We Need to Show Our Support for the Fort
February 19, 2015
By Carl Blackstone
There’s been a lot of talk in the news lately about a potential 3,100 headcount reduction at Fort Jackson. You may be wondering why this important and why you should care. Without Columbia’s military presence, my life would not be the same and yours would not either.
Each year, Columbia is the first impression that the 47,000 basic trainees have of the U.S. Army, to many, we are their second home. More than 200,000 of their friends and family join us for graduation. They eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, they buy gas, groceries and invest in Columbia. Many later move back here to retire. As a matter of fact, Fort Jackson provides services to more than 46,000 retirees and veterans. That’s a lot of lives impacted because of one base. The Fort’s annual economic impact is almost $2 billion. The last round of BRAC cuts was in 2005. That means that in the last decade the estimated economic impact was close to $19 billion dollars. You don’t find assets like that everywhere.
This is about our families and loved ones as much as it is about those who call Fort Jackson home. These cuts mean people moving out of our community; businesses, restaurants, and shops will close. This important influencer in our marketplace and our lives will be gone.
If we lose 3,100 troops, we can no longer train 75,000 basic training soldiers, chaplains and drill sergeants. We no longer have more than 200,000 visitors flooding to our region each year. That $952 million immediate loss to the state, will affect the way of life for all South Carolinian’s.
While the statistics are staggering, this isn’t about stats. This is about community. This is about people. This is about our families and loved ones as much as it is about those who call Fort Jackson home. Over the past 98 years, many of our families and businesses have benefited from the United States Army’s investment in Fort Jackson. They have been good friends and neighbors and have fought for us. Now, it’s our turn to fight for them.
On February 26, I invite you to stand with me to show the U.S. Army how much Fort Jackson means to our state and region. We are competing with other markets who want the army in their communities and we need to show their leadership that they loved and valued here. Together, let’s show them the investment they made in Fort Jackson continues to be a strong investment–a true center of excellence. This is our opportunity to show what all the Fort has done for us.
Our message to the U.S. Army, on the 26th is simple: Fort Jackson is a valuable partner in the community and we need to do everything we can to keep them vibrant.
This is a fight for generations of Columbians and South Carolinians. I’m asking you to do your part and help save Fort Jackson.
Carl Blackstone
President & CEO
Columbia Chamber
