$28M to soften losses, gains from base closings

WASHINGTON – The Labor Department is providing more than $28 million to 35 states, the District of Columbia and Guam to help civilian workers affected by a massive restructuring of military bases.

Illinois, which stands to lose 737 civilian jobs, and Indiana, which could gain more than 2,600 civilian jobs, each get $1.5 million, topping the list of grant recipients announced Tuesday.

They are followed by California, with $1.37 million. It could lose 1,200 civilian jobs through closing and restructuring recommended by the Defense Department.

Maine comes next with a grant of $1.27 million, followed by Maryland, with $1.24 million. Maine faces a potential loss of 4,139 civilian jobs, while Maryland is looking at a gain of 9,012 civilian jobs.

The Pentagon has proposed shutting 33 large bases and scores of smaller ones to save $48 billion over 20 years. An independent commission, which is reviewing the proposal and can make changes, is expected to send a final report to the president and Congress this fall.

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, in an interview with The Associated Press, said the grant money is aimed at helping workers and communities deal with job losses as well as job gains.

“We want to help those workers and communities in transition with worker-training opportunities and help communities plan ahead … to find and create new economic opportunities,” she said. “The most important thing – we want to give people hope.”

South Dakota, which may lose 411 civilian jobs, is among the recipients receiving $1 million each.

The recommended closing of Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota was a blow to freshman Republican Sen. John Thune. He argued during the 2004 campaign that he was in a better position to save the base than Democrat Tom Daschle, who served as Senate minority leader.

Connecticut, which faces the possible loss of 1,041 civilian jobs, also will receive a $1 million grant, as will Virginia, which could see the loss of 8,843 civilian jobs. Massachusetts, Alabama and Arkansas, which each may see civilian jobs go up, will receive $1 million apiece. Florida, which could lose slightly more than 1,000 civilian jobs, also gets a $1 million grant.