Pictured, from left: Brad Jones, chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County; Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie; Dan Smith, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems; Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer; and Tony Palumbo, Huntsville center executive, Raytheon.

To the sounds of the southern rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” played over loud-speakers outside its new state-of-the-art facility, Raytheon recently kicked off a ribbon cutting event celebrating it’s commitment to Huntsville/Madison County.

The 140,000 square-foot facility consolidates Huntsville operations from three facilities – enabling multiple divisions and employees to work in the same building. This will not only increase productivity, but also offers an employee-friendly, high-tech facility that the employees can be proud of, according to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems President Dan Smith.

Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Chair Brad Jones said the opening of the new facility was a tribute to the community, and thanked Smith and event emcee Tony Palumbo, Huntsville center executive for Raytheon.

“Raytheon has established itself as not only an industry leader, but also as a business leader in our community. We appreciate Tony Palumbo and Dan Smith’s vision and their commitment to community service,” Jones said.

Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer also thanked the Raytheon commitment to Huntsville and congratulated the employees on the success of the company and its support of the military.

“I am honored to join in opening Raytheon’s new facility in the city’s Cummings Research Park. Huntsville is proud to be associated with the quality and work ethic of Raytheon. The work done in this building has profound effects on our nation by providing our soldiers with reliable tools for their missions.”

Madison County Commission Chair Mike Gillespie also addressed attendees and employees.

“Congratulations to you all and thank you not only for making the decision to expand but also for your commitment to our community historically. Our community has such a bright future because of companies like Raytheon,” he said.

Smith said the celebration was more than a mere ribbon cutting – agreeing that new facility was a tribute to Raytheon’s long history in Alabama.

“We are not merely unveiling a new office building. We are strengthening this tradition and opening a new home for our people – the people who do this important work so they can continue to feel the pride in what they do and feel even more pride in where they do it,” he said. “This is a proud day for us at Raytheon.”