Duckworth Advocates for Quad Cities Jobs In Meeting with Army Chief of Staff

Duckworth Advocates for Quad Cities Jobs In Meeting with Army Chief of Staff

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)-a combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee-met today with General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army to discuss investments at Rock Island Arsenal and efforts to grow jobs throughout the Quad Cities region. In light of recent John Deere factory layoffs in East Moline, Rock Island Arsenal is slated to become the largest employer in the region. Duckworth and General George discussed how they can further support the Arsenal's manufacturing operations and expand new job opportunities to more residents in the region, improving our military's readiness, national security and the local economy at the same time. Photos from the meeting are available on the Senator's website.

"Rock Island Arsenal plays an important role in the strength of both our national security and the Quad Cities community," Duckworth said. "In light of recently announced layoffs at the East Moline John Deere factory, I appreciated this opportunity to meet with General George and discuss how we can continue supporting the dedicated workforce at the Arsenal while expanding job opportunities in the region and investing in our national security. I'll keep working with Army leadership to ensure the men and women of Rock Island Arsenal have the support they need and that the Arsenal can succeed for years to come."

As a member of SASC, Duckworth has helped secure critical resources for Rock Island Arsenal and the surrounding communities through the yearly National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In this year's Senate-passed NDAA, Duckworth secured provisions to allow the Department of Defense to make grants to local communities to improve infrastructure around military bases that benefit local communities, like those surrounding Rock Island Arsenal. In the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA Duckworth secured $14 million for the Arsenal to support Army's development of additive manufacturing capabilities in austere operating environments, and another $75 million in the FY 2020 NDAA for eligible projects near the Arsenal that would improve military value and enhance the lives of servicemembers who live in the surrounding communities.

In September, Duckworth helped announce more than $11 million in federal funding to support the rehabilitation of critical bridge access to Rock Island Arsenal. This funding was awarded as one of fourteen Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grants from the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

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