(WWJ) The city of Sterling Heights has set a lofty goal: Becoming the new headquarters for the United States Space Command.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor this week announced he has submitted a nomination for consideration to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.
Arguing that the Detroit suburb would be the perfect location, Taylor points to Sterling Heights' proximity to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the historic and strong defense presence within Macomb County’s “Arsenal of Democracy. "
Taylor said this region is world-renowned for innovation in the defense industry.
“When the city’s nomination is scored, we are confident that Sterling Heights will be a prime location for the headquarters for the United States Space Command,” said Taylor, in a statement. “There is a rich heritage in this region for defense assets and this is a strong foundation for this new undertaking.”
"Working alongside our governmental partners and private industry, we have grown to understand that Macomb County is a leader in defense production and innovation,"added Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, expressing his support for the bid. "As our state explores the feasibility of landing the United States Space Command in our community, we stand ready to illustrate our competitive advantage and showcase the inspiring capabilities we have right here in Macomb."
In December of 2018, President Donald Trump signed an order creating the Pentagon's new Space Command — an effort to better organize and advance the military's vast operations in space.
A permanent location for the command center has yet to be chosen, and Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, believes Sterling Heights fits the bill.
“As part of this nomination process, we have done an extensive review of the United States Space Command competition criteria,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “It is clear that with Macomb County’s industrial base, elite academic institutions, skilled manpower, strategic geographic location, and military infrastructure, there is no location that can offer greater value or capacity as a key component for future U.S. Space Forces.”
Space Command is temporarily headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.It's different from, but connected to Trump's Space Force, which began recruiting in May.