Army depot needs community support

Les Minor, columnist
Les Minor, columnist

In recent days, a couple
of good reports have been
dispatched from our military-industrial complex
just west of here. It is from
the activity generated at
the hips of Hooks and New Boston, Texas, that a big slice of the regional economy springs forth. And seemingly, more activity is on the
way.

First, if Congress and
the president approve the federal budget, one of Red
River Army Depot's tenants, Defense Logistics Agency,
is in line to get funding for a $45 million warehouse.
Getting a budget passed is no easy task nowadays and is by no means a certainty. Neither is getting money for this major project. It's a big
deal.

Inside and outside components of the warehouse
would total more than 550,000 square feet, and it would house an array of parts, supplies
and vehicles. These would be distributed through DLA's network to military bases, because that's what it does. Getting this warehouse in play would reinforce what we all know: Red River Army Depot has an important role in supplying this man's
army.

This also would be a stabilizing factor, helping to keep the depot vital and current. (It's difficult to invest in a place and talk about closing it at the same time, although our friends in the defense department have been known to do that from time to time.)

Second, the defense company Expal USA, is expanding to the East Campus of TransAmerica Center on property that used to be part of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant. They already had a small footprint there of 5,000 square feet, but are adding 80,000 more square feet, which will translate to almost 70 new jobs.

The company is in the business of taking apart, recycling and repurposing ammunition. They are here because the army depot is here, and existing infrastructure, along with other businesses that support the depot and, at times, each other. A high level of synergy bubbles around the base that a lot of folks either don't realize or take for granted.

While it's common knowledge the workforce at RRAD checks in at about 5,000, as it has for years, what is less apparent is the ripple effect those jobs and the related economic output have on the region.

The Military Affairs Committee will tell you almost another 10,000 jobs have an indirect connection to our depot. They will tell you if Red River were to be closed and the ancillary business moved away, about 12 percent of the jobs in a 50-mile radius would be gone. That's a big hit.

For comparison, consider the $1 billion paper mill that will soon be built 75 miles northeast of Texarkana near Arkadelphia, Ark. To get the company to commit, state and local sources had to provide more than $100 million in incentives. That's $400,000 apiece for the 250 jobs that will be created.

RRAD's annual impact on the regional economy is roughly figured at $2 billion. We're already well ahead of the game.

And we're ahead because a core of local leaders work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it that way.

Every time federal defense gurus make a run at closing the depot-as they did most recently in 1995 and 2005-and are fought off, the community routinely takes a deep, collective sigh of relief. They put the threat quickly behind them, the assumption being, if we are not in a crisis mode, we can slip into a comfort
zone.

That has never been the case. Indeed, keeping Red River Army Depot operating and essential is a day after day, year after year, decade after decade job-done by local citizens. Educating the folks on Capital Hill on the importance of the depot is a never-ending job.

Money is being solicited and donated by businesses and banks continually to support lobbying efforts meant to protect the depot and find ways to expand its missions. These funds are provided by local firms who understand that if Red River were to close, the effect on the region would be devastating.

To them, this is an investment not in the army depot's future, but in their own.

And they can use some help. So you might give them an ear when they come
calling.

Good news is great when we can get it, but we can't depend on it. That's why vigilance and having a well-funded, active strategy for the rest of time is critical.

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