health and agriculture today.
National Impact: North Alabama’s bioscience workforce contributes significantly to genomic discoveries, diagnostics, drug and medical device development, and sustainable agriculture. Collaborative efforts have provided rare disease diagnoses and empowered farmers with innovative agrigenomics solutions.
Community Impact: The sector strengthens local communities through
research, education, and entrepreneurship, generating billions in annual economic impact. Institutions like HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, alongside academic and industry partnerships, diversify the economy and bolster a robust STEM workforce supporting thousands of high-quality jobs.
Continued investment and collaboration between academia and industry are vital to meeting Alabama’s projected need for 850,000 STEM positions by 2026, ensuring future innovation and economic growth.
Requested Actions:
To advance bioscience innovation, the Chamber recommends the following:
■ Increase Research Funding: Support basic and translational research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute on Aging, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institute for Mental Health. Continue funding the Department of Energy’s Office of Science/Joint Genome Institute, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Due to the vital nature of academic and industry coordination, the Chamber endorses prioritizing efforts that aid in publicprivate collaboration.
■ Focus on Genomic Data: Enhance capabilities in generating, analyzing, storing, and securing genomic data for human health and agriculture. Promote interdisciplinary and cross-industry agricultural initiatives with state and regional value, aiming to develop national models.
■ Commercialization and Entrepreneurship: Prioritize investments to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and industry leaders commercialize scientific discoveries. Support policies that translate research into marketready solutions, ensuring the U.S. maintains its global leadership in bioscience innovation.
INFRASTRUCTURE
ROADS
Thanks to our thriving economy and exceptional quality of life, the Huntsville region continues to gain recognition as one of the best places to live in the United States. Additionally, our population is continuing to grow at an unprecedented pace. To sustain this momentum, we are actively pursuing new economic development projects to bring jobs, innovation, and prosperity to our community. However, our ability to attract and support these opportunities depends on addressing our critical infrastructure needs. Roads, bridges, utilities, and other key infrastructure investments are essential to accommodate growth and ensure Huntsville remains a competitive and desirable destination for businesses and residents. Federal support is essential to help us expand capacity and modernize and create a resilient infrastructure network that meets the needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors. We urge you to prioritize these needs to maintain Huntsville’s regional and national leadership role. All infrastructure road projects on this list are considered high-priority roads and are projects that involve a route with a federal designation. They are listed in ranking order. All listed projects are included on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
• Construction of a Redstone Arsenal focused interchange on I-565 near Resolute Way – Resolute Way Interchange at I-565 – With this project, drivers on Madison Boulevard would be connected to Redstone Arsenal at Gate 9. This new interchange would improve safety and efficiency directly west of the existing I-565 and Research Park Boulevard (SR 255) interchange that leads directly into Gate 9. This is a heavily traveled roadway with 75,000 vehicles per
day connecting Redstone Arsenal to the Northern Bypass. A new interchange is needed to reduce congestion and improve safety at this location. An environmental assessment is currently being performed by Redstone Arsenal and we are seeking funds to move this project forward into design and construction to benefit the region.
• Overhauling the interchange between I-565 and Memorial Parkway in the heart of Huntsville – I-565 / U.S. Highway 231 Interchange Modifications – This is the only interchange in our region in which an Interstate and U.S. Highway intersects directly within our urban core. The current interchange serves approximately 190,000 vehicles per day through the center of the region. A corridor study has been completed, showing all turning movements are at functional failure due to continued growth, and the interchange not capable to safely and efficiently handing current traffic volumes. We are seeking funding to move this project forward to design and construction.
