Poarch Creek Indians donate $2.5M to Space & Rocket Center
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville announced Tuesday the Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated $2.5 million to the center’s new Space Camp Operations Center that opened earlier this month.
Though a ribbon cutting was held May 19, which included a visit by Gov. Kay Ivey, the donation had not been announced. Signage for the tribe was posted inside the center’s 1,000-seat auditorium — which the rocket center said the donation funded — prior to the ribbon cutting.
The donation is the largest by Poarch Creek Indians in north Alabama, according to the rocket center.
“The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is known all over the world, and we are honored and excited to be part of building its new Space Camp Operations Center,” Stephanie A. Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair & CEO, said in the announcement. “Space Camp has long been a source of pride in our state for encouraging young people from many countries and cultures to pursue careers in space including astronauts, engineers, highly trained technicians, and leaders in both the public and private sectors. As technology continues to advance at lightning speed, we believe the learning experiences the camp offers will play a pivotal role in producing a next generation of leaders in space, and we are proud to support this unique and important Alabama institution.”
The Space Camp Operations Center is the first new facility at the rocket center campus since the Davidson Center opened in 2008. The 40,600 square foot building houses 10 classrooms and laboratories for Space Camp and Space Camp Robotics, and a Cyber Mission Control for U.S. Cyber Camp in addition to the auditorium.
The rocket center said the auditorium will serve as the launching point for the tens of thousands of people who attend Space Camp programs and visit the rocket center for educational and community events. It will also be the site for presentations
from astronaut speakers to visiting dignitaries.
Boeing is the title sponsor of the building after donating $3.5 million to its construction in 2021.
“The Poarch Band of Creek Indians investment in our mission furthers our ability to inspire and educate those who will shape the future,” Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director
of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, said in the announcement. “The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Auditorium is the heart of this magnificent new facility where camp trainees will graduate and launch into STEM careers and where the community, industry partners, and academia will come together to celebrate accomplishments past, present, and future.”