Pennsylvania Office of the Governor News

Governor Rendell Unveils Report Showing Military and Veterans Operations Contribute $1.5 Billion to State Economy

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Governor Edward G. Rendell today welcomed a new report that details the positive and growing impact of military and veterans operations on Pennsylvania's economy.

According to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs' "2007 Economic Impact in Communities" report, it and the Pennsylvania National Guard generated a total economic impact of $1.48 billion in 2007, stemming from more than $800 million in expenditures. The figure represents an increase of slightly more than 10 percent over 2006.

"The Pennsylvania National Guard and the department have shown themselves to be second to none when it comes to fighting for our country and protecting our citizens in times of crisis," Governor Rendell said. "A lesser known fact concerns the tremendous financial impact the Guard has in more than 90 local communities where they have a daily presence."

The DMVA and the Guard employ about 22,000 people throughout Pennsylvania, including about 2,000 full-time federal and state employees at DMVA's headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County.

The department is unique in that it has a dual mission. It provides quality service to the state's 1.1 million veterans and their families by operating a network of assistance programs, the Scotland School for Veterans' Children and six veterans' homes; and also oversees and supports the 19,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, said the Guard's economic influence should continue to increase significantly in the years ahead because of the unprecedented number of construction projects planned at the Guard headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap and throughout the state. The community projects are tied to the conversion of the Guard's 28th Infantry Division to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

This spring alone, the Guard plans to break ground on new readiness centers and field maintenance facilities in the communities of Bradford, Elizabethtown, Carlisle and Easton. The four projects represent a $60 million investment, with many of those dollars going back into those communities.

The Bradford facility, which will be located at the Bradford Regional Airport in McKean County, is an example of a Guard project that is expected to spark additional business and economic development activity in the region. The Bradford Airport Authority actively pursed the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in offering 23 acres of airport land for a new readiness center. Groundbreaking for the $8.3 million project is scheduled for April 4.

DMVA significantly impacted the Erie County economy last year when it invested $8.5 million in the form of a new dementia/Alzheimer's unit at the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie.

"These are exciting times for us as we forge new partnerships with our neighbors across the state," said Gen. Wright. "The next few years will continue to see an unprecedented number of construction projects that will greatly benefit the Pennsylvania National Guard and local communities."

DMVA's five-year construction program includes 11 new readiness centers, the renovation and upgrade of 14 existing centers, and the construction of six new field-maintenance facilities.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania National Guard continue to look for qualified employees. DMVA is currently seeking nurses for its six veterans' homes and is offering up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness for qualified applicants. Service in the National Guard can include free tuition, signing bonuses, college loan forgiveness, and much more.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, call 1-800-GO-GUARD; for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, call 1-800-532-0858; or for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, call 717-861-6993.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania National Guard "2007 Economic Impact in Communities" report can be viewed online at www.dmva.state.pa.us.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Chuck Ardo

717-783-1116

Kevin Cramsey, DMVA

717-861-8352

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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