Governor's Military Council Gains Support in Effort to Help Military Communities

Governor's Military Council Gains Support in Effort to Help Military Communities

Federal grant to assist in planning for influx of military families

As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, Kansas is expected to become home to nearly 13,000 additional military and civilian personnel.

To help communities accommodate this growth, last year Governor Kathleen Sebelius formed the Governor's Military Council, and that council has now been awarded a grant from the federal government to assist in its work.

The Department of Defense's Office of Economic Adjustment awarded Kansas a grant of $180,000, which the state has matched with an additional $20,000.

"We're very eager to welcome these new families to Kansas, which is why we've been working with communities to make sure they're ready for the influx. This grant will help us as we open the doors of our state to America's service men and women, along with their families," said Sebelius.

Former Lt. Governor John Moore, Wichita, serves as chairman of the council and John Armbrust, Manhattan, serves as executive director. Both men served in similar positions on the Governor's Strategic Military Planning Commission, which spearheaded efforts to protect and grow Kansas bases during the 2005 BRAC process.

"Kansas has been at the forefront in proactively working to accommodate the results of BRAC related decisions in Kansas," Moore said. "This grant was sought after to enhance the state's capacity to assist local communities, businesses and workers as well to stimulate cooperation between statewide and local partners."

The Governor's Military Council is a partnership between the administration, key legislators, all members of the Kansas congressional delegation and key business and military leaders representing the communities near the military installations of Forbes Field, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, McConnell Air Force Base, the Smoky Hill Weapons Range and the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant.

The 27-member council fosters cooperation between the installations and private and public sectors, and pursues initiatives to enhance the quality of life for all military personnel, active, reserve and retired. The council also assists in the development, coordination and execution of strategy required by any future change in missions proposed by the Department of Defense.

http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2007/nr-07-0223b.htm