Business Matters Summer 2018 | Page 25

Why is this so important? It is estimated that the military provides approximately 9,000 direct jobs in the Coastal Bend with an economic impact of $5 billion, and a disposable personal income in the area of $2 billion. If Congress authorizes a Base Re-alignment and Closure (BRAC), and any of our bases were slated for closure, the job loss and economic impact would be devastating to our local economy. In 2018, we plan to continue the Task Force's mission by advocating for South Texas on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon and in Austin. We will continue to seek out new missions for CCAD and NASCC, help foster a military-friendly atmosphere in South Texas and help act as a liaison between base leadership and the community. Without a doubt, the Chamber will continue to find ways to support the Corpus Christi military in all its endeavors. “We want the active duty men and women of our armed forces to make the most of their Corpus Christi experience, states Cleofas Rodriguez, Jr., President & CEO of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, “and if they are separating from their branch to consider making Corpus Christi their home to start a new career or business.” To learn more about the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce's South Texas Military Facilities Task Force, please visit unitedcorpuschristichamber.com. SOUTH TEXAS MILITARY FACILITIES Task Force Victories include: • Securing a $30 million appropriation for Texas Military Communities during the 85th Texas State Legislature • Secured $6 million for base improvement projects for NASCC and CCAD • The appointment of Garry Bradford, CEO of UniqueHR to the Governor’s Texas Military Preparedness Commission • Successfully advocated for $85 million in new construction funding for CCAD • Successfully included language in the National Defense Authorization Act regarding encroachment of wind turbines and other structures on military bases • Passing SB 277 which discourages wind farm development within 25 miles of aviation training facilities “We want the active duty men and women of our armed forces to make the most of their Corpus Christi experience, and if they are separating from their branch to consider making Corpus Christi their home to start a new career or business.”