Subcommittee OKs $9.5 million for Slaughter's Niagara Falls Base funding plan

U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, NY-28, announced last week that more federal money could be on the way for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The funds would go toward building a Joint Operations Center helping the air base follow guidelines set forth by the BRAC Commission in 2005.

The $9.5 million in funding has been approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, a key hurdle in the House. The funding will help construct a C-130 Flightline Operations Facility. The 4,978-square-foot, two-story building will jointly house the staff of the 914th Airlift Wing and 107th Airlift Wings.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Niagara Falls Air Base deserves to be the jewel of the Air Force and I will do everything I can to make that a reality," said Slaughter. "This funding is particularly important because the construction of the Joint Operations Facility is in direct response to recommendations from the BRAC Commission. Five years ago, we rallied to keep the base open, and to this day, I've done everything I can to make sure that the air base remains a strong part of Western New York's identity for years to come."

In 2005, the BRAC Commission report stated that the 914th and 107th must form an association. This funding will help create the most efficient use of space for them, Slaughter said.