Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Kimball Wants To Know: Is Project On Target To Help Area?
An electronics technician tests circuit cards assembled at a Boeing Co. Aero-Space Division electronics manufacturing facility when the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile system was being developed during the Cold War more than half a century ago. With a $90 billion missile rebuild project apparently in the works, many people in the Kimball area hope it will help the region economically.
The 2019 Annual Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce banquet took place this Monday, Jan. 14, with the featured presentation's topic expanding upon how the future missile base project could impact businesses in the community.
Guest speaker Stephanie Meisner-Maggard of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce addressed a large audience of Kimball area residents and business representatives who nearly filled the Kimball Event Center to hear her message.
She said the three active and current missile base sites in the country are needing upgrades -- Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo .; Minot Air Force Base in Minot, N.D .; and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont.
Congress has budgeted $90 billion for the investment to upgrade one or possibly all three bases. As this project is still considered early in the planning stages, many of the details have yet to be released.
Those details include very important questions. Will the rebuild include all three bases? If so, where will it start? Or what if only one base will be chosen?
Along with these important details -- which have yet to be released or possibly are not known at this time – is the matter of what company will receive the contract for these upgrade projects, Boeing or Northrop Grumman, according to Meisner-Maggard.
She said the announcement should come in October 2019, but she hopes that it will come sooner.
All businesses in and around Kimball, as well as in nearby locations, are urged to connect to gbsdbound.com and sign up your business for the service data page.
Once signed up – under both contractors – you will be on the data list for what services local communities have to offer to those who could be involved with the project. It may be lodging, electrical, construction, food or something else.
Meisner-Maggard emphasized that businesses need to sign up under both companies, and if help is needed the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce will be happy to offer assistance.
