54002858088 2421581B54 O — A rendering of the first Challenger Learning Center in the state of Alabama. (Governor’s Office / Hal Yeager)

Tuesday marked the official start to construction of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama.

Gov. Kay Ivey was in attendance along with several other local and state leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony in Rainbow City on Sept. 17. Ivey spoke to the crowd and more specifics were announced for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

“The Challenger Center Program, a leading worldwide nonprofit science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education organization, and the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA) officially partnered in 2024 to establish, for the first time, a Challenger Learning Center in the state of Alabama.”
~ Governor’s Office

Keep reading to learn more about the future of the site.

$11M facility

54001719847 A46Ec76332 O — State leaders participate in Tuesday’s groundbreaking photo op in Rainbow City. (Governor’s Office / Hal Yeager)

More than two years after it was first announced, ground has officially been broken on the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama. The center hopes to provide hands-on STEM learning including space-themed activities for middle schoolers in central Alabama beginning in 2026.

This will be the first Challenger Learning Center in Alabama and the 37th center in the country. The organization is headquartered in Washington D.C.

Alabama’s “state-of-the-art” facility is expected to cost around $11 million with money already raised using state and federal funds. It will include three full size classrooms along with hands-on simulators representing:

Mission control
Space shuttle
Briefing room
Transport room

The center will be located at 1986 Challenger Way, Rainbow City, AL 35906.

“Today is a pivotal moment for Rainbow City, Etowah County, and all of Alabama! Our Governor is a steadfast supporter of education, and this day offers us the opportunity to adopt innovative approaches to enhance our children’s lives through learning. Let’s give a heartfelt welcome home to the Challenger Learning Center of North Alabama!”
~ Joe Taylor, Rainbow City mayor