The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly has approved spending 250 thousand dollars to lobby for new military missions at local bases. The money will primarily be spent to advocate for placement of the Air Force’s new F-35 fighter jet at Eielson Air Force base, which has been identified as a top contending site.
Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation project manager Jomo Stewart testified in support of the ordinance: “The economic impact analysis performed by FEDC estimates that locating even a single squadron of F35’s at Eielson would add 1,449 personnel to the base…simulate the creation of over 3,000 additional jobs in the community…and factoring in increased payroll, purchasing power and multipliers represent a nearly billion dollar positive impact on our local economy per annum.”
Most of the public testimony was opposed to the spending. Fairbanks resident Heather Koponen emphasized that there are different types of support for the military. “This is not about soldiers…soldiers and airmen are often heroes…but the military industrial complex needs careful scrutiny and oversight, not blanket or blind support.” Koponen listed other things she’d prefer the borough spend tax dollars on including health, education and clean energy, that could bring positive returns.
Others pointed to the mechanical and operational problems with the already costly F-35 jets. Assembly member John Davies was one of several who saw merits to both sides of the argument: “If I could reduce the unnecessary spending in the military and redirect that money toward renewable energy and peaceful efforts I would do that. I don’t think, however, that this decision that we’re talking about tonight actually affects that issue very much.”
The assembly ultimately passed the ordinance funding lobbying for military projects 7 to 2, with members Michael Dukes and Lance Roberts voting no. ###
