By Eileen Buckley
Niagara Falls, NY – The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was not on Thursday's voting agenda for the BRAC Commission. But it should be decided some time Friday.
There is much anticipation from leaders and those who live and work in Niagara Falls.
Some Niagara County residents gathered through out the afternoon Thursday at the Niagara Falls Airport, waiting and wondering if the fate of the Falls base would finally be decided.
But instead, they spend another day in suspense. The base generates a $150 million economic impact to the region. It is the second largest employer.
But with its biggest employer, Delphi Harrison, facing a sever financial struggle, the timing of a base closing could be devastating to the local economy.
Falls resident Anne Hart said she believes the Pentagon doesn't fully understand how important this base is to the region.
"It is a shame that it has to come to this. I don't think the Pentagon looked at it rightfully before they put it on their list. I don't think they checked out all their facts," said Hart. "The base is in a very strategic location, with power plants nearby. It just does not make any sense."
Base public affairs spokesman Neil Nolf said this is probably the most significant week in the history of the reserve station.
"There is a sense of anxiety. People obviously want the end result of this process. But the process continues. This is one of the phases. But we are concentrating on things we do have control over, and that is preparing our troops for another extended duty overseas."
Nolf said it appears the BRAC Commission has been taking a very objective look at every base. But for now, he said those who work at the base remain cautiously optimistic that it will remain open.