BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill authorizing the state to borrow up to $177 million for improvements to the state’s military bases.
The measure approved by lawmakers earlier this month would include $9 million in immediate funding for military and civilian runway upgrades at the Barnes Air National Guard Base and adjacent Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.
The bill also authorizes nearly $3 million for energy and communications upgrades at Hanscom Air Force Base.
An additional $100,000 would allow for the relocation of the National Guard’s Military Museum from Worcester to Concord.
The remaining $165 million authorized in the bill would be for projects in future years at the state’s six military installations: Barnes Air National Guard Base; Fort Devens; Hanscom Air Force Base; Joint Base Cape Cod; Natick Soldier Systems Center; and Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.
State officials say the bases provide about 46,500 jobs and generate more than $14 billion in economic activity for Massachusetts.
The projects are designed to expand public and private sector growth for the cities and towns surrounding each installation and enhance both the military installation’s value in support of national and domestic security goals.
“Our military bases offer incredible assets, help fuel our economy and are an important contributor to our country’s national security,” said Patrick, Co-Chair of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. “This authorization will send a clear message to the Pentagon that we are serious about promoting and protecting our defense communities and our one-of-a-kind intellectual resources.”
The $12 million for FY 2014 supports three projects enhancing the military mission and industry growth at Hanscom Air Force Base and Barnes Air National Guard Base, and allows for the expansion of veterans’ services in central Massachusetts:
· $2.9 million for energy and communications upgrades to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Enterprise Integration Facility (CEIF) at Hanscom Air Force Base to realistically test and integrate advanced software, cyber security and network applications and expand private sector and research and development opportunities. The CEIF serves as a secure, scalable environment for developing, integrating, and testing today’s cutting edge technologies and provides a secure infrastructure for systems.
· $9 million for Phases I and II of the joint civilian and military Runway Infrastructure Project at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport and Barnes Air National Guard Base. The Commonwealth’s $9 million from this legislation leveraged $13.4 million in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Guard Bureau, as well as $250,000 from the City of Westfield. The completion of the runway and associated projects, such as new taxiing space and utility and electrical improvements, fills a critical infrastructure need for this busy, regional airfield used by civilians, industry and the military, and brings opportunities for continued economic growth to the region.
· $100,000 to close the National Guard’s Worcester Armory and relocate the National Guard’s Military Museum to Concord, allowing the non-profit Veterans Inc. to expand housing and workforce development services for veterans in central Massachusetts.
“Hanscom Air Force base is committed to supporting our joint warfighters in the most innovative, effective, and efficient ways possible. We see our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the Commonwealth and with other regional assets as helping us do just that,” said Colonel Lester A. Weilacher, Commander of the 66th Air Base Group at Hanscom Air Force Base. “Our expectation is that the bond bill will further enable these partnerships and collaborative efforts.”
“The state’s military installations play a critical role in the overall health of the economy, contributing billions of dollars and thousands of jobs,” said Senate President Therese Murray. “It is important that we continue to work to protect the future of our bases and this legislation makes a strong commitment to supporting the advancement and sustainability of the military bases in the Commonwealth.”
“This legislation ensures that we have sustainable plans to improve military bases, an effort which should engender economic growth and give military personnel they opportunities they so rightly deserve,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “I’m proud that Massachusetts leads the nation in supporting our military institutions and personnel. I thank the Patrick administration, Senate President Murray, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation and all who work to make this goal a reality.”
Any future investments will be made within the Patrick administration’s debt affordability policy, which has allowed for an unprecedented level of capital investment in the Commonwealth while maintaining the highest bond rating in the state’s history.
The bill designates the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force to continue the long-term effort to study potential projects that benefit the military and the Commonwealth. The Task Force coordinates the efforts of government, industry, and academia and seeks to address education, workforce training, infrastructure improvements, environmental/utility matters, veterans’ services, and housing and transportation issues related to the missions and people at Massachusetts’ military installations. The Task Force is co-chaired by Patrick, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and former Senator William “Mo” Cowan.
