Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
Funding will help keep highly skilled jobs in state after base closes
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded almost $3 million to the newly created New Jersey Technology Center on the grounds of Fort Monmouth.
Congress authorized the money last year, but the DoD needed to finalize the funding, according to members of New Jersey's congressional delegation who promoted the project.
The money means jobs for skilled employees through contracts for technical and programmatic support for military, despite a federal base closing commission's 2005 decision to close the base.
While plans call for shifting Fort Monmouth functions to facilities in Ohio and Maryland as soon as next year, officials said the new funding will help offset those losses.
"The award of this grant from the U.S. Army will encourage the retention and addition of high-tech, high-skill jobs in the Monmouth area, after the closure of Fort Monmouth," said Amy Fitzgerald, Monmouth County's director of economic and workforce development.
"It is critical for the region to retain the highly skilled workers who choose not to move," she said.
Legislators responsible for the funding agreed that locating the center at Fort Monmouth would help New Jersey develop and maintain high-tech jobs and support the state and national economy.
"These funds will be literally 'out to work' by creating jobs that use their skills," said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.).
U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12th Dist.) said the investment will provide "a job center for years to come," particularly advancing intelligence and communications support for the armed forces.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg said the funding will enable Fort Monmouth "to remain involved in cutting-edge work that provides vital technology and innovation to our military and helps protect our troops."
"The scientists, engineers and technicians that the New Jersey Technology Center will be among the most prepared and talented in our state," said Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
— JOE TYRRELL, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