• Extending I-565 eastward toward Gurley and Scottsboro U.S. Highway 72 East (Corridor V) – This project will provide an extension of I-565 to include service roads and new interchanges at Moores Mill Road and Shields Road, which will add approximately 2.3 miles along I-565 through a congested area, which continues to grow. In 2015, one additional lane westbound from Shields Road and one additional turn lane at Moores Mill Road were added as a temporary fix for the congestion, however very little benefit was had since the area continues to outgrow the previous temporary improvements. An earlier version of this project was originally funded with Federal Appalachian Regional Commission funds. During that period, an environmental document was completed. Currently, the design is nearly finished. Acquisition was previously started in 2013 but was forced to stop because of a change in funding priorities by the Federal government. To date, new residential and commercial developments, as well as new job centers, continue to be established within the eastern side of our region. The extension of I-565 through this urban corridor would significantly improve traffic flow along U.S. Highway 72 from adjacent regions.
• Widening Highway 72 West towards and through Madison – U.S. Highway 72 West Widening – This 5.5 miles of widening through multiple jurisdictions will provide six lanes to improve traffic flow,
critical capacity, and safety improvements along this urban principal east-west arterial with average daily traffic volumes ranging near 50,000 vehicles per day. This project is currently in design and, due to the project size and duration, we understand there is consideration for two project phases to move it forward more quickly. Phase 1 is anticipated to be between Providence Main and Jeff Road. Highway 72 has become a major throughput and safety concern for the greater Huntsville community.
• Widening Highway 53 to six lanes out of NW Huntsville towards Harvest – Highway 53 Widening (Jeff Road to Old RR Bed) – As growth in northwest Madison County has continued, this critical artery is becoming increasingly dangerous. What was once a sleepy agriculture community is now filled with vibrant subdivisions and retail. This project would widen Highway 53 to six lanes from Jeff Road to Old Railroad Bed Road.
• Creation of a connecting road between I-565 and Redstone Arsenal Gate 10 – Redstone Arsenal East Connector – This roadway will provide direct access from I-565 to Redstone Arsenal Gate 10 at Patton Road, which consists of 2.5 miles of new four-lane divided limited access highway. This project is needed to divert Interstate traffic directly to the eastern side of Redstone Arsenal to its City Center for direct access to new jobs and buildings that are associated with existing and proposed employment centers and infrastructure on base. Additional funding is needed to improve gate access inside Redstone Arsenal. The corridor study is currently underway, and we are seeking funding to move the project toward design and construction.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) (202) 224-4124 tuberville.senate.gov
Sen. Katie Britt (R) (202) 224-5744 britt.senate.gov
Rep. Shomari Figures (D) (202) 225-4931 figures.house.gov
NATURAL GAS
The Chamber supports efforts to expand natural gas infrastructure, including the development of additional pipelines, to ensure a reliable, efficient, and affordable energy supply. An example of innovation natural gas solutions underway is Huntsville Utilities working with the Solid Waste Disposal Authority to collect renewable natural gas generated from landfill methane. Expanding natural gas capacity is essential to meeting the energy demands of north Alabama’s growing economy and supporting continued industrial and residential development. We encourage federal action and collaboration with local stakeholders to prioritize these critical infrastructure needs.
SPACE COMMAND
Secretaries of the Air Force for both President Trump and President Biden both confirmed the integrity and methodology of the site selection process which concluded that Redstone is the preferred site for Space Command Headquarters. President Biden overrode that recommendation in an overtly political decision. We appreciate the Congressional Delegation’s efforts to support the Air Force’s recommendation to locate SPACECOM’s HQ at Redstone.
We would encourage the Delegation to move swiftly to fund the MILCON infrastructure requirements, should a decision to locate the SPACECOM Headquarters at Redstone be reinstated.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Rep. Dale Strong (R) (202) 225-4801 strong.house.gov
Rep. Barry Moore (R) (202) 225-2901 barrymoore.house.gov
Rep. Robert Aderholt (R) (202) 225-4876 aderholt.house.gov
Rep. Gary Palmer (R) (202) 225-4921 palmer.house.gov
Rep. Mike Rogers (R) (202) 225-3261 mikerogers.house.gov
Rep. Terri Sewell (D) (202) 225-2665 sewell.house.gov
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For more information, please contact: Mike Ward, CCE, IOM Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affairs Huntsville/Madison County Chamber 256-535-2030 mward@hsvchamber.org