Redstone Arsenal additions reshape Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP)
The decision to add about 4,650 positions to Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal has reshaped the north Alabama city's economy.
The Huntsville Times reports that Sept. 15 is the deadline for the relocation of thousands of federal positions to be relocated to the Redstone Arsenal under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision.
BRAC committee chair Joe Ritch says about 4,650 positions have come to Redstone Arsenal over the last five years and that meeting the deadline isn't an issue.
But Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says growth will continue as businesses and contractors are drawn to the area for better access to the arsenal.
He says 5,000 to 10,000 jobs are to be created to support the new arsenal jobs. Another 9,000 jobs will be created in other businesses.