Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 Source: Jonesboro Sun, The (AR) Copyright: 2003, The Jonesboro Sun Contact: http://www.jonesborosun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1825 Author: Larry Fugate GUARD'S NEA IMPACT Digesting some governmental publications can become a real chore for journalists. However, frequently the dry documents provide insights that directly impact Northeast Arkansas communities. The annual publication of the Arkansas National Guard for fiscal 2002 is one of those documents that paints a much broader picture. The organization -- Army National Guard and Air National Guard -- is big business for our state. The budget for the year ending Sept. 30, slightly more than $195 million, comes primarily from federal dollars. The economic impact on many communities in Northeast Arkansas is real. In some towns and counties the Guard is one of the biggest employers after school districts and local government. The Guard's operational budget for 10 Northeast Arkansas counties totaled $12.3 million. The breakdown: * Clay, $1,073,506; * Craighead, $3,441,625; * Crittenden, $2,131,531; * Cross, $553,652; * Greene, $1,085,633; * Jackson, $1,025,666; * Lawrence, $496,525; * Mississippi, $637,970; * Poinsett, $1,598,220; and * Woodruff, $344,565. The Guard's operating budget, including monies paid to Guard personnel, is especially appreciated in some area counties with high unemployment rates. Poinsett, Clay and Jackson counties, for example, have unemployment rates that top 7 percent. In many cities and counties the Guard's annual operating budget exceeds that of most local industries. The Guard is, in effect, a major employer. The Guard's impact also goes beyond weekend drills and two weeks of summer camp. The 525 members of the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, Army National Guard, returned in June from deployment to Sinai, Egypt, following a 9-month peacekeeping mission with the Operation Multinational Force and Observers. The battalion, which is based at Searcy, has companies and detachments in Wynne, Walnut Ridge, Harrisburg, Augusta and Newport. Other units provided security for one state airport, the Nuclear One power plant at Russellville and an industrial park at East Camden following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The $12.3 million allocated for Guard operations in Northeast Arkansas does not truly measure the impact of the organization on our area's economy. A large number of area residents belong to Guard units based in other areas of the state. In addition to the monetary impact, the Guard plays several other community services roles. The Guard continues to perform a variety of missions to find illegal drugs. Reconnaissance missions utilizing three helicopters and thermal imaging equipment provide law enforcement platforms for detection, surveillance and communication. The unit flew 1,000 hours in support of local law enforcement during the last year. Engineer units like the 875th Engineer Battalion headquartered in Jonesboro, with companies and detachments in Jonesboro, Rector, Piggott and Paragould, performed more than two dozen construction projects around the state. The battalion has been active in community service projects, helping to build and enhance local parks and playgrounds, improvements at Jonesboro Municipal Airport and the citywide Clean Sweep campaign. Guard members also provided logistic assistance and other services when St. Bernard's, as a part of its centennial observance, sponsored a weekend-long field hospital to provide medical services for residents of Northeast Arkansas who ordinarily do not have access to medical care. The Guard's regional impact can be measured in many ways. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth