Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam tells ACC crowd – AEDC is important to our state

  • Published
  • By Kathy Gattis
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Governor Bill Haslam recently told members of the Arnold Community Council (ACC) that he wants to increase the aerospace and defense footprint in the state of Tennessee. He also said he thinks Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) provides the state with a "critical advantage."

The governor made his remarks at the ACC's annual fundraising event where he was the keynote speaker. A crowd of 340 people listened as the governor covered three major topics: the push for more aerospace and defense business; AEDC and its impact; gratitude for the government/community partnership between AEDC and the ACC.

"We think there is a real opportunity to develop the aerospace and defense industry in Tennessee in ways that we haven't done before," he said. "I feel like we have not taken advantage of this nearly as much as we should have in the past. We're working hard to make this the best location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs and the effort at AEDC has been critical to our state's growth."

In recent months the governor and his economic and community development team formed an Aerospace and Defense Initiative to help the state in its efforts to lure more of those businesses to the Volunteer State.

Haslam thanked the AEDC military and contractor team for the ground testing that keeps America safe and impacts the lives of those in other countries as well.

"It's a privilege for me to be here with you and thank you for your efforts and the work you do each day," Haslam said.

As he talked about the weapons systems tested here, he again mentioned the talented work force that makes it all possible.

Haslam also focused on AEDC's economic impact to Tenn.

"AEDC - about 2,000 employees and 2,000 indirect jobs - is really important to our state; you play an incredibly important role in our economics," he said.

In his final remarks, the governor praised the ACC for their support of AEDC and their role in its continued growth. He said the relationship between the ACC and AEDC is a great example of a successful partnership between the government and the community and the impact such a relationship can have.

AEDC and the Air Force Research Laboratory last month announced a new hypersonics branch at AEDC. Key leadership is already in place and will include the University of Tennessee Space Institute. ACC Outgoing President Ben Craig talked about the collaboration too.

"Efforts such as these continue to be a driving force that the ACC supports and desires for the future generations of AEDC employees," Craig said. "It is great to be a part of these efforts. During these critical times in which we live, it is critical that we work together to support the Air Force, AEDC and each of the local communities making up the ACC. It is only through these efforts that we will continue to be successful in all of our endeavors."

ACC's incoming president, Jim Jolliffe, stressed the role the ACC plays in promoting and educating others about AEDC contributions.

"AEDC has tested nearly every air and space system during its development and, in many cases, tested improvements to those fielded systems," Jolliffe said. "Our nation and our allies need AEDC's people, processes and facilities to continue the successes of the past while leading new advances in hypersonics, advanced testing methods and improved analysis techniques.

"By attending tonight you become a member of the ACC... you're invited to monthly membership meetings and to participate in supporting the AEDC annual Veterans Picnic, quarterly and annual awards ceremonies, the annual AEDC Children's Christmas Party and Evening at Arnold community outreach events."

He also encouraged everyone to take part in the group's annual trip to Washington, D.C. to promote AEDC. Craig announced there was a 10 percent increase in the number of Congressional offices visited in 2014.

In other business, new officers were selected for ACC:  President Jim Jolliffe; Vice President Jim Herron; Secretary Claude Morse and Treasurer Pruda Ross.

For more information about the ACC, go to their website at www.arnoldcommunitycouncil.com.