Department of Development | News Room

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION TO SAVE DEFENSE JOBS
Announcement Made During First Meeting of Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2004

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that the Ohio Department of Development will provide an additional $1 million in grants to help Ohio communities retain local military bases. The announcement was made during the initial meeting of the All-Ohio Task Force to Save Defense Jobs.

"Ohio's military men and women are vital to our country and to our communities," said Taft. "The $2.5 million in state funds we are distributing will help ensure these communities can be prepared to defend Ohio's military jobs."

In January, the Department of Development awarded five communities, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lima and Youngstown, a share of $1.5 million in grants to help prepare for the federal government’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. According to State Development Director Bruce Johnson, the additional $1 million announced by Taft today will satisfy each community’s initial request and will allow a new grant to be awarded to the Mansfield community.

Non-Profit Organization Total



  • Greater Cleveland Partnership $300,000
    Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce $500,000
    Dayton Development Coalition $1,000,000
    Allen County Economic Development Group $160,960
    Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber $492,300


  • Richland Economic Development Corp $46,740



This is the first time Ohio has given money to local communities to prepare for the BRAC review. It will help local communities with the research and preparation of response plans to the US Department of Defense BRAC 2005 process. In general, the recipients indicated the money will be used to develop baseline assessments, create community coalitions and effectively communicate the strengths of each base. Each applicant also indicated that the grant money would leverage additional local dollars.

Nationwide, since 1998, Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commissions have recommended the closure of 125 major military facilities and 225 minor military bases and installations, and the realignment in operations and functions of 145 others. In 2001, Congress authorized a new round of military base closings for 2005 that is expected to save more than $3 billion and close up to 25% of US military installations.

Today marked the first meeting of the All-Ohio Task Force to Save Defense Jobs, an initiative announced by Taft in his State of the State speech. The Goals of Task Force are to; provide visible and active leadership on behalf of the state during the Department of Defense’s BRAC process; assess and advocate for any additional funding for state and local campaigns that may be needed; and advocate with the Department of Defense, the executive branch and the Congress in support of the local communities. The Task Force, comprised of community leaders from around the state, heard from Governor Taft and listened to presentations from the communities receiving grants. They discussed Task Force structure and support and started working on a framework for helping ensure Ohio is prepared for the BRAC process.

“The All Ohio Task Force shows the commitment state and local officials have in working together to save Ohio jobs,” said Johnson, who also serves as the head of Taft’s Jobs Cabinet. “Much of the federal government’s focus will be on consolidation of functions, and we want to not only protect jobs, but also position Ohio to gain jobs through the process.”

The All Ohio Task Force



  • Miles C. Durfey, Major General USAF (Ret.) –Task Force Chairman
    Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, President and CEO, COSI, Columbus and member of the Ohio Aerospace and Defense Advisory Council
    Carol Caruso, Vice President, Greater Cleveland Partnership
    David J. Berger, Mayor, City of Lima, representing the Allen County Economic Development Group
    Mike Greene, President, Richland Economic Development Corp.
    Reid Dulberger, Executive Vice President, Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber
    Harley E. Rouda Jr., CEO and Managing Partner, Real Living/HER, representing the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
    Dennis Samic, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.), Miami Valley Economic Development Projects, Inc.


  • Stephen M. Koper, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Director Public Relations, Office of the Ohio Adjutant General



Chief Task Force Advisor - Lester L. Lyles, General, USAF (Ret.)



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