OBSERVER Staff Report
New jobs are coming to Chautauqua County thanks to the U.S. Army.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced Thursday that the Army has awarded a contract in the amount of $11,969,760 to The Resource Center, which has offices in Jamestown and Dunkirk. This one time contract procures 24,000 A-22 cargo-bags for aerial delivery, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 15, 2013.
Schumer stated that this is a win-win for Chautauqua County, as it will create 25 to 30 job opportunities for individuals, some with disabilities, at The Resource Center, all while the Center plays a critical role in keeping our troops safe abroad. Schumer applauds the Army for awarding this contract to The Resource Center.
"This Army contract is huge news for Jamestown and will be a shot in the arm for the local economy," said Schumer. "This nearly $12 million investment will allow The Resource Center in Jamestown to produce mission critical cargo bags for our troops in Afghanistan, all while creating as many as 30 job opportunities at this Jamestown agency, some for disabled individuals. This contract is another clear demonstration of the high quality work being done at the Resource Center, and I applaud the Army for selecting this Jamestown center to fulfill this critical need."
"In these difficult economic times, it is more gratifying than ever to be in a position of responding to a critical demand for the government and for our special forces, a demand that also will provide sorely needed employment opportunities in Western New York," said Paul Cesana, Executive Director of The Resource Center. "Our staff works very diligently and intensely to satisfy the requirements of our government so as to meet their specifications in a timely manner, as well as to support the development of new, needed products."
This Army Contract with The Resource Center will go toward the procurement of 24,000 A-22 cargo bags. An A-22 cargo bag is used to transport any standard palletized load or loose cargo up to 2,200 pounds. A-22 cargo bags can be rigged in multiples for moving large amounts of ammunition. Schumer noted that the production of air cargo bags is considered "mission critical" to meet specific and time-sensitive support requirements for our special forces involved in the Afghanistan theater. These cargo bags allow supplies to be delivered to combat locations by air, reducing the need for ground convoys, which have been prime targets for insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq. The first shipments are expected to be delivered in December 2011 and will continue for the next two years, with an expected completion on August 15, 2013. This Army contract is anticipated to add 25 to 30 job opportunities to complement the 25 workers who currently manufacture this product for The Resource Center.
Schumer also noted that in conjunction with other similar products contracted to The Resource Center by the Department of Defense, there is the potential for the manufacture of these air cargo bags to result in additional jobs at the recently established facility in Buffalo at the Seneca Industrial Center, in addition to The Resource Center's manufacturing facilities in Jamestown and Dunkirk.
The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1959. The Resource Center is a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities. While providing a comprehensive array of residential, clinical, primary care, and mental health services to individuals with severe disabilities, The Resource Center is also focused on improving employment opportunities for people with intellectual, psychiatric or physical disabilities. Additionally, The Resource Center is a major employer in Western New York.
