Base Council Donates $25K to Chamber’s Military Affairs Commission
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council has donated $25,000 to the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Foundation to support the agency’s Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission.
For the past two years, the commission has secured tens of millions of dollars in direct federal investment for the Mahoning Valley’s military installations: the Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center.
“Support from partners like the [Base Community Council] enables us to expand the missions at our military installations,” said Vito Abruzzino, EOMAC director, in a statement. “With the recent closure of GM Lordstown, it’s more important than ever that we foster economic growth at these facilities.”
Work is set to begin on a new $8.8 million front gate at YARS, that will bring the air station up to Pentagon safety requirements and ensure the continued operation of the Valley’s third-largest employer.
At Camp Garfield, work has begun on a $9 million machine gun range, which serves as a training location for YARS personnel, while pumping more than $30 million into the economy annually.
EOMAC has worked with the northeastern Ohio congressional delegation to help increase the economic output at YARS for the second year in a row to $108 million, and more opportunities are on the horizon.
The National Defense Authorization Act includes money for four new C-130J model aircraft that EOMAC is advocating to be assigned to YARS and Camp Garfield remains one of three sites under consideration for a $4 billion missile defense system.
“The work that EOMAC does compliments the efforts of the Base Community Council,” said Rick Jugenheimer, president of BCC. “Our collaboration shows the Pentagon that we are a defense community supporting its military personnel.”
The two organizations are teaming up to bring back the Thunder Over the Valley air show, a free event featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds. Visit YoungstownAirShow.com for more information.
Pictured: Base Community Council President Rick Jugenheimer, BCC member Simon Werle and EOMAC Executive Director Vito Abruzzino.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
