Military Downsizing Will Impact Kentucky
Ivan C. Potter, Publisher West Kentucky Journal
Losing an additional 4,100 soldiers and civilians beyond the impact of the 3/1 inactivation basically would erase the gains in employment Fort Knox experienced during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure initiative that brought units such as Cadet Command and Human Resources Command to Kentucky, said Brad Richardson, president and CEO of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce. Those numbers would equate to the loss of 5,954 active-duty soldiers and 1,651 civilians, which have average incomes of $46,760 and $57,523, respectively. Fort Knox's permanent party population was 13,127 in 2011, according to the assessment. In addition, the SPEA report said more than 4,200 spouses and 7,300 children would leave the post with the reduction. All told, Fort Knox could lose up to $431.2 million in compensation, which officials recognize would damage the local economy. The assessment anticipates a loss of $424.8 million in sales and $4.1 million in sales taxes if all sales occur in Kentucky. Further fallout could be seen with declines in the housing market and reduction of school enrollment, costing teachers and staff jobs, as it did when the 3/1 departed. Fort Knox had an overall economic impact of about $2.8 billion before the inactivation of the 3/1. That impact could fall to $2.4 billion with the maximum losses proposed, said Ryan Brus, Fort Knox Public Affairs officer. A similar story is developing for Fort Campbell, Kentucky. According to Clarksville, TN. mayor, Kim McMillan, new figures from the Army will greatly impact the Army base and the surrounding region. "The Army said in July that Fort Campbell could lose half of its civilian and military workforce. This is roughly 16,000 people. The economic hit would be $863 million." Christian County Chamber of Commerce official, Kensley Marcus, said that ".. the large scale cuts would lead to 41,000 people leaving the area." The next governor must deal with the $15 billion dollar military industry in Kentucky that serves three primary bases and over 500 military industrial research and development supply companies. The planned cuts are the first shots fired in an expected long battle over who in domestic military bases will bear the brunt of military spending cutbacks.
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