Defense bill includes funds for National Guard Readiness Center for Parkersburg
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PARKERSBURG -- A defense spending bill approved this week by the House and Senate includes funds for a new National Guard Readiness Center in Parkersburg.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 includes $3.3 million for the planning and design of a new National Guard facility in Parkersburg and funding for the planning and design of readiness centers in Bluefield and Charleston, $1.95 million and $4.8 million, respectively.
The existing armory is on Blizzard Drive in South Parkersburg across the street from Parkersburg South High School. The facility doesn't meet standards, according to Lt. Col. Holli Nelson, director of Strategic Communications and Governmental Affairs.
"The current facility in Parkersburg houses more than 150 soldiers and these construction dollars will support the maintenance and storage activities for the care of the Department of the Army assigned military equipment. The current building was constructed in the 1950s and does not meet the standards for anti-terrorism/force protection."
Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce is looking forward to the details of the facility.
"I think it's going to be good for the community," he said.
The bill passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 310 to 118 with 73 Republicans and 45 Democrats against. It passed the Senate on Wednesday by 87 to 13 with six Democrats, six Republicans and one independent against.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, West Virginia Rep. Carol Miller and Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson voted in favor. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance voted against.
Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., did not vote, according to the House records.
The bill was sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The $886.3 billion spending plan went to the president and includes the largest raise for service members in 20 years, 5.2 percent.
Capito called it a bipartisan compromise combining the House and Senate versions and supports troops, domestic and national security and strengthens the military, including benefiting West Virginia.
"Properly establishing our nation's defense priorities is one of Congress' primary responsibilities and something that I take incredibly seriously," she said,
The act includes the transfer of the former Wetzel County Memorial Army Reserve Center to the City of New Martinsville that plans to use the property for emergency response services.
"America's military readiness transcends political division and this year's defense package provides necessary funding to defend our nation and provide support to our service members and their families," Manchin said.
Manchin said the bill includes his Nuclear Fuel Security Act that directs the secretary of the Department of Energy to establish a nuclear fuel program to ensure energy security and independence while also reducing the funds Russia receives from energy sales used to support its war efforts in Ukraine.
The National Guard worked with the state's congressional delegation on the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act for funding for military construction projects in West Virginia, Nelson said.
"These projects will assist the West Virginia National Guard in ensuring facilities can adequately support the modernized equipment received to our state, while also ensuring the needs of our service members are met for readiness and response capabilities," Nelson said. "We are incredibly grateful for the continued support and bipartisan efforts of Sens. Manchin and Capito to secure this funding for the West Virginia National Guard in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024."
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.