The following development organizations are recipients of Expansion Solutions Magazine’s 2008 Awards of Excellence in the *** Defense *** industry category. These awards recognize organizations who have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of their areas -- by successfully recruiting, retaining and growing businesses. The winners below are listed in alphabetical order and are reflective of our top 5 picks.
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The U. S. Army Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Program is a government program designed to treat its ammunition production facilities and surrounding real estate as assets rather than liabilities. ARMS allows the commercial marketplace to help in the reduction of the cost of Army operations and production. This program has been responsible for a cumulative economic benefit of over $6.5 billion and has created or sustained over 2700 jobs at the Government sites that have participated in the program. The success of the program is a result of the utilization of creative techniques and tools to attract commercial tenants to military industrial production facilities. In addition, the ARMS program offers incentive packages and the use of state-of-the-art cooperative marketing techniques. Pendulum Management Company is the National Marketing Support Contractor for the ARMS program.
One example that demonstrates the effectiveness of the ARMS Program is MAST Technology, Inc., a tenant at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. MAST Technology came to Lake City in 2001 with two employees, great confidence in their product and previous manufacturing experience. Today MAST Technology has expanded into four facilities and employs more than 130 workers making munitions-related products that benefit the U. S. Army directly. Projected growth plans indicate that MAST Technology will be a successful supplier of small caliber ammunition to the soldiers around the world guarding the U. S. Embassies. In addition to these Department of State customers, MAST sees a role for their business supporting the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security according to Gerald Pickens, President and CEO of MAST Technology, Inc.
ARMS’ solid economic impact has translated into lower overhead costs for the Army which directly impacts the future of our soldiers and the strength of our nation’s defense.
Fayetteville-Cumberland County, North Carolina is an urban center of nearly 500,000 persons, including the service members at Fort Bragg, the "Home of the 82nd Airborne and Special Operations Forces." As a community, they have supported the men and women serving the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, the US Army Special Operations Command and the US Army Parachute Team (the Golden Knights). The strong bond between the community and Fort Bragg has served to enhance the relationship with defense and homeland security companies who support the installation’s mission and the United States. Six thousand soldiers transition out of the armed forces annually and a large number stay in the area taking jobs in local companies. Highly-disciplined and highly-skilled, these talented individuals strengthen the existing labor pool. Consequently, there are plenty of opportunities for new and existing companies seeking new employees.
As a community, Fayetteville-Cumberland County strives to provide the space companies need. And, so, a new military business park was created -- the All American Business Center. The Center’s primary tenant will be additional defense companies moving to the area to connect with the United States Army Forces Command. The Center will open in the Spring of 2009 -- three years ahead of the extension of I-295, the outer belt connecting the post and Fayetteville to I-95. The Center is a key addition to the facilities already available to meet the needs of these companies. As the needs of the military have grown more sophisticated so have the technology companies in Fayetteville who support them. Significant growth has been seen in tech-related companies as well as R&D in numerous other fields. To capitalize on this progress, the All American Defense Corridor’s team is working daily to enhance the training and educational opportunities – as well as to increase collaboration across disciplines.
Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
Yuma, AZ
Once a small farming community, this border town is one of the nation's fastest-growing areas. This small desert town has been ranked number six on the list as one of the Best Performing Cities (out of 124 for job growth and economic performance) by the Milken Institute. So what is the driver for bringing this small town national recognition? The U.S. armed forces. The Department of Defense runs a testing facility, U.S. Yuma Proving Ground, near the city of Yuma that encompasses over 1300 square miles of land. It is the primary U.S. test site for desert warfare research and is the single largest employer of civilians in the area. It is one of the largest consumers of local goods and services, significantly contributing to the Arizona economy. In addition, federal funding is provided to the local community to supplement educational costs for dependents of civilian and military employees.
The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Yuma, is said to be the busiest air station in the Marine Corps, the third busiest in the Naval Service and a is also a major contributor to the Yuma economy. It is the largest tactical aviation training range utilized by the Marine Corps. MCAS is also the only joint-use air station in the Marine Corps. Approximately 50 aviation units deploy to train at Yuma's 2.8 million-acre range complex each year. These deployments range from a few days to a few weeks and bring 13,000 personnel and 1,000 aircraft to Yuma annually. The Marine Corps and Yuma County have also made an agreement - MCAS provides all the air traffic control, crash crew services and security, and maintains the runways and taxiways for both MCAS and Yuma International Airport.
As it meets the challenges of the new century, Yuma Proving Ground and the Yuma Test Center will play a vital role in partnering with other government agencies, private industry and academic organizations to enhance the technical excellence and high quality of America's military arsenal.
Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Professional Services and High Technology Company business men and women are talking about Virginia Beach and it is easy to see why. Not only is it one of the best places to live in America; it’s also one of the best places to work and do business. Virginia Beach is the 42nd most populous city in the United States with a population of 440,908. The Virginia Beach MSA is the 34th largest in the Country encompassing 1,664,349 citizens. With a location along the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, travelers and business people alike will find a lifestyle that is rich with recreational, educational, cultural and professional opportunities.
Virginia Beach and the MSA also have one of the largest concentrations of military installations in the country. The Virginia Beach MSA is often referred to as the “Pentagon of the South” and it makes perfect sense. This area is a natural magnet for department of defense-related industries as well as homeland security, modeling and simulation, engineering, information technology and computer hardware / software employers seeking a pool of highly skilled, educated, motivated, productive and available workers. With all it has to offer, it’s little wonder that a wide variety of national as well as international business and industry announced over half a billion dollars in relocations and expansions to Virginia Beach in the past two years alone. |
