The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce called for its members and the region's general public to submit comments on the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Realignment, released by the US Army Environmental Command (USAEC) on June 26th, 2014.  The report recommends a reduction of 10,767 active duty and civilian personnel at Fort Benning.  The public comment period ends August 25^th, 2014.

"Now is the time for you to take action by communicating your thoughts, concerns and opinions," said Gary Jones, EVP of Military Affairs at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  "We encourage our regions citizens to provide their thoughts and input before the public comment period ends on August 25^th, 2014 by writing the address below mentioning the items listed below:

1. The Department of Defense and the Department of the Army have made a significant investment of some $3,500,000,000 in Fort Benning since BRAC 2005.  Reducing personnel at Fort Benning would squander this investment.
2. Our community and region have supported Fort Benning's Mission Growth by already investing over $3,200,000,000 in transportation, utilities, homes and education. 
3. These personnel cuts, noted in the Department of Army Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment, will have a devastating impact on our region and of greater importance will weaken our Nation's military capability to respond appropriately to the ever increasing demands being placed on our military forces.

Mike Gaymon, President & CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the work the Chamber had already done on this issue.  "We have urged our federal elected officials to be proactive in averting this crisis," he said. "We have proactively reached out to businesses, along with elected and appointed leadership at both the state and federal level to express our concern and to seek their support for one of the largest economic development military engines in the two states.  The time to respond is now", Gaymon proclaimed.

Public comments on the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Realignment may be submitted by mail or e-mail to:

U. S. Army Environmental Command
ATTN: SPEA Public Comments
2450 Connell Road (Bldg 2264)
Joint Base San-Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234-7664

[email protected]

The comment period is now open but closes on August 25, 2014.