8/25/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622 |
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Mayor applauds federal panel's vote to bring new jobs to Fort Ben finance center
City will encourage local residents to apply for jobs, help employees relocate INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today applauded today's vote by the federal Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission (BRAC) to bring new jobs to Indianapolis at the Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) center at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Earlier this year, the Secretary of Defense recommended consolidation of much of the Department of Defense's (DOD) accounting services and jobs, which would add new jobs to the existing 3,000 at the Indianapolis center and significantly boost the local economy.
Today, the BRAC voted in favor of the recommendation. It now goes to President Bush and the U.S. Congress for final approval. Mayor Peterson joined Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman today in Lawrence city officials to celebrate the news.
"Today, we are one important step closer to realizing this fantastic opportunity for thousands of new jobs for Indianapolis," Mayor Peterson said. "We are grateful for the hard work and cooperation among state, local and federal officials that has gotten us to this point."
Mayor Peterson also said, pending approval by the president and Congress, the city will help local residents apply for jobs at the facilities and open its doors to those wishing to relocate.
City steps to secure Ft. Ben jobs. Mayor Peterson, Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy and other city officials have spent the last several months lobbying for the secretary's recommendation to add jobs to DFAS-Indianapolis, including:
• Testifying before the BRAC in Washington D.C .with U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, U.S. Reps. Julia Carson & Dan Burton and Gov. Mitch Daniels.
• Meeting with BRAC Chairman Anthony Principi in Washington, D.C. and BRAC Commissioners Lloyd Newton and Sam Skinner at DFAS-Indianapolis;
• Writing the entire commission in support of the secretary's recommendation and submitting testimony at its hearing in St. Louis in June;
• Gathering the support of local universities, including the University of Indianapolis, Purdue University and IUPUI, to discuss the pool of potential employees for such an expansion; and
• Providing up-to-date information to the commission on the business case for DFAS consolidation and the quality of life and workforce in Indianapolis.
About DFAS-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.
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