Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. The final version of the Defense Appropriations Bill includes funding for more than $149 million for projects that are to be carried out totally or in part in southwest Georgia, U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop announced Wednesday (9/24).

The Second District Congressman, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said a joint House-Senate conference committee reached agreement on a compromise appropriations bill for defense that includes funding for work to be done at military installations and defense manufacturing facilities in the area of Georgia that he represents.

Representative Bishop said the bill includes:

$25.5 million to continue work on the Marine Assault Amphibious Vehicle at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany at the fully authorized level, enabling the Marines to retrofit approximately 32 vehicles. The Congressman said the vehicles are “desperately needed,” particularly given their extensive use during the Iraqi conflict.

$1 million to fund a Marine Corps Material Command (MATCOM) Life Cycle Modeling capability at the Albany base, a planning and analysis tool to determine the requirements for maintenance and supply stockage to ensure optimum readiness levels.

$8.5 million for the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. The Congressman said the new historical facility is expected to attract an estimated 300,000 visitors annually.

$3 million for repaving a road to the Ammo Facility at Fort Benning.

$72.4 million for the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, which is assembled at the Lockheed-Martin facility in Americus.

$39.5 million for work on engines for Joint Stars, which is based at Robins Air Force Base.

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