“Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Camber, BAE, General Dynamics, some of the big boys,” are some of the key players according to Becca Hardin at The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
The Armor School’s move from Fort Knox to Fort Benning is expected to bring about 30,000 people to our area and it's expected to bring jobs from businesses that will support The Armor School. Several of the companies already have a small presence in Columbus and now they're looking to expand. Local contractor, John Flournoy, plans to maximize on the opportunity by building a business park for military contractors near Fort Benning.
“Technology is becoming a critical part of military in both Armor School as well as infantry.”
Hardin says the contractors will have training, simulation, and computer jobs up for grabs.
“Ultimately this is going to be a premier research and development park in the whole region and the whole state.”
The 174 acres may be covered with trees and grass right now but Flournoy expects to develop about 80 of the acres.
The remaining land will stay in its natural state. Flournoy says the land off of 185 and US 27 will provide prime time real estate for contractors. He says that he hopes this park will produce cutting edge technology for the military.
“I’ve read in various military journals we are really no ahead of the enemy, they feel like we are a little behind right now in getting this to the soldier in the field.”
Flournoy hopes to break ground on the land in the next year. At least one company looking to expand has already held one local job fair and more may be in the works.
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