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SSMCP 4th Public Forum

SSMCP 4th Annual Public Forum - register today

You are invited to the 4th Annual Public Forum of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP).  This no-cost event (thanks to the sponsors) is open to anyone wanting to learn more about federal, state and local priorities related to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  The Forum will be held Thursday, November 12 from 7:30 -11:00 am at the McChord Club.

Program:
The SSMCP 4th Annual Forum will feature:

• JBLM Installation Commander Colonel Morgan, 
• I Corps Leaders, 
• Congressman Denny Heck, 
• WA State Legislators concerned about veteran and military issues, 

... and

• news from the WA Department of Commerce 
• news from SSMCP 

... about:

• the 2015 Community and Business Survey* conducted around JBLM, 
• the 2015 JBLM Joint Land Use Study (see article here), and 
• the new Washington Defense Supply Chain Modeling Tool.  

You don’t want to miss this meeting!

PLUS – immediately after the Forum, a tour of the Western Air Defense Sector will be open to the first 50 attendees who register for it.  This is a private tour not open to the general public.

SSMCP 4th Annual Public Forum - register today!

Forum on Plan for an Unstable Defense Future

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Military Affairs Committee

Date & Time:  Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | Tacoma 98421
Register: Register Online

Event Sponsor:

The event fee will be complimentary, hosted by our sponsor for invited Military Personnel who reserve with Janice Hutchins, (253) 683-4882 or janiceh@tacomachamber.org


AGENDA:
The Current State of Military Affairs in WA & How We Plan for an Unstable Future

Introduction:  Kristine’ Reeves,
Governor's Sector Lead & Director | Military & Defense Sector
Program Director | Defense Industry Adjustment Program
Executive Director | Washington Military Alliance

1. DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant update by
James Evans, Program Manager, Defense Industry Adjustment, Department of Commerce

Military downsizing, future of the Army and force realignments are all making the news, but what about impacts to the defense businesses around the base supporting billions in the state economy?  Join us for a presentation on the state's efforts to “map” the DOD supply chain in WA, better prepare for defense budget cuts and support local communities.

2. Military compatible land use by
Jeff Wilson, Director, & Deanah Watson, Growth Management Services, Department of Commerce & Xandre Chateaubriand, Policy Advisory, Governor Inslee

Think JBLM is the only base in WA or the only county challenged by encroachment or incompatible land use?  Interested to see how other states are tackling this challenge or how WA is needs your help to do the same here?  Join us for an update on the report going to the legislature focused on taking steps to address this issue.


NEXT ACTIVITIES
November 12 John Anderson Military Citizen of Year with Rotary Club #8

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Visit the “Tacoma-Pierce Co. Veteran & Business Service” Facebook page.  Like the page to stay informed of workplace opportunities for transitioning vets and vets as well as current information.

JBLM Corridor Mobile Traffic Info

For drivers who travel through the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) corridor, a new traffic flow map showing Interstate 5 and arterial roads is now available to help them make informed route decisions.

In an effort to give military personnel, base employees and area residents a way to gauge traffic flow around JBLM entrance and exit gates along I-5, the Washington State Department of Transportation worked cooperatively with JBLM officials to install a traffic detection system that uses anonymous Bluetooth technology to show real time traffic conditions. The Bluetooth data are displayed on the map alongside the I-5 radar detection system.

“Military personnel can now see at a glance which gates have backups, and choose a less congested gate,” said WSDOT Freeway Operations Manager Tony Leingang. “Our goal is to have JBLM traffic enter the freeway more evenly dispersed along the corridor, which helps I-5 traffic.”

The new traffic flow map, which is also available on the WSDOT mobile app, includes sections of Steilacoom-DuPont Road and Center Drive in DuPont, giving residents a new way to know which ramp is less congested.

In addition to traffic flow maps, WSDOT offers many tools and resources to help drivers such as WSDOT’s travel alerts, construction update webpages, and the WSDOT mobile app, which includes statewide traffic cameras, travel alerts, flow maps and more.

Smart phone users only need to type in the term “WSDOT” in Google Play or the App Store to download the WSDOT application to get this same information on your phone.

