Columbia Chamber Leads Petition Drive In Support of Fort Jackson
August 1, 2014COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Chamber has announced a ‘Save Our Fort’ petition drive in effort to protect our local military installation. The chamber will collect petition signatures, letters and cards in support of Fort Jackson through August 20, 2014 – online petition can be found here.
“Protect the Mission. Grow the Fort. Promote the Partnership is the message we want to send to the U. S. Army,” remarked General George Goldsmith, chairman of the Columbia Chamber Military Affairs Committee. “It is critical for us to show them just how a military friendly community cares about our Fort, our soldiers and the tremendous economic impact we derive as a result of our long-standing partnership.”
As part of the U. S. Army SPEA (Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment), General Becker has been asked to prepare for a worst case scenario of a potential headcount reduction of 3,100 civilians and soldiers. A loss which could mean a change to the Fort’s mission. A response to the U.S. Army’s SPEA is due by August 25thand will include detailed information on Fort Jackson’s economic and social impact on the greater Midlands community.
The Columbia Chamber is working with numerous partners throughout the region to generate a groundswell of support for Fort Jackson.
Local support is requested to demonstrate our military friendliness by signing the online petition, writing letters, or sending emails of support. Deadline to be included in community response is August 20, 2014.
Send letters of support to saveourfort@columbiachamber.
All handwritten petitions should be mailed/delivered to:
Columbia Chamber
Att: Susan McPherson
930 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29202
To learn more about the Columbia Chamber or to become a partner, visitwww.columbiachamber.com.
About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, partner-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.