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City News
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September 03, 2010
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| 12/23/2009 12:12:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Plaques were exchanged between the National Guard and the Economic Development Commission, which oversaw the construction of the COB. |
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| Sgt. First Class Joe Bastin is known as “The Mayor” of Contingency Operating Base-Panther. |
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Guard's Contingency Operating Base now officially open
Barbara King
North Vernon's own Contingency Operating Base-Panther (COB) was officially opened and celebrated Thursday, Dec. 17.
A large crowd of military men, city officials and Chamber of Commerce representatives joined the Economic Development Commission in the traditional ribbon cutting marking the successful conclusion of a whirlwind construction schedule that would have tried the patience of the most experienced manager.
In August, the EDC was put in charge of the project, because it is a non-governmental entity and could move on the "fast track." The city, on the other hand, would have been slowed by state laws mandating a public bidding process, for example, which alone can take weeks to accomplish.
General Clif Tooley addressed the crowd on a bright, cold, sunny day. He spoke on behalf of Major General Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, who was not able to attend.
Tooley praised the entire team, calling those involved in construction "remarkable" and noting the importance of the base to the success of MUTC.
The idea is to keep those being trained at MUTC offsite. This is said to enhance the impact of their training once they arrive at MUTC and also to acclimate trainees to the environment of a forward base such as they will find in Afghanistan.
"What's going on here is historic," Tooley told the crowd, and will help train both military and civilian people as they prepare for missions to Afghanistan.
North Vernon, Butlerville and Jennings County are "becoming household names in places you wouldn't imagine," he continued, because of the innovative opportunities at MUTC. "Not a day goes by in the State Department that this place isn't mentioned."
EDC Director Kathy Ertel also spoke on behalf of the EDC.
She described the million dollar project as "our own local stimulus project," and said she tried to keep all the work done at the airport site local.
The EDC and National Guard are in the process of negotiating a lease for the 30-acre site. According to Mayor Harold Campbell, the lease will be for a five-year period. Money loaned from the TIF will be included, to be paid back at a six percent interest rate.
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