State passes military bond bill

  • Published
BOSTON --  Governor Deval Patrick last week signed a bill that authorizes funding for infrastructure projects in partnership with Massachusetts military installations and the Massachusetts National Guard.

These projects are designed to expand public and private sector growth for the cities and towns surrounding each installation and enhance the military installation's value in support of national and domestic security goals, according to a release from the Governor's office.

"Our military bases offer incredible assets, help fuel our economy and are an important contributor to our country's national security," said Governor Patrick, co-chair of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force.

The six military installations in Massachusetts include Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield; Fort Devens; Hanscom Air Force Base; Joint Base Cape Cod; Natick Soldier Systems Center; and Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. These installations account for a total economic impact of $14.2 billion and more than 46,500 Massachusetts jobs.

The bill immediately authorizes a total investment of $12 million. It also gives the Commonwealth options to fund up to $165 million more in future years to expand missions, create and retain jobs, and generate economic activity on or around Massachusetts military installations.

The $12 million for FY 2014 supports three projects including one intended to enhance an important mission at Hanscom. It would provide $2.9 million for energy and communications upgrades to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Enterprise Integration Facility (CEIF).

"Hanscom Air Force base is committed to supporting our joint warfighters in the most innovative, effective, and efficient ways possible. We see our ongoing partnership and collaboration with the Commonwealth and with other regional assets as helping us do just that," said Colonel Lester A. Weilacher, commander of the 66th Air Base Group at Hanscom. "Our expectation is that the bond bill will further enable these partnerships and collaborative efforts."

Ongoing collaboration runs the gamut from infrastructure and energy projects to mission enhancements, including those in the cyber realm.

"Massachusetts is home to leading technology resources across government, industry and academia that directly contribute to our nation's strengths, particularly in securing our nation against cyber threats," said Charlie Benway, executive director of the Advanced Cyber Security Center. "Governor Patrick's leadership and the Commonwealth's substantive commitment to Massachusetts military installations, especially the investment in Hanscom's CEIF, pave the way for public-private collaborations across multiple domains to leverage these resources and deliver a multiplier effect in securing our nation in cyber."