FRANKFORT, Ky. – Moving forward with his earlier commitment to be prepared for full implementation, Gov. Steve Beshear today announced the members of the Governor’s Task Force on Military Base Realignment. The task force was created by Executive Order on March 26, 2008, in order to supplement the state’s efforts in expediting the federal governments 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations.

“This team will play an integral role in accommodating the BRAC transformation tasks in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “We must be ready to address the specific needs this realignment will require, including transportation, community water and sewer availability, educational demands and overall economic and infrastructure demands. That will be the central charge of this group.”

The members appointed by the governor are:

• John Hindman, secretary of the Economic Development Cabinet
   
• Joe Prather, secretary of the Transportation Cabinet
   
• Helen Mountjoy, secretary of the Education Cabinet
   
• Maj. Gen. Edward Tonini, Adjutant General
   
• Retired Col. Don Williams, of Elizabethtown, chairman of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs
   
• Retired Brig. Gen. James E. Shane, Jr., of Frankfort, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs
   
• Wendell C. Lawrence, of Elizabethtown, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District
   
• C. Bruce Traughber, of Louisville, director of economic development for Louisville Metro and representative from Louisville/Jefferson County
   
• William Bradley Richardson, of Elizabethtown, executive director of North Hardin Economic Development Authority and One Knox Policy Council
   
• Donald Henderson, of Hopkinsville,  a real estate developer and representative from Fort Campbell area

The financial investment from federal sources when BRAC is implemented fully is expected to become the largest single economic advancement in Kentucky’s history. This portends a much needed boost for local and state taxes as well as strengthening individual and business income.

“If we do our jobs effectively and efficiently, this will be a tremendous revenue and cultural boom for Kentucky,” the governor said.

Before the end of 2011, approximately 5,000 new military and civilian jobs will have been created along with 7,700 family members moving to Kentucky.  These primarily are high-tech, upper-level professional and management positions for new commands and roles at Ft. Knox.

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