Alaska Army facilities garner $49 million from recovery act

Seventy-Two projects bring total to over $245 million

Vital army installations in Alaska, including facilities in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Bethel, have been awarded $49.4 million for infrastructure improvement projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Senator Mark Begich announced today. This funding is in addition to $197 million previously announced by the Department of Defense.

The funding, designated for Fort Greely, Fort Richardson, Fort Wainwright, the Bethel Armory and National Guard Bryant Airfield at Fort Richardson, focuses on improvements to military housing, maintenance facilities, office repairs, lighting, roads and headquarters buildings. This allocation is through the Army Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects.

"With our military engaged in essential service both home and abroad, it is vitally important that we provide our servicemen and women with the best facilities and equipment," Begich said. "This funding will help ensure that Alaska's military installations are in top shape and ready to serve our soldiers and airmen the same way they bravely serve our country."

Begich was the only member of Alaska's congressional to vote for the Recovery Act, which is providing or protecting about 8,000 Alaska jobs with the estimated $1 billion it is bringing to Alaska.

Fort Richardson in Anchorage will receive $16,888,000 for 36 projects, including weatherization efforts, barracks upgrades and vehicle upgrades. In addition to these projects the NG Bryant Airfield located at Fort Richardson, under command of the Army National Guard, will receive $370,000 for two projects. These projects are to modernize and replace the facility's Unit Training and Equipment Site.

Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks will receive $28,227,000 for 24 projects, including heating and ventilation renovations to the Fort's welcome center, garrison headquarters and an expansion to the installation's firefighting facilities.

Fort Greely in Delta Junction will receive $3,692,000 for nine projects, including weatherization efforts, transportation upgrades and a fitness facility upgrade. Fort Greely is an integral part of the intermediate ground-based missile defense system. It hosts 20 long-range interceptor missiles designed to track and destroy incoming threats.

The Bethel Armory will receive $170,000 to install energy efficient lighting at the Army Aviation Operating Facility. This facility is under the command of the Army National Guard.

"The United States Army and Army National Guard have an integral presence in Alaska and make a vital contribution to the defense of Alaska and to the Alaskan economy," Begich said. "These projects through the Recovery Act will continue the longstanding relationship between the United States Army and the Alaskan workforce by bringing much needed jobs to Alaska's urban and rural centers."

For more information on these programs, go to www.recovery.gov.

From a Mark Begich press release: