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About half a billion dollars in defense procurement contracts flowed to companies in the Fredericksburg area last year, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Date published: 10/30/2008
By RUSTY DENNEN Though many parts of the region's economy have been buffeted by the nation's financial storm, one facet--defense--has been a silver lining. About half a billion dollars in defense procurement contracts flowed to companies in the Fredericksburg area last year, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The majority of the money went toward big-ticket items such as weapons systems and computer and technical support at places such as Quantico Marine Corps Base, Naval Support Facility Dahlgren and Fort A.P. Hill. But money is also flowing to hundreds of area companies for goods and services such as laundry, food, office supplies, construction and waste disposal. "This is a real case of the strong getting stronger and the weak getting weaker," said Stephen Fuller, director of the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. Because of its proximity to the seat of government, its numerous military bases and other factors, Virginia has been a magnet for defense contractors, Fuller says. Many area workers commute to jobs at the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir and a host of other defense jobs in Northern Virginia. Fredericksburg has been drawing its share of government contractors. Four years ago, according to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, there were about 350 contractors; today there are more than 800. Most do business with the military. "All of that contracting is important, and you're building on a nice base there," Fuller said, and as a result, "it's given the Fredericksburg region an economy stronger than its population would have supported on its own." Virginia receives more federal money per capita than any other state, according to the Consolidated Federal Funds Report for 2007. That amounted to $45 billion last year. About 12 percent of the total was defense related. The numbers are reflected in the money flowing to companies here. For example, BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, a subsidiary of the global defense firm, in September won a five-year $175 million Joint Expeditionary forensics facilities contract with the Navy. Most of the work will be done at Dahlgren. The company employs about 220 people in King George County in an office near the base.
Glad to hear that Fredericksburg is beginning to profit from defense contracting. I myself ran to the city for 30 years in order to earn a wage that would support my family here. This article makes me wonder how many Fredericksburg residents are benefiting from new construction in town. I know many Fredericksburg blue collar workers, yet I do not know a single one who is working on the Marriott. Fredericksburg should require that for every new construction permit granted a certain % of workers be local.
As Barney Frank said, defense spending will decrease, and fredericksburg region, one of wealthiest county in the US, will suffer from obama admin. Maybe $500/yr welfare checks that obama promises can help them out.
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