8/2/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Monica Brase, [317] 327-3690 |
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Peterson to join federal & state officials on visit to Fort Ben finance center, push for new jobs
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today will join Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, Lawrence Mayor Deborah Cantwell and other state and local officials to welcome Gen. Lloyd Newton and Sam Skinner, commissioners of the Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission (BRAC), to Indianapolis to visit the Indianapolis’ Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) center at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
The Mayor has spent the last several months lobbying for the Secretary of Defense’s recommendation to consolidate much of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) accounting services and jobs to DFAS-Indianapolis. The plan could add thousands of jobs to the existing 3,000 employees at the center and have a significant impact on the greater Indianapolis economy.
WHEN: Tomorrow - Wednesday, August 3; 8 a.m.
WHERE: MG Emmett J. Bean Federal Center, Ft. Benjamin Harrison
In addition to today’s visit, Mayor Peterson and city officials have:
• Met personally BRAC Chairman Anthony Principi in Washington;
• Met personally with other Pentagon officials including national DFAS leaders;
• Written the entire commission in support the secretary’s recommendation and submitted testimony to the commission hearing in St. Louis in June;
• Gathered the support of local universities, including Purdue University and IUPUI, to support the effort and discuss the pool of potential employees for such an expansion; and
• Provided up-to-date information to the commission on the business case for DFAS consolidation and the quality of life and workforce in Indianapolis.
DFAS-Indianapolis was established in 1991 and has played an integral role in transforming the accounting, military pay, travel pay and commercial pay support services for the nation’s military personnel, civilians and retirees. It oversees 40 percent of DOD’s network including eight smaller DFAS facilities, disbursing more than $39 billion annually and providing services to 1.9 million people.
These functions are housed in the MG Emmett J. Bean Federal Center, one of the most sophisticated and secure facilities in the country. With 1.6 million square feet, the center is the third largest federal building in the nation.
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