for the News-Tribune
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., announced Tuesday the award of a new $31 million contract to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) located at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center.
The funding is being provided by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for facility restoration efforts at the ABL site.
The monies announced Tuesday, which Byrd secured through the FY 2008 Defense Appropriation bill, will result in the completion of several major initiatives at the ABL facility:
— Anti-terrorism/force protection upgrades;
— Increased capacity for plant storage magazines;
— Construction of a two-story prototype facility for various laboratory operations; and
— The establishment of a sensor/seeker test range for the testing of weapon programs guidance navigation and control systems.
“This facility modernization project that has been underway for years has catapulted ABL into the 21st century of hi-tech manufacturing and the ability to develop precision weapons systems for our national defense efforts,” said Byrd.
“In addition, through this modernization effort, we have been successful in providing high-paid, expertise driven jobs in the region, which is beneficial to West Virginia’s overall economy.”
Byrd has championed the modernization of the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory for over two decades. Since 1985, he has secured approximately $401 million toward the ABL Facility Restoration Program through the annual Department of Defense Appropriations bills.
Byrd is the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
Currently, there are approximately 1,700 full-time employees at ABL, as well as 162 interns and 34 construction workers who are working on ABL restoration projects.
When Byrd dedicated the ABL Hilltop Complex in Rocket Center in 1999, the total employment at ABL was 920. In less than a decade, through Byrd’s efforts approximately, 800 new jobs have been created.
ROCKET CENTER, W.Va. —
