Crane NSWC Estimates Effect Of BRAC

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(CRANE) - An advocate for the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center says a request for proposals will be issued to help estimate the effect of the Base Realignment and Closure process on Indiana’s economy.

Mike Gentile used to work with the Southern Indiana Business Alliance, a group set up in 2002 to lobby for Crane during the BRAC process. He now serves as Executive Director of Crane Technology, Inc., which is looking at ways to expand economic development efforts linked to the base.

He says while BRAC mandated a loss of some 350 jobs at Crane, that number is continually being reduced. In addition, he says, the Navy has said Crane must reduce its personnel by 5% per year over the next four years.

Gentile says the study will help get a clearer view of just how the implementation of BRAC findings will affect the regional economy. Gentile says the study should take an estimated six to eight months to complete. Gentile says in the meantime, his group will work to recruit businesses to the area that might provide products or services to the Crane facility while also seving non-military sectors of the government, as well as industrial customers.

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