The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $393,000 grant to the Pennyrile Area Development District in response to military budget cuts.
The grant comes after the DoD deactivated Fort Campbell’s 159th Combat Aviation Brigade last November, a move that decreased the base's active soldier population by 2,400.
A decision is expected in the next few weeks on another possible troop reduction at Fort Campbell that could see the base’s payroll cut in half.
PADD executive director Jason Vincent says the grant will help the region form long-term economic development strategies.
“This is another way our region can support the men and women of Fort Campbell,” Vincent said, in a news release. “Regional partnerships, collaborating agencies, and the continuing supportive efforts of Senators McConnell, Paul, Alexander, and Corker along with Representatives Whitfield and Blackburn, helped make awarding of the grant possible.”
Whitfield also issued a news release celebrating the grant.
“I am pleased to see the Pennyrile Area Development District secure these funds that are so important to our region, and my hometown,” Whitfield said. “While this grant does help soften the blow delivered by the Obama Administration’s decision to restructure the aviation units at Fort Campbell, we still have more work to do to ensure a robust and capable base.”
Meanwhile, a “Campbell Strong Policy Committee” has been formed to facilitate the economic diversification effort. The committee includes members of local governments in both Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board and Austin Peay State University.