[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              JOB CREATION

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an amendment to 
the Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011. In February of 
this year I introduced a 7-Point Jobs Plan aimed at creating jobs, 
investing in education and training, assisting small businesses, 
reinvigorating American manufacturing, and eliminating bureaucratic 
redtape. Among other things, my bill aims to provide EDA assistance for 
areas hit hard by job losses, and specifically those communities harmed 
as a direct consequence of the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, 
process. The amendment that I am offering today would build on this 
plan by making it easier for communities affected by the BRAC process 
to access Federal funding to further their economic development goals 
and to recover from the loss of jobs.
  Currently, most Economic Development Administration, EDA, projects 
are subject to a 50-percent match; however, the EDA is allowed to 
increase the Federal share--up to 80 percent--based on the relative 
need of the area in which the project will be located. The bill being 
debated would expand the list of circumstances under which the Federal 
share may be increased. My amendment would simply clarify that 
communities affected by ``military base closures, realignments, or 
mission growth'' are among those eligible for a reduced local cost 
share.
  Maine has lost more than 5,000 military and civilian jobs as a result 
of the unfortunate decision to close Brunswick Naval Air Station. 
Several other States face similar or even greater losses. The BRAC 
recommendations, released by the Pentagon in May of 2005, caused Maine 
and many other States to face a daunting task. All of us across the 
State and region--political leaders, business leaders, and individual 
citizens from cities and small towns--worked together to build strong 
arguments for our bases. While we did have some great success, Maine 
has suffered a terrible blow with the closing of the Brunswick Naval 
Air Station. Nevertheless, the State and region's leaders have worked 
together to ensure that the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station was 
accompanied by a commitment to the economic redevelopment of the base 
in order to lessen the impact of its closure on the entire midcoast 
region.
  The large numbers of workers in Maine, and around the Nation, who 
have been or will be displaced as a result of a base closure deserve to 
have access to necessary resources, including job training and job 
placement services. The EDA, with its mission to promote economic 
development and stability, should be leveraging taxpayer dollars to 
assist these struggling communities as we work to lead America to a 
recovery from the worst economic recession since the Great Depression.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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