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United Launch Alliance Expands Decatur, Alabama, Operations

07/24/2024
Launch service provider United Launch Alliance expanded its operations in Decatur, Alabama. The $300 million project is expected to create 200 jobs.

The investment will increase the company’s rocket assembly facility from 1.9 million square feet to 2.4 million square feet allowing it to roughly double its launch rate.

“We are grateful for the partnerships that we’ve had for many years to allow this kind of growth and allow us to keep going here,” said John Elbon, chief operating officer of ULA. “We will be continuing to support our U.S. Space Force customer, as well as our commercial customer Amazon, which signed the largest commercial contract that’s ever been awarded for 38 launches on our new Vulcan rocket. We’ll be launching their Kuiper Constellation, and these facilities are a big part of making all that happen.”

United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA) designs, assembles, sells and launches rockets, but the company subcontracts out the production of rocket engines and solid rocket boosters. The company has sold more than 70 Vulcan launches to date, including 38 missions for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband satellite program and multiple national security space launch missions.

“Companies involved in spaceflight know our workforce has proven itself over many decades, and that’s why they keep turning to Alabama to help solve the industry’s biggest challenges,” noted Angela Till, Deputy Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“ULA continues to thrive and grow in Decatur, Morgan County,” added Jeremy Nails, president and CEO of the Morgan County Economic Development Association. “Their recent investment of $317 million in new facilities to support the increase in the new Vulcan rocket production solidifies their presence and commitment to our community and the State of Alabama We are proud to have the most reliable launch vehicle manufacturer located in Decatur, Morgan County.”

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