9/9/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Monica Whitfield Brase, [317] 327-3690 |
 |
Mayor applauds federal panel’s official report that brings new jobs to Fort Ben
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson today received word from the federal Defense Base Closure & Realignment Commission (BRAC) that it has officially recommended to the President that the Indianapolis Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) center at Fort Benjamin Harrison remain open, consistent with the vote it took almost three weeks ago.
In its report, the BRAC estimated that DFAS will gain a total of 2,500 new jobs, including over 1,300 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs. The Mayor noted that these are only estimates and that ultimately the Pentagon would determine how to allocate its workforce in the five remaining DFAS sites. DFAS-Indy, as the largest DFAS facility, could gain more new jobs than the BRAC estimate.
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.
To become law, the recommendations contained in the report require the approval of the President, who has indicated he will accept the BRAC’s recommendations, and not be rejected by a joint resolution of Congress within 45 working days after receiving the President’s approval.
"We are pleased with the continuing good news about DFAS coming out of Washington D.C.," said Mayor Peterson. "I look forward to hearing very soon that the President and Congress agree with the commission’s recommendation. We fought hard for these jobs, and our nation will continue to be well-served by our outstanding workforce."
Mayor Peterson also said that the city will work with DFAS and the Indianapolis Private Industry Council to help local residents apply for jobs at DFAS and will work with DFAS employees in other states considering relocation to Indiana. The city will also work with local universities and community colleges to further develop educational and training programs to address the needs of DFAS’ current and future workforce. He encouraged anyone interested in looking at a job at DFAS to visit www.usajobs.org for more information.
City steps to secure Ft. Ben jobs. Mayor Peterson, Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy and other city officials have lobbied for the secretary’s recommendation to add jobs to DFAS-Indianapolis.
• Testifying before the BRAC 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; 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.
|