“This bond bill will enable the Commonwealth to invest in projects that would benefit both the military’s mission at Massachusetts’ six bases and the Commonwealth’s public sector, while also supporting the $14 billion economic impact the defense industry has in Massachusetts,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas “This investment sends a loud and clear message to the Pentagon that Massachusetts is an enthusiastic and willing partner to help them address our nation’s most pressing challenges. As the sole member of the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation to sit on the Armed Service Committee, and co-chair of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, I have made it a priority to highlight the extraordinary work being done at these installations and thank the Governor and our partners at the Statehouse for their support.”
“The funding ensured by this bill will help maintain the long-term mission of Massachusetts’ military bases and fuel our economy by creating new jobs and investing in much needed infrastructure projects, which will benefit the communities surrounding bases across the state,” said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey. “I applaud Governor Patrick for his leadership ensuring support for the vital missions performed by military units stationed within the Commonwealth.”
The Task Force is currently conducting comprehensive energy assessments at the Commonwealth’s military bases in order to identify and develop energy solutions that lower base operating costs and enhance energy security. These efforts include studying complementary use ideas to create jobs and reduce base operating costs at Westover Air Reserve Base, funding a Town of Natick road infrastructure project to benefit the Natick Soldier Systems Center and private development, finalizing an ongoing land exchange to enable an important military construction effort at Hanscom, funding a one-of-a-kind acquisition management graduate program through the University of Massachusetts designed to support Hanscom personnel and many other efforts which leverage existing Congressional authorizations and Department of Defense guidance to partner with state government. This bond bill, and each of these initiatives, complements the Patrick administration’s strong commitment to the more than 500,000 veterans and military families who live in Massachusetts.
Additionally, this bill:
· Expands the mandate of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force to encourage partnerships with other New England states in support of regional efforts to enhance installations in Massachusetts, and directs the Task Force to consider the establishment of “military enterprise zones” to support existing installations, encourage private investment and job creation, and diversify and revitalize local economies near installations without encroaching on military property.
· De-authorizes $261 million from the 2005 military bond bill, decreasing Massachusetts’ outstanding authorizations by $84 million.
· Allows MassDevelopment to provide utility services to military installations if pursued by an installation.
· Assigns MassDevelopment as the agency to oversee and implement military improvement and expansion projects in partnership with military installations.
· Authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer a parcel of land at Otis Air National Guard Base to MassDOT in order to expand non-passenger freight rail service on Cape Cod.
“The Military Bond Bill provides the resources that will strengthen partnerships between local, state and federal governments, contribute to the Commonwealth’s economic vitality, preserve our military heritage and enhance services for our honored veterans,” said Major General L. Scott Rice, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “I thank the Military Task Force, MassDevelopment and all our key partners for their tireless efforts supporting this initiative.”
“The Commonwealth’s military installations are a vital part of our economy, and MassDevelopment is pleased to partner with the Task Force and the six bases on economic development and expansion projects,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “I would like to thank Governor Patrick and the Legislature for their hard work and leadership on this bill.”
“As a Massachusetts-based company, Rectrix Aviation recognized early on the leadership of Governor Patrick’s administration, the FAA and the City of Westfield,” said Rectrix Aviation President and CEO Richard Cawley. “This funding is critical to generate new economic growth and investment across the region. We are thrilled that the Barnes runway project was completed with such strong support that makes us not only proud to invest in Westfield Massachusetts, but other Massachusetts airports and infrastructure as well.”
“Massachusetts is home to leading technology resources across government, industry and academia that directly contribute to our nation’s strengths, particularly in securing our nation against cyber threats,” said Charlie Benway, Executive Director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center. “Governor Patrick’s leadership and the Commonwealth’s substantive commitment to Massachusetts military installations, especially the investment in Hanscom Air Force Base’s CEIF, paves the way for public-private collaborations across multiple domains to leverage these resources and deliver a multiplier effect in securing our nation in cyber.”
