May 13, 2005
May 13, 2005
Will Fight Losses at Battle Creek ANG Base; Selfridge
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm praised U.S. Department of Defense recommendations today that add 125 jobs overall to the state’s military operations, but questioned decisions that would close the Air National Guard (ANG) base at Battle Creek and result in job losses at Selfridge in Harrison Township.
“Today’s recommendations are good news for Michigan – we’ve proved our point that Michigan’s military installations are critical to the future of this nation’s homeland security,” said Granholm. “We are disappointed, however, by the decisions that will cost jobs in Battle Creek and in Harrison Township. We will fight vigorously and pursue every avenue to maintain the vital work in Michigan.”
The Detroit Arsenal, which houses the Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, is one of the Army’s largest weapon system and vehicle R&D organizations and will see an increase of 647 positions. In addition, the Hart-Doyle-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek will remain open. The Battle Creek Air National Guard station, however, is slated to lose 274 positions. The Air National Guard base at Selfridge will see an additional 84, though Army activity at Selfridge is reduced by 300 jobs. The Navy Reserve Center in Marquette is slated to close for a loss of seven jobs, and the Parisian U.S. Army Reserve Center in Lansing will close, sending 25 jobs to Battle Creek.
“I have been in contact with Attorney General Cox, and we are committed to a legal review and challenge if necessary. The Air National Guard base is critical to our homeland security functions,” Granholm added.
Over the next four months, the independent Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission will visit the bases suggested for closure or realignment, hold public hearings, and conduct its own analysis. The commission will then vote to accept, reject, or change the recommendation of each base on the list and deliver its final report to the President by September 8. If he approves, Congress will have 45 legislative days to reject or approve the list in its entirety. The process must be completed and voted on by Congress no later than April 15, 2006.
In April 2004, Granholm created the Task Force to Protect Michigan’s Military Facilities to help the state’s congressional delegation and local leaders prevent the closure of Michigan military bases and protect thousands of jobs. In March, Granholm met with Department of Defense officials at the Pentagon to make the case for Michigan’s facilities and the vital role they serve in the nation’s defense.
Granholm said the task force will meet on Monday to develop the state’s response to the Department of Defense recommendations and formulate a strategy to convince BRAC commissioners of the need to keep the projected 274 jobs in Battle Creek and 216 at Selfridge.
“The fight isn’t over yet,” she said. “Michigan’s congressional leaders, task force members, community representatives from Battle Creek, and I will continue to do everything in our power to see that this mistake is corrected and that the Air National Guard base and the jobs it provides stay in Battle Creek.”
Granholm praised members of the task force as well as Michigan U. S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow for their cooperative work to protect base jobs.
“Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, and our task force worked hard and together to give Michigan a loud voice before the BRAC Commission. It appears their work paid off for Michigan.”
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