WMA Adopts Ops Plan

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ADC Forum Coming Aug. 20-21

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Gov Announces Formation of Subcabinet on Military Downsizing

Governor Inslee announces state agencies to focus on coordinated state response to potential military reductions.

Gov. Inslee today announced the formation of a Subcabinet on Military Downsizing to address possible reductions in military force in the state.

As a result of deep cuts outlined under sequestration and with a reduction in deployments after more than a decade of war, the United States military is reducing and realigning their forces throughout the country.

Active duty Army strength is expected to be reduced from 570,000 troops to less than 440,000 nationally. As part of this action, the Department of Defense (DOD) has considered potential reductions of up to 11,000 active duty soldiers and DOD civilian personnel at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

Though all branches of the Armed Services will likely be impacted, the Army has, to date, provided greater detail as to the potential for reductions. While the Army has made no official announcement yet, the state is preparing for a final decision for JBLM as early as late June.

“There is an all-hands-on-deck effort to make the case to DOD that Washington is the right place to keep service members, DOD civilians and their families,” said Inslee, who has already made the case to DOD that such deep cuts would have grievous effects on Washington’s economy. “It is also vital that we are prepared to respond to any reductions. This has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation challenge of a size and scope that will impact our communities and economy for years to come.”

“Our first priority, should a significant reduction take place, is ensuring impacted service members and civilians receive the education, training and employer connections necessary to find work quickly as they transition out of life at JBLM,” Inslee continued.

The subcabinet consists of eleven state agencies directly involved in the state’s downsizing response plan. Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender will chair the group. Its primary focus is to prepare a plan for scalable and appropriate responses related to workforce training and re-employment of transitioning service members, DOD civilians and contractors; mitigating impacts to the local communities around the installations; and preparing for economic development and revitalization opportunities in the event of a large scale force reduction.

The subcabinet comes as a result of a larger effort by the governor to focus on the military and defense community as a key economic sector in the state. Starting with the creation of the Military and Defense Sector at the state, along with reconvening and formalizing the Washington Military Alliance, the governor was instrumental in supporting the state’s effort to secure a $4.8 million DOD grant to focus on the state’s response to defense businesses in the wake of a reduction in defense spending.

The military and defense sector plays a significant role in Washington’s economy. In 2013, DOD spending in Washington topped $13.1 billion dollars and represented 3.2 percent of the state’s GDP. Washington ranks in the top ten states for military spending and is the 6th most military populated state. Of the 112,560 military personnel in Washington, over half reside in the South Puget Sound.

“Reduction of military forces would have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts in Washington, especially to the service members, DOD civilians and their families who call this place home,” Bonlender said. “Governor Inslee is committed to helping these military families and the communities they live in to transition successfully.”

The subcabinet will convene on June 17.

Washington Military Alliance Announces Interim Leadership Team

The Washington Military Alliance (WMA) named four members to serve as their executive leadership team while the organization moves forward as a chartered public-partnership formed to provide a single voice in representing the state’s interests as the U.S. Department of Defense proceeds with spending cuts and potential military base downsizing.

Rich Hadley, representing the Association of Washington Business; Tiffany Speir, South Sound Military and Communities Partnership; Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and John Powers, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance will lead the WMA. The leadership team was selected to represent each of the WMA’s four focus areas: industry, infrastructure, military community advocacy organizations, and economic Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) respectively.

“Washington’s military and defense industry represents some $16 billion to our state’s economy and tens of thousands of jobs. I applaud the leaders and members of our Washington Military Alliance for stepping up to promote and protect this vitally important sector,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “I’m confident that this is a powerful, effective public-private partnership to forge a successful path forward for every community that relies on our military assets.”

Convened in 2012 and formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding by Gov. Inslee in September 2014, WMA is a consortium of some 20 organizations with an economic or workforce interest in the state’s defense community. One of the first major accomplishments of this stakeholder group was a joint effort to secure a $4.3 million USDOD Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant to help assess and forecast statewide economic impact of Washington’s defense industry, and plan local assistance for potential defense industry adjustments.

