PA Gov. Rendell Pleased with Reports on Military Bolstering State Economy
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell today welcomed a new report that details the positive and growing
impact of military and veterans operations on Pennsylvania's economy.
According to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs' "2007
Economic Impact in Communities" report, it and the Pennsylvania National
Guard generated a total economic impact of $1.48 billion in 2007, stemming
from more than $800 million in expenditures. The figure represents an
increase of slightly more than 10 percent over 2006.
"The Pennsylvania National Guard and the department have shown
themselves to be second to none when it comes to fighting for our country
and protecting our citizens in times of crisis," Governor Rendell said. "A
lesser known fact concerns the tremendous financial impact the Guard has in
more than 90 local communities where they have a daily presence."
The DMVA and the Guard employ about 22,000 people throughout
Pennsylvania, including about 2,000 full-time federal and state employees
at DMVA's headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.
The department is unique in that it has a dual mission. It provides
quality service to the state's 1.1 million veterans and their families by
operating a network of assistance programs, the Scotland School for
Veterans' Children and six veterans' homes; and also oversees and supports
the 19,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, said the
Guard's economic influence should continue to increase significantly in the
years ahead because of the unprecedented number of construction projects
planned at the Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap and throughout the
state. The community projects are tied to the conversion of the Guard's
28th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
This spring alone, the Guard plans to break ground on new readiness
centers and field maintenance facilities in the communities of Bradford,
Elizabethtown, Carlisle and Easton. The four projects represent a $60
million investment, with many of those dollars going back into those
communities.
The Bradford facility, which will be located at the Bradford Regional
Airport in McKean County, is an example of a Guard project that is expected
to spark additional business and economic development activity in the
region. The Bradford Airport Authority actively pursed the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs in offering 23 acres of airport land for a
new readiness center. Groundbreaking for the $8.3 million project is
scheduled for April 4.
DMVA significantly impacted the Erie County economy last year when it
invested $8.5 million in the form of a new dementia/Alzheimer's unit at the
Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie.
"These are exciting times for us as we forge new partnerships with our
neighbors across the state," said Gen. Wright. "The next few years will
continue to see an unprecedented number of construction projects that will
greatly benefit the Pennsylvania National Guard and local communities."
DMVA's five-year construction program includes 11 new readiness
centers, the renovation and upgrade of 14 existing centers, and the
construction of six new field-maintenance facilities.
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania
National Guard continue to look for qualified employees. DMVA is currently
seeking nurses for its six veterans' homes and is offering up to $10,000 in
loan forgiveness for qualified applicants. Service in the National Guard
can include free tuition, signing bonuses, college loan forgiveness, and
much more.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, call
1-800-GO-GUARD; for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, call
1-800-532-0858; or for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,
call 717-861-6993.
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today welcomed a new report that details the positive and growing impact of military and veterans operations on Pennsylvania's economy. According to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs' "2007 Economic Impact in Communities" report, it and the Pennsylvania National Guard generated a total economic impact of $1.48 billion in 2007, stemming from more than $800 million in expenditures. The figure represents an increase of slightly more than 10 percent over 2006. "The Pennsylvania National Guard and the department have shown themselves to be second to none when it comes to fighting for our country and protecting our citizens in times of crisis," Governor Rendell said. "A lesser known fact concerns the tremendous financial impact the Guard has in more than 90 local communities where they have a daily presence." The DMVA and the Guard employ about 22,000 people throughout Pennsylvania, including about 2,000 full-time federal and state employees at DMVA's headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. The department is unique in that it has a dual mission. It provides quality service to the state's 1.1 million veterans and their families by operating a network of assistance programs, the Scotland School for Veterans' Children and six veterans' homes; and also oversees and supports the 19,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, said the Guard's economic influence should continue to increase significantly in the years ahead because of the unprecedented number of construction projects planned at the Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap and throughout the state. The community projects are tied to the conversion of the Guard's 28th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. This spring alone, the Guard plans to break ground on new readiness centers and field maintenance facilities in the communities of Bradford, Elizabethtown, Carlisle and Easton. The four projects represent a $60 million investment, with many of those dollars going back into those communities. The Bradford facility, which will be located at the Bradford Regional Airport in McKean County, is an example of a Guard project that is expected to spark additional business and economic development activity in the region. The Bradford Airport Authority actively pursed the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in offering 23 acres of airport land for a new readiness center. Groundbreaking for the $8.3 million project is scheduled for April 4. DMVA significantly impacted the Erie County economy last year when it invested $8.5 million in the form of a new dementia/Alzheimer's unit at the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie. "These are exciting times for us as we forge new partnerships with our neighbors across the state," said Gen. Wright. "The next few years will continue to see an unprecedented number of construction projects that will greatly benefit the Pennsylvania National Guard and local communities." DMVA's five-year construction program includes 11 new readiness centers, the renovation and upgrade of 14 existing centers, and the construction of six new field-maintenance facilities. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania National Guard continue to look for qualified employees. DMVA is currently seeking nurses for its six veterans' homes and is offering up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness for qualified applicants. Service in the National Guard can include free tuition, signing bonuses, college loan forgiveness, and much more. For more information on the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, call 1-800-GO-GUARD; for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, call 1-800-532-0858; or for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, call 717-861-6993.