Archived as originally published. Information reflects the date of this article.
A community briefing hosted by Fort Polk Progress last night at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds Auditorium provided those in attendance an overview of Fort Polk’s current fiscal status, its future, and its impact on the state and region.
Fort Polk, near Leesville, is one of the nation’s largest military installations, site of the Joint Readiness Training Center, and one of the Army’s three infantry training complexes. Speakers at the event were Chris Goode of the Roosevelt Group; Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Don Pierson; Louisiana Senator Mike Reese (R-30); and Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA 4th District).
“Fort Polk is on track to have a banner year as Congress continues to work towards final approval for construction of a new Joint Operations Center and construction of new barracks,” said Johnson to the more than 250 people who gathered for briefing. “We offer our many thanks to Fort Polk Progress for tonight’s event, and for their extraordinary commitment and collaboration in determining ways the community can advance the mission of Fort Polk and provide the best experience for service members,” he said.
Reese, who helped found Fort Polk Progress, spoke on issues concerning the base at the state level and also touched on Interstate 14 corridor expansion, which has been passed and is pending President Joe Biden's signature. The corridor would connect military bases across five states; provide Fort Polk with connections to the ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Lake Charles; and increase the deployment options available.
Allen also presented Reese with an award, acknowledging his years of dedicated service to the community and Fort Polk.
Pierson reviewed the most recent economic impact study, prepared by Business Development Advisors for the 2020 fiscal year. The study evaluates expenditures at Louisiana military facilities; Department of Defense and Coast Guard contracts performed in Louisiana; and pay to military retirees in the state. The study was commissioned by Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Military Advisory Council. State law mandates an in-depth assessment of the military’s impact in Louisiana every four years.
Pierson said that Fort Polk, which has played a key role in Army operations for 80 years, contributes nearly 15,000 jobs and $770 million in payroll to the economy. Estimated total spending at Fort Polk was $1.36 billion in fiscal year 2020.
Goode provided details concerning the U.S. Army leadership and their importance to Fort Polk; the fiscal year 2022 defense budget and peer threats; and looked ahead to fiscal year 2023 and defense requests, encouraging those in attendance to remain vigilant to defend the force structure resident at Fort Polk; understand the implications of a potential Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC); and continue to perfect the Fort Polk Progress model.
Those who attended the event were inaugural members and guests of Fort Polk Progress, which recently launched a membership campaign in order to more effectively support the mission at Fort Polk and to improve quality of life for soldiers and their families stationed at Fort Polk.
For more information on becoming a member and supporting the mission of Fort Polk Progress, visit www.fortpolkprogress.com.