Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 21, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The report is a product of numerous jurisdictions across the state in conjunction with the Governor’s Policy Office and serves as a reminder to policy makers at the federal, state and local levels the many ways in which the state and the communities work in partnership with the military installations to support, directly and indirectly, the operations of the installations, including:
· Promoting an abundant supply of energy, a quality environment that allows training and operations without undue restrictions, a competitive communications industry, a public and private health care system that supports the military’s health care system, and a transportation system that provides rapid access to training areas within the state and an ideal platform for operations around the world; and
· Providing a high quality education for the families of the military personnel, an adequate supply of housing for families off base, and employment search services that connect military dependents with strong labor markets in the vicinity of the bases.
The report also documents the value of Washington state as a host state from a geographic perspective, including its proximity to current and potential areas of operation and the diverse climate and terrain that allows military training in many of the conditions the service personnel may face during military action.
One of the most notable elements of the report is its description of the enormous economic impact military installations have on the state, supporting 188,000 jobs per year and $7.2 billion in earnings. Twenty-one of the state’s 39 counties have companies that do business with the state’s military bases.
“Washington’s military bases are a tremendous asset to our state and vital to the defense of our nation,” Locke said. “We must continue to invest in a close working relationship with the military and in infrastructure and services in the vicinity of our bases to ensure their continued value to the nation and this state.”
In transmitting the report to recipients, Locke reminded policy makers that the military is impacted by decisions made at all levels of state government and the state has a long and proud tradition serving as home to several military installations.
The state of Washington hosts several major military bases and significant installations of all branches of the military. Pierce County is the home of McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis. Kitsap County is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Base Kitsap and the Keyport Undersea Warfare Center. Island County is the location of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Snohomish County hosts the Everett Naval Station. Spokane County is the location of Fairchild Air Force Base. Yakima County is home to a training facility that is organizationally part of Fort Lewis. In addition to these major facilities, there are more than 100 smaller facilities, including hospitals, camps, depots, signal stations and recruiting offices.
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Related links:
Full Text of Partnership Study can be found at: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/reports/military/militaryparternship.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 21, 2004
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Gary Locke Issues Report on State’s Partnership with Military Installations
Gov. Gary Locke today sent a report detailing Washington state’s commitment to its military installations to the U.S. Department of Defense and the state’s congressional delegation.The report is a product of numerous jurisdictions across the state in conjunction with the Governor’s Policy Office and serves as a reminder to policy makers at the federal, state and local levels the many ways in which the state and the communities work in partnership with the military installations to support, directly and indirectly, the operations of the installations, including:
· Promoting an abundant supply of energy, a quality environment that allows training and operations without undue restrictions, a competitive communications industry, a public and private health care system that supports the military’s health care system, and a transportation system that provides rapid access to training areas within the state and an ideal platform for operations around the world; and
· Providing a high quality education for the families of the military personnel, an adequate supply of housing for families off base, and employment search services that connect military dependents with strong labor markets in the vicinity of the bases.
The report also documents the value of Washington state as a host state from a geographic perspective, including its proximity to current and potential areas of operation and the diverse climate and terrain that allows military training in many of the conditions the service personnel may face during military action.
One of the most notable elements of the report is its description of the enormous economic impact military installations have on the state, supporting 188,000 jobs per year and $7.2 billion in earnings. Twenty-one of the state’s 39 counties have companies that do business with the state’s military bases.
“Washington’s military bases are a tremendous asset to our state and vital to the defense of our nation,” Locke said. “We must continue to invest in a close working relationship with the military and in infrastructure and services in the vicinity of our bases to ensure their continued value to the nation and this state.”
In transmitting the report to recipients, Locke reminded policy makers that the military is impacted by decisions made at all levels of state government and the state has a long and proud tradition serving as home to several military installations.
The state of Washington hosts several major military bases and significant installations of all branches of the military. Pierce County is the home of McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis. Kitsap County is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Base Kitsap and the Keyport Undersea Warfare Center. Island County is the location of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Snohomish County hosts the Everett Naval Station. Spokane County is the location of Fairchild Air Force Base. Yakima County is home to a training facility that is organizationally part of Fort Lewis. In addition to these major facilities, there are more than 100 smaller facilities, including hospitals, camps, depots, signal stations and recruiting offices.
# # #
Related links:
Full Text of Partnership Study can be found at: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/reports/military/militaryparternship.pdf
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