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Everett hopes gaining 3 Navy destroyers will boost economy
EVERETT, Feb 14, 2012 (KCPQ/KMYQ-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Naval Station Everett will gain some new muscle over the next few years with the addition of new, modern destroyers.
Rep. Rick Larsen (D- Lake Stevens) announced Tuesday that the facility will replace three of its frigates over the next seven years with new or modified destroyers.
The new ships will join two other destroyers as well as the aircraft USS Nimitz in calling Everett home.
"The decision to homeport three more destroyers here secures the future of Naval Station Everett," Larsen said.
The arrival of the destoryers is also expected to have an economic impact, bringing hundreds of sailors and their families to the Everett area.
"To be able to look out at close to a decade and know that committment will be here is just very gratifying," said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson.
Stephenson added that the destroyers will help ease the pain of the recent Kimberly Clark plant closure that cost 700 people their jobs.
. While many military communities are worried about impending cuts to the Defense Department budget, the decision to bring the destroyers to Everett should relieve our community of any fears of losing this cornerstone of our community."
Officials have not said what specific destroyers will be moving to Everett but they will be a mix of new and modified ballistic missile defense-capable ships.
Meanwhile, President Obama's newly proposed budget includes naerly $600 in military projects for Washington State. That includes $280 million for an explosive handling wharf at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, $294 million for a specia-ops dog kennel and wastewater treatment plant at Joint Base Lewis McChord, and $6 million for a flight simulator at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
___ (c)2012 KCPQ/KMYQ-TX (Seattle) Visit KCPQ/KMYQ-TX (Seattle) at
www.q13fox.com Distributed by MCT Information Services
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