[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1364-E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CREATING JOBS
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HON. LEE H. HAMILTON
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 24, 1996
Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington
Report for Wednesday, July 17, 1996, into the Congressional Record.
Creating Job Opportunities In Indiana
Hoosiers often ask about the availability of good-paying
jobs in Indiana. They believe the economy in Indiana is
performing better and more jobs are being created, but
continue to worry about the long-term prospects for growth.
I share their concerns, and have given a high priority to
supporting job creation efforts in southern Indiana. I have
taken a leading role in support of several key highway and
water projects in the 9th District which will encourage long-
term growth, and have led efforts to find productive reuses
of closed military bases in and around the District.
highway and water projects
Investment in our infrastructure is vital to maintaining
the high quality of life Americans have come to expect. Since
last year I have supported over 100 projects, including
improving roads and sewer and water systems, in our 21
counties, bringing in over $62 million.
I-265 bridge
I have taken the lead in seeking congressional funding for
an I-265 bridge across the
[[Page E1365]]
Ohio River. My preference is for an eastern bridge which
completes the I-265 beltway. Such a route would promote job
creation in southern Indiana and relieve highway congestion
in the greater Louisville area. Congress, with my support,
approved in 1994 $500,000 for the project, which is now
funding a study, to be completed this November, on a possible
bridge location. Also, Governor Bayh, at my urging, recently
committed $1 million for an environmental impact statement
(EIS). The EIS will follow the location study, and is a
necessary step, under federal law, before construction can
begin on the project. It will investigate the project's
effect on the natural, economic and social environments of
the area and provide a cost-benefit analysis of the project.
us 231 highway
I have also led efforts to upgrade US 231 in Spencer County
to a four-lane highway. Governor Bayh, at my request,
recently committed $500,000 to conduct an EIS, starting this
fall, on the highway project. A four-lane highway will
greatly improve the current transportation network in this
region, linking I-64 in Indiana to the Natcher Bridge,
Owensboro and the Kentucky parkway system in the south. It
will also encourage economic development in Spencer, Dubois
and Perry Counties.
flood protection
Heavy rains this year highlight the need for effective
flood protection, particularly along the Ohio River, to
secure homes, businesses, and public infrastructure in the
region. A House committee, at my request, has provided $2.8
million to repair six Ohio River flood protection projects
built by the Corps of Engineers from 1943 to 1954 and
operated and maintained by the cities of Lawrenceburg,
Jeffersonville-Clarksville, New Albany, Cannelton, Tell City,
and Evansville. The full House will soon consider the
measure.
ohio river greenway
The greenway will connect the waterfronts in
Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany, and provide
residents and visitors with better access to this scenic
riverfront corridor and its various attractions, including
the Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area,
the Louisville skyline, and the historic districts along the
riverfront. Congress, at my request, has approved funding
over the last few years for initial planning and design work
on the project. A House committee is considering a bill to
authorize construction of the greenway.
redevelopment at closing bases
Indiana has been hard hit by the four rounds of military
base closings. Four major bases have been closed, including
the Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) in Madison; one, the
Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (INAAP), has been inactivated;
and another, the Naval Ordnance Station, Louisville (NOSL),
which employs several hundred Indiana residents, is being
privatized. These closures have had a significant impact on
communities throughout the state. My efforts have focused on
promoting commercial uses at these installations.
jefferson proving ground
The Army formally closed JPG last year, and efforts are
under way to find productive uses for the 55,000 acre
property. A local businessman won an open competition to
acquire the 3,400-acre cantonment area, the built-up area
south of the firing line. He is now farming the open land and
marketing the buildings. An additional 230 acres have been
set aside for a county park. The acreage north of the firing
line has significant contamination problems. The Army
estimates that over 1 million rounds of unexploded ordnance
litter the firing range, significantly limiting possible
reuses of the property. It appears likely that most of the
property will remain wilderness, with perhaps some limited
access, in time, to the Old Timbers Lodge and other specific
areas, and that the Indiana Air Guard will continue to run
training flights into the range.
indiana army ammunition plant
The Army inactivated the ammo plant in Charlestown in
October 1992, but chose not to sell the installation because
it wants to be able to reactivate the black powder plant at
the facility in the event of a national emergency. The key
now is finding productive uses for other portions of the
facility. ICI, the plant contractor, has contracted with the
Army to use the resources at the installation for commercial
development, and has succeeded in attracting 62 businesses,
employing over 600 people, to the plant. ICI is now working
to locate larger tenants to the property. I have taken the
lead in establishing a 2000-acre state park at the far
eastern end of the installation. The new Charlestown Park, to
be opened later this year, will be an outstanding addition to
the state park system, along a scenic stretch of the Ohio
River.
naval ordnance station, Louisville
The Base Closure and Realignment Commission voted last year
to close NOSL, but gave the Navy the option of privatizing
the installation rather than relocating the activities to
other facilities. I opposed the decision to close, but now
that the decision has been made, have been working to keep
good-paying jobs in the greater Louisville area. Under the
current plan, two contractors will perform Navy work on site
and hire most of the current workforce by mid-August.
conclusion
We have had some setbacks with the recent base closings,
but are making progress on redevelopment of these properties.
We are also making headway on key infrastructure projects,
such as the I-265 bridge. I am committed to working with
local leaders on these and other job-creation efforts.
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