Washington, D.C. – Representatives Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Chris Gibson (NY-19) today introduced legislation that will reauthorize the leasing authority at Department of Defense arsenals for unused office space to outside tenants. In 2012, arsenals lost their leasing authority. This legislation, the Arsenal Installation Reutilization Authority, authorizes arsenals to be able to approve 25 year leases until September of 2019, which will help produce jobs and generate income for arsenals until 2044. Identical legislation was recently introduced in the Senate.
“The Rock Island Arsenal is vital to the Quad Cities economy and we must continue to work together to secure and strengthen its future. I am pleased to introduce this legislation in the House with Congresswoman Bustos to help the arsenal remain competitive,” said Loebsack. “This legislation builds on the work I have done to best position the Rock Island Arsenal and its critical role in equipping our troops and spurring economic development in the Quad Cities region.”
“The Rock Island Arsenal isn’t just a local economic engine, it’s a vital national security asset that we must fight to protect,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “From the factory floor to the foxhole, the 6,000 hardworking men and women who make the Rock Island Arsenal strong deserve our full support. That's why Congressman Loebsack and I are working together to help ensure the Arsenal is positioned to succeed.”
“The Watervliet Arsenal has supported the American warfighter and served as a source of great pride for our communities in the Capital Region for more than 200 years,” said Tonko. “This facility is one of the largest employers in our region. If we want to support the skilled workforce – and the security they provide to our nation – the Arsenal must have the tools it needs, including partnering with the private sector and utilizing all available workspace, to continue to operate at their usual level of excellence. I thank Congressman Gibson and Senator Gillibrand for their steadfast commitment to strengthening the Arsenal and the benefits it has provided our community for centuries.”
“As a Member of the House Armed Services and Small Business Committees, and as a veteran, I am especially proud to join my colleagues in taking action to create jobs and increase revenues at our arsenals,” said Congressman Gibson. “In New York, the Watervliet Arsenal manufactures sophisticated cannon artillery systems that are vital to our efforts to reestablish peace through strength. This bill safeguards the arsenal’s ability to partner with private-sector innovators who support that mission and help grow our economy.”
Specifically, the Installation Arsenal Reutilization Authority allows arsenals to lease real or personal property for the purposes of leveraging private investment at military manufacturing arsenals through long-term facility use contracts, property management contracts, leases, or other such agreements. This bill is designed to utilize unused administrative and warehouse space on the Island, helping to bring workload and continued employment to the Island.
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