Over the next six months, the WMA will draft bylaws, identify a sustainable organizational structure, and reach out to additional community stakeholders. The interim executive team was elected to serve until a permanent leadership team is selected through an approved bylaw process.

The group also appointed a committee of members to advise the Washington State Department of Commerce on activities related to the USDOD grant. The OEA grant advisory committee has 11 members: Troy McClelland (Economic Alliance Snohomish County), Robin Toth (Greater Spokane Inc.), Tiffany Scroggs (Thurston County Economic Development Council), Andrea Spencer (City of Bremerton), Sarah Lee (Puget Sound Regional Council), Tiffany Speir (South Sound Military Community Partnership), John Powers (Kitsap Economic Development Council), Rich Hadley (Association of Washington Business), Gary Brackett (Tacoma-Pierce Chamber of Commerce), Dave Hunt (Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition), and an open at-large seat.

About the Washington Military Alliance

Washington State is home to a diverse military industry, with varied military and defense missions, needs, and opportunities and a different stakeholder group for every aspect of an issue related to the military and defense community. It was important to the Governor to convene a group of diverse military community stakeholders to come together with one voice in response to potential cuts to defense spending.

In response, the Washington Military Alliance (WMA) was convened in late 2012 and formalized under Governor Jay Inslee in September, 2014. Find more information here.

Two States of Mind on MJ

The legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington has not contributed to an increase in the drug’s use at two of the Army’s largest installations, officials have concluded.

The rate of positive drug tests for marijuana among soldiers at Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord dropped since the two states legalized recreational marijuana, reported the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Marijuana use remains illegal under military code, and marijuana possession remains a federal crime.

State Receives DOD Grant for Military Downsizing Impact Preparation

Washington state has received a $4.3 million Department of Defense (DOD) grant to support local efforts to address the impact of potential downsizing of the state’s defense industry, Gov. Jay Inslee announced today.

The funding, from the DOD Office of Economic Adjustment’s Defense Industry Adjustment program, is matched by more than $500,000 in state and local dollars through the newly-formed Washington Military Alliance. The alliance was convened by the governor to prepare for military downsizing and includes a diverse group of military and defense stakeholders that represent industry, veteran, workforce and economic development interests across the state.

In 2012, Washington’s military industry accounted for 136,000 jobs and $15.7 billion in economic activity. There are more than 1,500 companies doing defense work in 35 of 39 Washington counties. Washington has the sixth largest military presence in the nation with personnel at bases and assets throughout the state. The industry supports military personnel as well as civilian jobs in cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and information and communications technology. 

“The military and defense sector is an economic backbone for many Washington communities and a driver of economic development statewide,” Inslee said. “As the DOD reduces military assets around the country, we want to make sure we are prepared and ready. By planning ahead, we will ensure Washington remains in a strong position to support our military and defense infrastructure, its diverse industry supply chain and the tens of thousands of jobs associated with this industry.”

The DOD grant will help implement a plan to minimize the impacts of military downsizing on regional businesses and communities. The plan, called the Washington State Military and Defense Sector Industry Adjustment Analysis and Strategy, was developed in collaboration with the Washington Military Alliance and the Department of Commerce. It will:

•    Assess the extent of the military and defense contracting footprint in the state,

•    Create a strategy and support system to reduce the exposure of regional businesses that are overly reliant on military and defense spending,

•    Support capability for technology transfers and advanced commercial spin-off of DOD programs to the private sector,

•    Generate a seamless transition to retrain and place dislocated defense contract employees in new jobs,

•    Study future opportunities for industry growth in both the public and private sector in order to meet defense needs, and

•    Focus on retaining and strengthening Washington state’s defense sector businesses and workforce.

Jorgensen Forge, a Tukwila company doing U.S. Navy contract work, is a prime example of the type of company that can benefit from the grant, said Kristiné Reeves, the state Department of Commerce’s military and defense sector lead.  The company, like several others in the state, has reduced its workforce as defense contracts have declined.

