BRAC approves Arsenal cuts

BRAC Commissioner Samuel K. Skinner on Thursday said the Rock Island Arsenal "dodged a major bullet" in the base closing process by losing jobs but not closing completely.

During a brief interview, Mr. Skinner, who visited the Arsenal on behalf of the commission, defended the panel's vote to send 1,129 Quad-Cities jobs to the Detroit Arsenal. The panel approved the move despite protests that the transfer will cost too much and not further Army integration.

While Skinner says we dodged a bullet, I'd say we got a significant flesh wound. More details on QC Online.

Moving Out

-- Tank-automotive & Armaments Command - 1,129 jobs

-- Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center - up to 181 jobs

-- Installation Management Agency - 133 jobs

Total=1443 jobs lost

Moving In

-- 1st Army Headquarters - 277 jobs

-- Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant: 54 jobs

-- Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant: 89 jobs

Total= 420 jobs gained


NET LOSS = 1,023 jobs