President's Perspective

Keep our Defense Supply Center in Columbus

Doug McCloud
2005 President

I'd like to write to you this month about a very important issue we have right here in Central Ohio. Currently, the Congress is considering its options for base closings across the country and our own DSCC is at risk. If you are like many, you know DSCC is here and has been for many years. But do you know what they do and how much this vital organization impacts our community and military service? You should. Click here for background information and facts about DSCC you should find interesting.

Although DSCC has been relatively unscathed by past BRAC processes, Columbus and surrounding areas have felt the impact of past BRAC processes. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base was transferred to civilian control as part of the 1988 BRAC and the Newark Air Force Base was closed as a result of the 1993 BRAC process. Our DSCC gained jobs when the Dayton-based Defense Electronics Supply Center combined operations with DSCC because of the 1993 BRAC.

BRAC-2005 is anticipated to be significant as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has stated that the military has "25 percent too much infrastructure."

So, I'd like to make a plea to you to help us keep DSCC open and thriving here in Columbus. Here's why?

• The DSCC is the 12^th largest employer in Central Ohio with 6,100 men and women. Although they are located in Whitehall, their work force comes from 66 cities and townships in Central Ohio and 40 Ohio counties! Did you know that over 89 percent of its employees are civilian? Less than two percent (102) are active military or reserve military. So, if the base closes, it will leave several thousand citizens jobless here in Central Ohio!
• DSCC supports all of the armed services by providing supplies to sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines. Each year, more than five million orders are processed totaling nearly $3 billion in sales annually.
• And folks, this is important - The DSCC has a $600 million economic impact on the Central Ohio region! Its $382 million annual payroll generates $21.6 million in city and state taxes!
• Every time you see news footage of U.S. military vehicles in Iraq or Afghanistan, you see a vehicle supported by the men and women at DSCC.

What can you do?

• Visit www.TeamDSCC.com and join Team DSCC.
• Write or email your legislators in Washington D.C. _ you can do this easily on their web site.
• Email your friends and colleages to do the same
• Invite a speaker to talk to your office, area realty association or any organization that you're involved in to help spread this urgent plea.

The job and tax loss we will experience if the base closes will be devastating to our Central Ohio economy. The time to act is now as the BRAC process will be finalized in the next couple months.

Please get involved and do your part to keep the DSCC open and flourishing here in Central Ohio.