“This plan was fostered by the state’s Department of Commerce in response to community need and involves a partnership with eight local private organizations and several state agencies,’’ said Rich Hadley, president emeritus of Greater Spokane Inc. “This will touch all corners of Washington and demonstrates great public/private collaboration and a coordinated effort to keep this important industry an economic driver.”

“One core tenet of our statewide economic development and competitiveness strategy focuses on developing opportunities in key industry sectors,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “This is the same approach we take with the aerospace, life sciences and other key industries and provides the focus we need to ensure that Washington remains highly competitive for jobs today and well into the future.”

“As we work to represent four of the five largest defense communities in our state, the Puget Sound Regional Council is proud to partner with the Governor’s office, the state Department of Commerce and others to marshal our resources and strategically focus our efforts on understanding the defense supply chain in our state and then working to ensure that supply chain is prosperous and can grow for years to come,” said Pat McCarthy, president of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

About the Washington Military Alliance
The WMA provides a forum for collaboration in the state between local governments, military installations, state agencies and federal agencies. It serves as a policy advisor to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature and others. Inslee signed a memorandum of understanding with Washington’s congressional delegation and more than 30 military, business and economic development organizations from across the state.

The group was originally convened to collaborate on production of the Washington Military Alliance Report, which identified impacts to Washington’s military and defense infrastructure and develop initial recommendations in response to a possible Base Realignment and Closure Commission action. Inslee reconvened the group to ensure the state’s ongoing response and preparation during DOD deliberations.

For More Information about the military and defense sector or the Department of Defense grant, please contact Kristiné Reeves at 206-910-1624 or Kristine.reeves@commerce.wa.gov.

from Office of the Governor press release 9-25-14

September 11 Memorial in Washington

Governor Jay Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, September 11, 2014, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, September 12.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Please call (360) 239-1317 if you have any questions about this flag lowering.

WA Formalizes State-wide Military Alliance

Governor Jay Inslee’s official kick off of the Washington Military Alliance (WMA) marks an important victory for Washington’s military service members and families. While the WMA has existed for several years, today’s signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the Governor and key stakeholders across the state formalizes the WMA’s role.

The WMA is an alliance of business and community leaders, state legislators and agencies, and local elected officials formed to protect military and defense infrastructure and industry vitality and build and maintain military and defense partnerships statewide.  It’s being convened by the Governor and the entire Washington State Congressional Delegation.

Gov. Jay Inslee was joined by more than 20 military and economic develop- ment leaders for the launch of the Washington Military Alliance, a diverse group of military and defense stakeholders representing industry, infrastructure, veteran, workforce and economic development interests across the state. The governor is asking WMA to help the state prepare for the impacts of U.S. Department of Defense reductions in military assets.

“The military and defense sector is an economic backbone for many Washington communities and a priority industry sector for economic development statewide,” Gov. Inslee said. “As the DOD reduces military assets around the country, we want to make sure our communities and our military personnel are prepared and ready. By planning ahead, we can make sure Washington remains in a strong position to support our military and defense infrastructure, its diverse industry supply chain and the tens of thousands of jobs associated with this industry.”

The WMA will provide a forum for collaboration in the state among local governments, military installations, state agencies and federal agencies.  It will serve as a policy adviser to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature and others. “We welcome (Gov. Inslee’s) personal commitment to represent Washington at the gubernatorial level to engage on how issues of national defense play out within the fifty states.  For example, we sincerely appreciate your administration’s response to the recent Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment,” said John Caulfield, Chair, Executive Leadership Team, South Sound Military & Communities Partnership. 

The group was originally convened to collaborate on production of the Washington Military Alliance Report, which identified impacts to Washington’s military and defense infrastructure and develop initial recommendations in response to a possible Base Realignment and Closure Commission action. Gov. Inslee reconvened the group to ensure the state’s ongoing response and preparation during DOD deliberations.

“With 10 military-related installations, thousands of military and defense works, and over 1,500 companies supporting defense work in our communities across the state, it is now more important than ever that the state come together to develop a strong strategy to protect the infrastructure, promote the industry and support workforce development that keeps our economy strong and shows Washington as the strong partner to DOD it is,” said John Powers, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance.

