Beshear appoints BRAC Task Force members

Staff Report

 FRANKFORT — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced Saturday members of the Governor’s Task Force on Military Base Realignment. The task force was created by Executive Order on March 26, 2008, in order to supplement the state’s efforts in expediting the federal governments 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations.

“This team will play an integral role in accommodating the BRAC transformation," Beshear said. “We must be ready to address the specific needs this realignment will require, including transportation, community water and sewer availability, educational demands and overall economic and infrastructure demands. That will be the central charge of this group.”

The members appointed by the governor are:

John Hindman, secretary of the Economic Development Cabinet

Joe Prather, secretary of the Transportation Cabinet

Helen Mountjoy, secretary of the Education Cabinet

Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Adjutant General

Retired Col. Don Williams of Elizabethtown, chairman of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs

Retired Brig. Gen. James E. Shane Jr. of Frankfort, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs.

Wendell C. Lawrence of Elizabethtown, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District.

C. Bruce Traughber of Louisville, director of economic development for Louisville Metro and representative from Louisville/Jefferson County.

William Bradley Richardson of Elizabethtown, executive director of North Hardin Economic Development Authority and One Knox Policy Council.

Donald Henderson of Hopkinsville, a real estate developer and representative from Fort Campbell area.

The financial investment from federal sources when BRAC is implemented fully is expected to become the largest single economic advancement in Kentucky’s history. This portends a much needed boost for local and state taxes as well as strengthening individual and business income.

Before the end of 2011, approximately 5,000 new military and civilian jobs will have been created along with 7,700 family members moving to Kentucky. These primarily are high-tech, upper-level professional and management positions for new commands and roles at Fort Knox.