Recently the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce gave $3,000 to the Red River Lone Star Support Committee.
The committee helps organize and support efforts in regional education and advocacy-specifically around Red River Army Depot-for long-term economic and employment growth in Miller and Bowie counties.
"Following BRAC '05, many of the community leaders involved in organizing that effort took the remaining funds and established a non-lobbying information and advocacy group to advocate for Bowie and Miller county interests," said Jerry Sparks, economic development director for Texarkana, Texas.
"We are supported by local funding provided by businesses, local governments, individuals and other entities. We support local military installations and the employment they are involved with."
Sparks mentions the city of Texarkana, Texas, as being an active participant in supporting the committee financially as well as in other ways.
"Our efforts have, among other things, served to raise the profile of Red River Army Depot," he said. "People in Washington are now increasingly aware and supportive of our depot, one of the primary employers in our area."
Sparks said that although Red River has reduced its workforce by about 900 workers, things seem to have stabilized.
"The workforce is set for the time being. No more workforce reductions are expected at this time."
Sparks said there are developments to watch in the near future. An announcement is expected for the AMP-V, a new vehicle family the Army is developing. RRAD and Anniston Army Depot in Bynum, Alabama, are the top two contenders for this mission.
"And I believe we are the top contender between the two posts," Sparks said. "With the missions RRAD already has, we are set up in both equipment and technical expertise to take on this mission with the easiest transition. There should be an announcement about the development of the AMP-V mission this November. If it comes through for RRAD, it will potentially be a contribution to stabilizing and even growing the RRAD workforce for the next couple of decades."