Photo By Samantha Reho | Mike McCord, Department of Defense deputy comptroller, along with Col. Edward P....... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - Department of Defense Deputy Comptroller Mike McCord visited Fort Bliss Feb. 16 to monitor the progress of the stimulus-funded Warrior Transition Unit facilities, since Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which operates on a $787 billion budget.
As part of the one-year anniversary, D.C. administration officials traveled to more than 35 communities throughout the United States to survey the ARRA progress and push for job creation measures that will ultimately help stimulate the job market in each local economy.
The Warrior Transition Unit facility at Fort Bliss, costing an estimated $50 million, is the first of nine military construction Army projects funded under the ARRA.
"This [WTU] is one of our flagship projects," said McCord. "It is a great example of how we are using Recovery Act funding to increase the quality of life for our troops and their families. And because this new facility will be taking care of wounded warriors, one of our highest priorities, this is definitely one of the projects we are most proud of in the Department of Defense."
After the Recovery Act was signed on Feb. 17, 2009, McCord and his Pentagon team had six weeks and a $7.4 billion budget to research and explore new construction opportunities around the nation.
McCord said that DoD officials worked diligently with the Army and other services to approve projects that would meet their top goal of helping troops and their families while trying to spend the Recovery Act funding as quickly as possible to provide the desired economic stimulus.
Overall, the DoD will spend approximately $170 million in Recovery Act funds at Fort Bliss and the El Paso area.
"There is no other place I can think of [in DoD] that is experiencing such a tremendous growth as Fort Bliss," McCord said.
But while Bliss is constructing a brand new facility, McCord said a majority of the stimulus package money goes towards repairing facilities.
This facility consists of a 140,000 square foot barracks, which will be able to house 232 injured Soldiers, a Soldier and family assistance center and an administrative building. Supplies within a 500 mile radius are currently being used in the construction effort.
Construction began Nov. 30 and is expected to be completed Feb. 16, 2011.
| Date Taken: | 02.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.17.2010 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 45470 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 164 |
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