President Bush signed a military construction bill for $9.3 billion November 22, an amount that is $1.4 billion less than last year, but $200 million more than what he originally requested. Many legislators added construction projects for military bases in their home districts. In early November, there was a dispute between the House and Senate over how to split earmarked money for home-district projects.
In early November, there was a dispute between the House and Senate over how to split earmarked money for home-district projects. The legislature’s final decision gives 53 percent of the money to the Senate — approximately $700 million — and 47 percent to the House — about $400 million.
How will this money affect contractors? Military in several states will receive much-needed funds to do renovations, add facilities or finish projects.
In Warren, Arkansas, the National Guard has been planning to build a new armory since 1993, when land was bought for the project. But because of a lack of funds, the construction process has been slow. A maintenance shop was built in 1996, and architects started designing the armory building in 1998 with approximately 25 percent of funding for the $4 million project. Since then, everything has stalled. The recent military construction bill will help the National Guard complete the project, 10 years after it began.
