BRAC effort gets $100K boost

Plans to recruit military workers from northern Virginia to the Huntsville area got a major boost Monday from Gov. Bob Riley.

Riley presented a $100,000 check to local leaders "so that we can get the word out about what a great place North Alabama - the whole state, really - is to live and work," Riley said during a ceremony at Redstone Arsenal.

The money will be used to bolster recruitment efforts planned for next year in the area around Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia - the current home of major Army organizations that soon will move to Redstone thanks to the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission, or BRAC.

Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer said the money is vital to the city's effort to convince people to move here. Local delegations plan several trips in the coming months to "put the word out about what a wonderful place Huntsville and Redstone is to live and work," she said.

Major organizations to be located at Redstone over the next five years include the Missile Defense Agency, Army Materiel Command and Space & Missile Defense Command headquarters.

Shortly after the presentation ceremony, Riley, Spencer, Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie, Madison Mayor Sandy Kirkindall and other officials met with Redstone's commanding officer, Army Maj. Gen. Jim Pillsbury, about community and Army issues related to completing the BRAC moves.

The moves are expected to bring about 5,000 military, civilian and contractor jobs to the arsenal, and another 10,000 support jobs are projected to follow to North Alabama region.

Gillespie said the job numbers are still changing.

The Pentagon has up to five years to complete the relocations, but the moves are expected to take place before 2010.

Gillespie said the Washington area is the major focus, "but it's not just there."

"Other areas, like Atlanta, have people and jobs slated to come here," he said. "We are discussing where to go, what to do and planning for that now."




BRAC effort gets $100K boost Money from state to bolster recruiting efforts in D.C. area Tuesday, December 20, 2005 By SHELBY G. SPIRES Times Aerospace Writer shelbys@htimes.com Plans to recruit military workers from northern Virginia to the Huntsville area got a major boost Monday from Gov. Bob Riley. Riley presented a $100,000 check to local leaders "so that we can get the word out about what a great place North Alabama - the whole state, really - is to live and work," Riley said during a ceremony at Redstone Arsenal. The money will be used to bolster recruitment efforts planned for next year in the area around Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia - the current home of major Army organizations that soon will move to Redstone thanks to the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission, or BRAC. Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer said the money is vital to the city's effort to convince people to move here. Local delegations plan several trips in the coming months to "put the word out about what a wonderful place Huntsville and Redstone is to live and work," she said. Major organizations to be located at Redstone over the next five years include the Missile Defense Agency, Army Materiel Command and Space & Missile Defense Command headquarters. Shortly after the presentation ceremony, Riley, Spencer, Madison County Commission Chairman Mike Gillespie, Madison Mayor Sandy Kirkindall and other officials met with Redstone's commanding officer, Army Maj. Gen. Jim Pillsbury, about community and Army issues related to completing the BRAC moves. The moves are expected to bring about 5,000 military, civilian and contractor jobs to the arsenal, and another 10,000 support jobs are projected to follow to North Alabama region. Gillespie said the job numbers are still changing. The Pentagon has up to five years to complete the relocations, but the moves are expected to take place before 2010. Gillespie said the Washington area is the major focus, "but it's not just there." "Other areas, like Atlanta, have people and jobs slated to come here," he said. "We are discussing where to go, what to do and planning for that now." © 2005 The Huntsville Times © 2005 al.com All Rights Reserved.