Wednesday, Governor Bill Lee announced Tennessee’s intent to pursue the United States Space Academy, a campus established by President Donald J. Trump and designed to strengthen America’s space workforce and educate the next generation of astronauts, engineers, scientists, technicians, and operators. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is leading the process to evaluate potential locations.

Tennessee’s proposal would anchor the U.S. Space Academy in the Tennessee Valley Aerospace Corridor, positioning the Middle Tennessee I-24 Industrial site in Coffee County as the ideal location. The site offers existing infrastructure with room to grow and immediate access to one of the country’s premier aerospace and defense corridors. Located minutes from Arnold Air Force Base and in close proximity to Huntsville, Alabama, the site offers a natural connection to one of America’s leading centers for aerospace innovation.