Latest news with #181stIntelligenceWing
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. commits $13M for small arms range at 181st in Terre Haute
The 181st Intelligence Wing at the Air National Guard Base in Terre Haute will benefit from a $13 million federal investment to build a small arms qualification range. U.S. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, shared that in a news release Wednesday. 'I'm pleased that the Air Force is following through on its commitment to build the small arms range in Terre Haute," the senator wrote. "This project will ensure commanders can quickly get their troops weapons-qualified before being deployed overseas.' As a member of the U.S. House, then-Rep. Banks pushed for construction of the small arms range. Currently, the base in Terre Haute does not have a certified small arms training range, and Guardsmen must travel to state and local partners to meet their annual weapons qualification. Nearly 900 service members are stationed in Terre Haute. The project has an estimated completion date of April 20, 2027. On his Facebook page, Vigo County Commissioner Mark Clinkenbeard wrote, "This is great news for the 181st ... and for the Terre Haute community. "Thanks to all involved in helping to secure this investment. This is a great example of why advocacy at the State and Federal levels is so important, he said. Clinkenbeard and Commissioner Chris Switzer specifically thanked the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and RJL Solutions, a lobbying and PR firm based in Terre Haute. Added Clinkenbeard, "There are other communities in the United States that are vying for these same types of investments into their bases. When the US government commits to this kind of investment, it's a good sign that they like what they see and and want to continue the operations. "Sometimes current employers are taken for granted, with the thought that they will always be here. We don't want to take any employers for granted, and business retention is equally as important to us as business attraction. We will continue to work on both."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Terre Haute Chamber testifies in support of military base grant program
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and its West Central Defense Network initiative offered testimony Thursday at the Indiana Statehouse in support of funding that could be used to support Indiana's military bases, including the 181st Intelligence Wing in Terre Haute. The Indiana Military Base Infrastructure Grant Program would provide for an annual $25 million fund to be administered by the Indiana Defense Task Force. 'The allocation of these funds are an investment in Indiana's future, not an expense, with great potential for high returns from new economic opportunities created as a result,' Chamber President and CEO Kristin Craig said in a news release. 'The 181st Intelligence Wing plays a vital role in national security, employing around 500 personnel with Top Secret clearances and working in cutting-edge fields like cybersecurity, intelligence analysis and geospatial technologies.' According to additional testimony provided during Thursday's hearing, military-focused economic development groups warned that not investing in such facilities could put Indiana at risk of 'Base Realignment and Closure,' a process where the Department of Defense may close select military installations. 'This base is more than just a military installation — it's a critical economic driver that supports hundreds of high-tech, high-paying jobs and strengthens our local economy. These are exactly the kinds of jobs we need more of in Indiana — high-skill, high-wage positions that keep our best and brightest in the state,' Craig said. 'For us to continue to attract and retain talent, which allows us to attract new defense missions, private investment and new federal contracts that create more of these opportunities, we must ensure the 181st Intelligence Wing has modern, reliable infrastructure, capable of meeting the needs of current military strategies.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TH Chamber of Commerce testifies at the Indiana Statehouse
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, along with its West Central Defense Network imitative, testified at the Indiana Statehouse in support of funding that could be used to support Indiana military bases, Thursday. The Indiana Military Base Infrastructure Grant Program is outlined in an accompanying bill, that would provide the Indiana Defense Task Force with an annual $25 million fund to be administered. One military base in Indiana that the chamber says could benefit from this funding is the 181st Intelligence Wing in Terre Haute. Terre Haute City Council passes new tobacco ordinance 'The allocation of these funds are an investment in Indiana's future, not an expense, withgreat potential for high returns from new economic opportunities created as a 181st Intelligence Wing plays a vital role in national security, employing around500 personnel with Top Secret clearances and working in cutting-edge fields licybersecurity, intelligence analysis and geospatial technologies,' said Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kristin Craig. The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce added that additional testimonies from military-focused economic development groups warned that not investing in such facilities could put Indiana at risk of 'Base Realignment and Closure'. This process is where the Department of Defense may close select military installations. 'This base is more than just a military installation—it's a critical economic driver thatsupports hundreds of high-tech, high-paying jobs and strengthens our localeconomy. These are exactly the kinds of jobs we need more of in Indiana—high-skill,high-wage positions that keep our best and brightest in the state,' Craig went on toexplain. 'For us to continue to attract and retain talent, which allows us to attract newdefense missions, private investment and new federal contracts that create more ofthese opportunities, we must ensure the 181st Intelligence Wing has modern, reliableinfrastructure, capable of meeting the needs of current military strategies,' said Craig. Terre Haute City Council elect's president for 2025 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
