Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, are calling
attention to the impact that Capital Region military bases have on the local economy.
Capital Region military bases have an impact of more than $1 billion to the economy, the lawmakers say. As part of Capital Region Military Day, legislators, representatives from the United Military Affairs Council and personnel from Capital Region bases stressed that these units serve the community goes far beyond safety and security.
Tedisco says that it is vital to understand importance of these bases to the region.
“We know that over the years in the past- I think that’s why we’ve worked so hard to put together this UMAC team, to be ready if the federal government decides that they want to pick and choose.” Tedisco said. “We have to be ready to make a case and I believe we can make a tremendous case for all of these facilities.”
The four capital region military bases are the Nuclear Power Training Comman at Ballston Spa; the Naval Support Activity in Saratoga Springs; the Watervliet Arsenal; and Stratton Air National Guard Base/109th Airlift Wing. In some cases, there are few or no other bases in the nation or world that complete the same missions.
Santabarbara says that the three bases in Schenectady County alone generate more than 1,000 jobs. The men and women who work at the bases contribute to local economy through the purchase of goods and services, housing and supporting local business.
Many of these individuals also support community development by being cub scout troop leaders, little league coaches, big brothers and big sisters and other community service.
“The dedicated members of our nation’s armed forces who call the Capital Region home are pillars of our communities and provide a great example to all of us,” Santabarbara said.
