Statement by Senator Paul Sanford on Raytheon’s Decision to Build Missile Facility on Redstone Arsenal
07/19/2010

Huntsville native and small businessman Sen. Paul Sanford today released the following statement regarding Raytheon's decision to build a missile facility on Redstone Arsenal:

"When a major corporation like Raytheon chooses to build a facility in North Alabama, we should all take notice and be grateful for the opportunities this will bring - not only in terms of actual jobs, but also the many side benefits an investment of this magnitude offers.

"My family has watched for three generations how the missile industry has evolved here in Huntsville, as our area has long been known as a leader in space and defense-related innovation. The production of missiles here in conjunction with the high tech support systems Raytheon provides to the Defense Department is a boon to our state and local economies as well as our national defense.

"Raytheon's decision to build Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 on Redstone Arsenal speaks volumes about the confidence industry has in our workforce, our infrastructure and our tax base. Huntsville has been Alabama's best-kept secret for a long time, but the Raytheon announcement proves the world is discovering our potential.

"My hat goes off to Governor Riley and his economic development team for their tireless efforts in bringing another great opportunity to Madison County and North Alabama."

Paul Sanford is a newly minted Republican state senator representing District 7 (all within Madison County) having won a special election for the seat in 2009. He and his wife Danielle own and operate "little Paul's Barbecue" in Huntsville.