Sponsors urge relocating NASA headquarters to Cleveland, citing Ohio’s aerospace assets

Sponsors urged the committee to support a nonbinding request for NASA to consider relocating its headquarters to Cleveland, citing Ohio’s aviation and aerospace history, research centers and workforce.

House Resolution 60, presented by Representative Ty Matthews and Representative Santucci, argues that Ohio’s concentration of aerospace facilities and workforce make Cleveland a logical candidate for NASA headquarters. Representative Matthews told the committee that "relocating NASA headquarters to Cleveland would allow it to leverage the state's extensive network of aerospace experts and cutting edge research institutions," citing proximity to the NASA Glenn Research Center and the Neil Armstrong Test Facility.

The nut graf: sponsors said the resolution is intended to recognize Ohio’s historical role in aviation and to encourage federal leaders to give “serious consideration” to Cleveland as a headquarters location, which sponsors and some members said could spur job creation, local economic development, and stronger ties between universities and NASA.

Members asked operational questions. Vice Chair Ferguson asked why Cleveland was chosen; sponsors cited proximity to NASA Glenn and Sandusky facilities. Representative Rader, who represents Cleveland, said he supported the effort and noted constituent employment ties to NASA. Members also asked whether relocating a headquarters would reduce the federal workforce or increase outsourcing; sponsors said they hoped relocation would attract supply-chain businesses to Ohio and could produce additional local contracting and high-tech jobs rather than net job losses.

The committee did not vote on the resolution at the first hearing. Sponsors said they had sent a letter to the White House and Ohio’s congressional delegation and that 65 Ohio House members had signed the request.