From The Chamber

The President and CEO of The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Mike Landram, issued a letter of support on February 2 to maintain funding for the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne. 

Landram’s letter of support demonstrated the business community’s support in keeping the Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne. The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce has learned that the base may be affected by Department of Defense budget cuts to take place over the next 10 years. 

“The Chamber is taking an active roll in keeping the Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne,” Landram said.  “We recognize the economic impact the base has on our community and are working to ensure it stays put.”

The letter, submitted to various legislators and government officials, including Adjutant General Martin Umbarger, focused on why Fort Wayne is the right community to maintain the Air National Guard Base. The operational efficiency of the base is extremely high, operating at 28 cents on the dollar compared to active duty bases.  Landram also cited Fort Wayne’s defense industry cluster, making the community the logical place for the Department of Defense to concentrate their efforts and funds. 

The letter also noted the $100 million investment that has been made at the base since 2001, the substantial room for growth, and the state-of-the-art facility that makes up the Fort Wayne Air National Guard Base. 

Landram also cited the efforts of the Fort Wayne Base Community Council as a reason for the Air National Guard Station to remain. The Base Community Council and The Chamber, representing the business community, are in full support of Col. David Augustine and the 1,200 military and civilian personnel employed there. The Air National Guard Base is responsible for $58 million in local economic impact in the Greater Fort Wayne community. 

The Chamber plans to remain actively engaged in this issue, acting as an advocate for the Fort Wayne community to ensure Indiana’s only reserve fighter wing isn’t negatively impacted by the Defense Department’s decision to trim its budget.