The Challenge
To assure that Kentucky's military force structure is preserved from future threats of downsizing by the Department of Defense, and to seek opportunities to enhance military activity throughout the Commonwealth by attracting new missions and commands, as well as Department of Defense contracts.
Governor Fletcher's Position
The Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs is positioned out of the Office of the Governor and works closely with the Governor's Cabinet on significant military issues. Governor Fletcher looks to the Commission to protect existing military infrastructure and promote new military missions and economic opportunities for Kentucky and its Citizens, a $5.2 billion dollar industry.
The Current Situation
The Military is changing to accommodate fundamental shifts in the strategic environment worldwide, which has promulgated budget cuts, forced downsizing, and re-engineering of our nation's defense structure. Over the last decade, the number of military personnel in Kentucky has declined by 16,000, primarily due to reductions at Fort Knox, the closure of the Lexington-Bluegrass Army Depot and the Defense Mapping Agency, and the privatization of Louisville's Naval Ordnance Station. In terms of economic significance to the state's economy, the Military has the second largest payroll among Kentucky industries that export their products out of state. On a per capita basis, the military spends more in Kentucky than in any bordering state except Virginia and Missouri. Military presence in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is critical to the economic well-being of the state. Therefore, it is imperative that our Military infrastructure be protected from further Department of Defense base closure and realignment actions.
The Strategic Plan
A Strategic Plan has been generated by and for the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs under the direction of its Executive Committee and its Executive Director. The plan is based on (1) an Economic Impact Study of Military Activities in Kentucky conducted by the University of Louisville's Department of Economics and (2) a SWOT Analysis (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) by the Public Private Solutions Group, Inc., a Washington D.C. based consulting firm. The process resulted in the formulation of the following five Strategic Goals: