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Study confirms positive economic impact of military
Salina,
Kan., (January 14, 2010) - A
recent study commissioned by the Governor's Military Affairs Council
and Kansas, Inc. reaffirms the major positive economic impact the
military brings to Kansas communities.
The study,
conducted by the Center for Economic Development and Business Research,
W. Frank Barton School of Business and Wichita State University, shows
the annual impact of military activities to the gross state product is
nearly $8 billion, yields close to 170,000 jobs and pays more than $5.5
billion in wages and earnings.
With Fort
Riley right down the road, few think of Salina as a military town. However, according to the study Smoky
Hill Air National Guard Weapons' Range and other Great Plains Joint
Training Center units directly and indirectly contribute to more than
1,700 jobs for area residents. Those workers collect more than $15.5
million in earnings.
There is a larger military role
in Salina and Saline County than many people see, said Kansas Adjutant
General, Maj. Gen. Tod M. Bunting.
"However, we believe their awareness will change as we
bring in more worldwide air competitions like we had this past summer,
and more large-scale (joint training) exercises like Vigilant Guard
2009."
To Salina and Saline County, the Smoky Hill ANG has
a $323,000 tax and fiscal impact with a total output of $4.6 million.
The results of this study may have come as a shock
to some but it came as no surprise to the Salina Airport Authority's
executive director, Tim Rogers, A.A.E.
"We've enjoyed a strong partnership with the
military," explained Rogers.
"Together with the City of Salina, Saline County, and Salina
Area Chamber of Commerce we've been able to support the local Great
Plains Joint Training Center units and military units from outside the
state, region and even the country."
The results of the study were released on the heels
of the Airport Authority's Board of Directors approval of a $76,980
yearly lease by the State of Kansas, Kansas Military Board for 13,640
square feet of office, shop and warehouse space for classroom and
training activities.
"National Guard Bureau determined Salina would
be a great location as a national center for excellence,"
explained Gen. Bunting.
"Salina allows us to take advantage of all the other
capabilities we currently have there, further enhancing the training
individuals can receive in one location."
Units have already been
using the Salina facility for pre-deployment training for a dozen
different classes including transportation, logistics and
artillery.
"Salina is a national treasure with 36,000
acres at Smoky Hill, and the development of the Great Plains Joint
Training Center with Crisis City," he continued. "We are far enough away from
town so that we don't disturb the people; however, we are close enough
to other training venues that the distance doesn't cause any
problems. Salina is centrally
located and provides commercial air transportation for soldiers
attending the courses, the Kansas National Guard Training Center and
the City of Salina has sufficient lodging and dining capacity available
to accommodate the projected course load and the Kansas National Guard
235th RTI has a rich history of exceeding Army course accreditation
standards."
The newly acquired building will be used mainly to
instruct military supply courses.
This is a part of a nationwide effort to centralize training for
the National Guard and Army Reserve.
The building will provide an automation lab, classrooms and
material warehouse management spaces.
The courses are designed to train more than 750 soldiers
annually. Future estimated
annual training loads are expected to surpass 900 soldiers a year.
This means more dollars to Salina businesses. Soldiers eat in local restaurants,
shop local stores and seek refuge from a hard day's training at local
entertainment venues.
Additionally, more courses taught year-round will come with
full-time instructors and a support staff of approximately 20 soldiers
and their families in the Salina community.
To facilitate this growth the Salina Airport
Authority will spend more than $270,000 to update and improve the
building to better suit the Guard's needs.
Improvements will include expanded classroom space,
fire and safety code updates, and energy enhancements to adapt the
facility to for specialized training requirements and enhance the
learning environment.
"This spirit of cooperation is a critical
component for achieving future growth and expansion of our strategic
goals and objectives in the Salina area," said Gen. Bunting
"We so appreciate that the community makes our Guard members feel
welcome and is open to the expansion of our capabilities and
operations. We are very grateful
for all of the community support we've received. I look forward to our continued partnership
with Salina, Salina County and the Salina Airport Authority and believe
our combined efforts will mean more jobs and a better economic picture
for the community for many years to come."
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