Photo by Richard Hurd
Common Council Rejects Resolution Opposing F-35A Basing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Sept. 17, 2019)
Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)
MADISON – Tonight the Madison Common Council rejected a resolution that opposed the basing of the next-generation F-35A jet at Madison’s Truax Field. In response to tonight’s vote, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon released the following statement:
“We are pleased that the council sent a message of support to the 115th Fighter Wing by voting to oppose this resolution. The long-term health of the 115th is vital to our economy and our community, and basing the F-35A at Truax Field will protect the livelihoods of the 1,200 Airmen – our friends, neighbors and guardians – who currently work there.
“We appreciate the mayor and council’s focus on ensuring a high quality of life for our residents, and those concerns can be balanced with maintaining Greater Madison’s economic momentum. This community has resolved similar challenges many times before, whether it is the interstate, major thoroughfare reconstruction like Verona Road or our railroad crossings.
“We will continue to support this new mission to ensure the benefits of the base – including supporting 1,264 permanent jobs and 400 construction jobs, generating $100 million in annual economic impact, providing emergency services for the airport and giving tuition support to area students who serve in the Guard – remain in Greater Madison for decades to come.”
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300
organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than
10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full
potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From
cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and
products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s
entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at madisonbiz.com.
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