FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2011
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE SENATE PASSAGE OF $20 MILLION FOR SCHENECTADY ARMY RESERVE CENTER FROM KEY SENATE COMMITTEE
As A Member Of Senate Armed Services Committee, Gillibrand Fought Hard For Federal Resources To Build New State-Of-The-Art Training Center In Capital Region
Washington, DC– U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced that the Senate has fully authorized $20 million for the construction of a new Army Reserve Center in Schenectady. The new facilities would allow for state-of-the-art, high security military and counter-terrorism training.
“This federal investment would mean that state of the art, cutting edge training could happen right here in Schenectady,” said Schumer. “It would keep the Schenectady Army Reserve Center at the forefront of our national defense, and be a shot in the arm for our community as it helps to create construction jobs in the Capital Region. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best facilities and resources in the world, as this investment would help achieve exactly that.”
“This is a great investment for Schenectady,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding would allow the Army Reserve to better train soldiers for combat with top-of-the-line technology while still remaining close to home. This Reserve Center and the new neighboring Navy Research Center in Glenville would ensure our men and women in uniform have the very best facilities and opportunities. They and their families have sacrificed for all of us and we owe them for their incredible service.”
The Schenectady Army Reserve Center will be a high-security military training and operations facility to prepare soldiers for battle and counter-terrorism operations. The new facility would span 60,000 square feet and will be situated on 3 acres of Niskayuna Commerce Park on Hillside Avenue, steps from the older and smaller Schenectady Army Reserve Center it will be replacing.
The project is expected to create approximately 200 construction jobs for a year.
The Center’s plans call for a training building, a vehicle maintenance shop with multiple bays and maintenance support staff, a library, a learning center, a weapons simulator, and a physical fitness area for 12 Army Reserve units.
Federal defense spending must be authorized before money can be appropriated. Now that the Senate has approved the funding in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, the bill will be reconciled with the House version, and pass the full Congress before being sent to the President for signature.
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