Arsenal Support Program Initiative creates jobs, strengthens Arsenal

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) and Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) today won passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 that provides a one-year extension of the Arsenal Support Program Initiative (ASPI).  Hare and Braley joined to introduce the amendment.

The amendment, which reauthorizes ASPI for one year through FY 2011, passed the House unanimously today.  The program was set to expire this year. The underlying bill also authorizes $3 million for ASPI at Rock Island Arsenal.

ASPI renovates unused office and manufacturing space at Rock Island Arsenal to lease to commercial firms.  It currently has 30 tenants, generates $700,000 per year in revenues, and has created or retained an estimated 500 jobs.  ASPI has dedicated $15 million to facility improvement projects over its existence.  The program had an estimated local economic impact of $27.3 million in FY 2008.

"ASPI has been tremendously successful in bringing tenants and jobs to Arsenal Island," Hare said. "Extending this program will provide a needed boost for the Quad Cities' economy and help strengthen and BRAC-proof the Arsenal."

"Extending the ASPI program will help spur economic development in the Quad Cities, save taxpayers money, and maintain infrastructure at the Arsenal," said Braley.  "The Arsenal has a tremendous impact on the Quad Cities' local economy.  Investing in this program will help create and maintain jobs at the Arsenal."

Hare and Braley have been strong supporters of the ASPI program.  ASPI was created in 2001 to allow private-sector commercial tenants to lease space for their businesses on military arsenals.  Funds generated by the program help reduce overhead at the arsenals and modernize arsenal infrastructure.

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