As the U.S Army works to downsize, thousands of jobs are at risk at Fort Knox. The community around the central Kentucky post is mounting a campaign to save more than 4,000 military and civilian jobs that could be lost by 2020.
The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce has organized a letter-writing campaign in hopes of influencing the Army’s decision. Chamber President Brad Richardson says the state has made a strong commitment to Fort Knox since the 2005 base realignment and its related growth.
"The state stepped up more than any state in the nation to support the growth so we feel the Army needs to look at us more as a growth installation rather than contracting the installation," Richardson told WKU Public Radio.
Richardson cited $251 million in new schools, roads, and other infrastructure around the post.
The cuts the Army is considering at Fort Knox would be on top of the 3,500 positions already eliminated with the inactivation of the Third Brigade Combat Team. Under a worst case scenario, 4,100 hundred jobs would be cut, resulting in a $500 million loss in payroll.