“One core tenet of our statewide economic development and competitiveness strategy focuses on developing opportunities in key industry sectors. Standing up the WMA replicates an approach to industry collaboration that has been extremely successful in aerospace, with the Washington Aerospace Partnership. These effective public-private partnerships are necessary to ensure that Washington is highly competitive for the jobs today and well into the future,” said state Commerce Director Brian Bonlender.

“With such diverse military industry, missions, needs and opportunities, and a different stakeholder group for every aspect of an issue related to the military and defense community, it was important to the governor and the federal congressional delegation to convene a group of diverse military community stakeholders to come together with one voice in response to potential cuts to defense spending,” said Rich Hadley, president emeritus of Greater Spokane Incorporated.

The WMA will provide a forum for collaboration in the state among local governments, military installations, state agencies and federal agencies. It will serve as a policy adviser to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature and others.  “Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is the major economic impact in Pierce County and the largest single-employer worksite in Washington State. Our community recognizes the necessity of state leadership in sustaining the installation’s military mission,” said Tom Pierson, Pres./CEO, Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber. “The state can help local efforts to chart a course through the challenges ahead and to take advantage of the inevitable opportunities that occur with anticipated changes,” he concluded.

In 2012, Washington’s military industry accounted for 136,000 jobs and $15.7 billion in economic activity. Washington is the sixth-most military populous in the nation, with personnel at bases and assets throughout the state. The industry supports military personnel as well as civilian jobs in cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and information and communications technology.  

Links:

Website: www.WAMilitaryAlliance.org

Facebook: WAMilitaryAlliance

Twitter: @WAMilAffairs

Chamber Supports Washington Military Alliance

Tom Pierson, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO, joined Governor Jay Inslee and more than 20 military and economic development leaders for the launch of the Washington Military Alliance (WMA), a diverse group of military and defense stakeholders representing industry, infrastructure, veteran, workforce and economic development interests across the state.

“The military and defense sector is an economic backbone for many Washington communities and a priority industry sector for economic development statewide,” Governor Inslee said. “As the DOD reduces military assets around the country, we want to make sure our communities and our military personnel are prepared and ready. By planning ahead, we can make sure Washington remains in a strong position to support our military and defense infrastructure, its diverse industry supply chain and the tens of thousands of jobs associated with this industry.”

“With Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) the major economic impact in Pierce County and the largest single-employer worksite in Washington State, our community recognizes the necessity of state leadership in sustaining the installation’s military mission,” said Pierson. “The state can help local efforts to chart a course through the challenges ahead and to take advantage of the inevitable opportunities that occur with anticipated changes,” he concluded.

In 2012, Washington’s military industry accounted for 136,000 jobs and $15.7 billion in economic activity. Washington is the sixth most military populous in the nation with personnel at bases and assets all throughout the state. The industry supports military personnel as well as civilian jobs in cybersecurity, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and information and communications technology. 

The WMA will provide a forum for collaboration in the state between local governments, military installations, state agencies, and federal agencies. It will serve as a policy advisor to the governor, other state agencies, the Legislature, and others. Inslee signed a memorandum of understanding with more than 20 military, business and economic development organizations from every corner of the state.

The group was originally convened to collaborate on production of the Washington Military Alliance Report, which identified impacts to Washington’s military and defense infrastructure and develop initial recommendations in response to a possible Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) action.

Media Responds to News of Army RIF

The South Sound Military and Communities Partnership featured Congressman Denny Heck responding to a panel of local business owners and government department heads about the proposed reduction in force up to 16,000 civilian and military jobs at JBLM.


The Suburban Times:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts 

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber C-9 Blog:
State Ups Ante for Potential Army RIF

City of Lakewood:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts

City of Lakewood (YouTube):
Denny Heck speaks on potential JBLM reductions #IamLakewood  

The News Tribune:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating 

Olympian:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

Bellingham Herald:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News:
JBLM Job Cuts

KING5.com:
JBLM neighbors encouraged to speak up about potential cuts

Northwest Airlifter/Ranger: 
JBLM cuts on the horizon: South Sound leaders mobilize to soften blow