Southern Indiana Business Report
ODON — The White River Military Coordination Alliance presented the fifth annual State of the Community Address to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane, fellow Alliance members and regional stakeholders at WestGate Academy Feb. 23.
Alliance Chair Brianne Jerrels along with representatives from Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin and Sullivan counties delivered the briefing. This comes as a response to the annual “State of the Installation” address NSA Crane Commanding Officer Luis G. Martinez presented to the Alliance membership communities in November 2023.
“It’s good to see the communities working together to achieve a common goal which will benefit the entire region. Collaboration equals success,” said CDR Martinez. “I consider the area communities and stakeholders to be valuable members of Team Crane in their own right. I appreciate their daily efforts to work together to increase their impact and find creative solutions to enhance the region and its collaborative partnerships.”
Input for the presentation is provided by members from the five counties and nine incorporated towns that formed the Alliance in 2017. The briefing creates a forum for the communities to share accomplishments and initiatives in mutual interest areas between them and NSA Crane such as housing availability and development, infrastructure improvement and resiliency, and quality of life initiatives.
This year, the address focused on how communities surrounding the installation and NSA Crane can increase collaboration to make an impact in the following areas:
● Opportunities to build long-term relationships: Incorporating more Team Crane representation and participation into schools, boards, and task forces can help ensure that NSA Crane and the communities are working together and communicating effectively. The efforts of the Alliance have laid a foundation for strong partnerships between NSA Crane and community leaders and Team Crane’s involvement is not only welcome but is becoming necessary to move the needle on initiatives.
● Community Achievements and Initiatives: The Alliance prepared information that covered everything from childcare, housing, infrastructure, transportation, broadband, energy resiliency and workforce development as well as aspects that influence the quality of life in the communities that can assist Crane leadership when recruiting new employees.
● Engagement in community events: Communities encouraged Team Crane to participate in local events, celebrations, festivals and programs. Community members can get to know NSA Crane better through its increased presence at events that are a point of pride and connection for the cities, towns and counties. It was also noted communities would like to explore opportunities to venture behind the gate for focused base tours and interactions with Team Crane leadership, including field trips to increase awareness with the K-12 population.
● Advocacy for infrastructure funding/resources: One of the most popular topics, specifically surrounding the WestGate Tech Park and the base, was infrastructure improvement and sustainability. The communities reported that in order to grow and develop at the pace desired, surrounding infrastructure – including water, sewer, and other utilities – is a vital piece of the puzzle. Community leaders are working hard to advocate for these improvements in innovative ways such as state and federal grants and partnerships with utility providers.
“This annual State of the Community Address provides our local communities a unique opportunity to share our accomplishments, challenges and needs with our neighbors at NSA Crane,” said Jerrels. “This year, perhaps more than ever before, we feel the momentum and excitement surrounding collaboration both within the gates and throughout the region, we appreciate the forum for open discussion surrounding these areas of mutual benefit, partnership and development of the southern Indiana defense ecosystem.”
In addition to the State of the Community Address, Indiana Department of Transportation provided an update for roadway improvements planned for the year that may impact the base and its workforce. Additionally, Alyssa Robinson, Crane liaison for the National Security Innovation Network, provided the Alliance with an overview of NSIN, its mission, and how the organization can support the member communities and their residents. The next quarterly Alliance meeting will be held May 17 in Bedford.