Thune Hopes to Bring New Mission to Ellsworth
Local News
by
Stephany Beshara
last edited on
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A new mission at the base could bring 560 new active duty airmen, Air Force civilians, contractor personnel, plus their families, to Ellsworth and the Rapid City area. Senator John Thune is working to make it happen.
That new mission would include unmanned aerial vehicles. The aircraft would be directly fighting the war on terror in the Middle East, while pilots and technicians work from Ellsworth.
Thune says the base has the open space and technology to support this new mission.
Area leaders say this type of mission will not only improve the base, but can also help our local economy.
Pres. RC Economic Development Ben Snow says, "There is a huge ripple effect within the economy bringing those wages into the community. Those are people that need houses, services, and all of the basket of goods employees need. That is going to distill out into the community very powerfully."
Ellsworth is one of four bases being considered for this mission. A decision could be made as early as June with the new mission to start early 2011.