Calhoun County, long a benefactor of national fiscal policy, once again appears primed to receive federal dollars, this time related to appropriations for defense and for medical training needed in the event of any sort of attack resulting in mass destruction.While not totally unexpected, these good tidings from Capitol Hill could not have come at a better time as our area, like many other parts of the nation, is only beginning to try and ease its head up out of the recession doldrums.
Unlike economic enhancement that stems from the private sector, these millions of dollars in federal programs, if given final congressional approval, will provide a steady stream of revenue that can’t help but boost the local economy.
The first four appropriations bills, totaling more than $650 million for various defense programs and contracts, would provide the largest slice of federal defense spending pie Calhoun County has received since the Anniston Army Depot’s $1 billion contract earlier this year.
A big chunk of the new allocation — $477.6 million — will go toward the M1 Abrams tank upgrade and tank modification program at the Anniston Army Depot. With the unpredictable “war on terrorism” still raging, this is money well-spent. And let’s face it, nobody in the world puts together battle tanks better than the line-workers out at Bynum.
Also included in the defense appropriations is more money for the Center for Domestic Preparedness at McClellan. That money would bring the total federal expenditure on the CDP to more than $35 million this year.
In a separate action, a congressional conference committee on Wednesday approved a $1 million appropriation for the Noble Training Center, also at McClellan. This money is part of a $123 billion bill for the departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services, and will help the training center perform the vital function of bringing our health care professionals and emergency personnel up to speed on how to respond to attacks from chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
While diversity in the economic development of the former Fort McClellan remains a common goal and priority, these stocking stuffers — steered our way with a bit of help from Sens. Shelby and Sessions — should help tame any holiday blues.
