Oct. 13, 2004

Gov. Rick Perry Announces $5.2 Million in Aid for Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

Low–Interest Loan to Be Used for Road Improvement Projects

CORPUS CHRISTI – Gov. Rick Perry announced today that Naval Air Station Corpus Christi will be receiving more than $5.2 million in low-interest loans for three critical road improvement projects to enhance its capabilities and increase its value to the U.S. Armed Forces.

“Once completed, these projects will give our military personnel quick and easy access to the Port of Corpus Christi and Waldron Field and take some of the strain off existing local infrastructure so that civilians can spend less time stuck in traffic,” Perry said.

The loan funds, the first of their kind made available through a $250 million low-interest revolving loan fund created by the state last year, will be used to completely reconstruct all four lanes of Port Avenue between Interstate 37 and U.S. 181, extend Mediterranean Drive to Waldron Road and realign a portion of Flour Bluff Drive to the north to allow for the extension of a runway at Waldron Field.

Perry made the announcement after touring Naval Station Ingleside facilities and meeting with military and community leaders. Perry said the tour and meetings strengthened his belief that Coastal Bend Naval installations are critical to the war on terror, the mission of our military and the livelihood of Coastal Bend families as well as the entire state of Texas.

“The commitment we are announcing today is just a part of our ongoing effort to support our servicemen and women, our military installations and the families that depend on them,” Perry added.

The Texas Department of Transportation last year provided more than $650,000 to remove major traffic safety hazards around Naval Air Station Kingsville for sailors and airmen.

Texas has helped secure the relocation of 5,000 additional troops to Fort Hood in Central Texas by committing $20 million for transportation infrastructure improvements there. At Fort Bliss in El Paso, the state will fund $16.2 million in infrastructure improvements to support the 3,800 new troops that will arrive at the base in 2006. These commitments are the first of their kind in Texas.

And last month, the governor announced that the state is pledging to make more than $13 million in infrastructure improvements to the Red River Army Depot in an effort to secure expanded missions as part of the federal Base Realignment and Closure process.

“But there is still more Texas can do to keep our bases in operation,” Perry said. “That is why I will be asking members of the legislature to give defense communities the authority to invest local sales tax revenue in projects to improve to their local military installations.

Empowering local leaders to use so-called 4A-4B funds to invest in base improvement projects is important to retaining our bases and the jobs that depend on them.”

With another round of base closures on the horizon in 2005, Perry and state leaders are aggressively positioning Texas as the ideal location for continued and expanded missions.

Among the steps the governor and the Texas Legislature have taken are:

Creation of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC), a nine member group of community leaders from across Texas responsible for oversight, planning and implementation of all military related state programs.
Creation of the Texas Military Value Fund, a $250 million low-interest, revolving loan fund that can be used by military communities for economic development or needed infrastructure improvements that enhance the military value of installations.
Provision of education benefits that allow military families to enroll in state supported colleges and universities at state resident tuition rates and to retain student status at the same rates, even if the military member is transferred out of state.
Legislation mandating discounted electrical utility rates for all military installations to lower base operating costs.
Directives that state agencies give priority to military leaders on issues such as condition of roadway deployment routes, quality of life and environmental compliance issues.