WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jack Kingston, R-Ga., announced Friday that the Defense Appropriations Committee approved $75 million in economic assistance for Hinesville and Liberty County. The funding will be used by the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment to help the area withstand the economic impact levied by the Army’s recent reversal on stationing a new brigade at Fort Stewart."Hinesville and Liberty County have stepped up when the military asked them to and now it's time for the Pentagon to step up and help Hinesville," Kingston said. "The Office of Economic Adjustment exists to help communities recover from the base closures and the Army's reversal on the 5th brigade was as devastating to the area. This is not a hand out but a helping hand and will allow the area to recover from this situation on a strong footing."OEA is the Department of Defense's primary source for assisting communities that are adversely impacted by defense program changes, including base closures or realignments, base expansions and contract or program cancellations. With the funding, the OEA will offer technical and financial assistance for development projects in order to help diversify the local economy.In addition to the funding, the bill requires the Department of Defense to report on all mitigation efforts under way as well as the feasibility of other combat or support units relocating to Fort Stewart.
Kingston announces $75 million in economic assistance for Hinesville
Committee orders funding, report on DoD efforts to mitigate 5th BCT reversals impact
