Falls finds funds for NIMAC

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The Niagara Military Affairs Council says there are reasons to believe that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is well positioned to survive another round of closings should one occur. James Neiss

February 19, 2012

Will consider granting $40K to organization Wednesday

By Mark Scheer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Sun Feb 19, 2012, 10:02 PM EST

NIAGARA FALLS — The city of Niagara Falls is preparing to do its part to support the lead local advocacy group for the Niagara Air Reserve Station.

Mayor Paul Dyster’s administration has asked the city council to approve the allocation of $40,000 to the Niagara Military Affairs Council, a citizens group that has worked for years to keep the installation open in the face of federal budget cuts and base closures.

NIMAC relies on financial help from the city and neighboring communities to aid in the payment of Hyjek & Fix, a lobbyist based in Washington, D.C. that has assisted in their efforts to maintain operations at the air reserve station.

In light of recently announced plans to U.S. Defense cuts in military spending, Dyster called the city’s support for NIMAC “money well spent.”

“There’s an awful lot swirling around right now and it seems to me like now is a good time to have your full team on the ground in Washington, D.C. looking out for your interests,” Dyster said.

A similar amount was allocated to NIMAC last year using a portion of the city’s casino cash. Dyster said it’s not possible to draw from those funds this year due to the lack of incoming casino money. Instead, Dyster said that although the city has allocated much of its casino revenue to other projects, the is prepared financially to provide the requested support to NIMAC. Dyster said, the city will draw the $40,000 for NIMAC from its special projects fund balance with a plan to replenish those dollars once the city starts to receive the casino cash it is already owed.

The airbase, which is home to both the 107th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard and 914th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve, employs more than 3,000 full- and part-time employees and has an esimated payroll of $88 million. Future operations were called into question earlier this mone when the Defense Department announced plans to restructure military operations nationwide as part of plan to significantly reduce its budget over the next decade. NIMAC officials have expressed the most concern about the Air Force’s recently announced interest in cutting the Air Guard’s ties to Niagara, which would leave the 107th without a mission. The unit represents 800 jobs. NIMAC officials are also concerned about the possible loss of C-130 cargo planes at the base. The Air Force is looking to retire 65 of those planes.

On the plus side, members of Western New York’s Congressional delegation have asked the Department of Homeland Security to authorize the construction of a new border patrol facility at the base. Federal officials have announced plans to invest $28.1 million to develop a new cargo plane simulator at the Falls Air Reserve Station.

The city’s allocation, if approved, would be added to a $40,000 allocation approved by the Niagara County Legislature last week. NIMAC is also soliciting cash contributions from the cities, towns and village of Niagara County, and Erie County as well.

“I can’t think of a better investment there is right now if you look at the it both in terms of employment and the economic spinoff the base has here,” Dyster said. “The events of the last few weeks highlight the need to deliver those funds sooner than later. A lot of other communities, not just those in Niagara County, but in Erie County as well have an interest in this.”

The city council is expected to consider Dyster’s request for NIMAC funding during a meeting on Wednesday. This week’s meeting is being held on Wednesday due to the President’s Day holiday. the council will hold an agenda review session at 4 p.m. with the regular session to follow at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be held in council chambers at City Hall, 745 Main St.

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