Southern Indiana Business Report
SULLIVAN – The White River Military Coordination Alliance provided updates on key initiatives and toured the Lake Glendora Test Facility at a recent quarterly meeting at the Sullivan Civic Center.
Attendees included community members, economic development representatives, local and state elected officials and NSA Crane leadership, who received updates from the Alliance on key initiatives throughout the defense industry impacting the region. The meeting took place Aug. 16.
State Sen. Mark Messmer was the first featured speaker of the meeting, sharing his strong support of the defense ecosystem and the continued development of the communities surrounding the installation.
Messmer related how his concerns for the future of Crane were the driving force for his entry into state politics and that Crane and communities remain a top priority of the state legislature. He highlighted his collaborative work with WRMCA members to address historical concerns, preventing future encroachment and highlighting the continued communication and collaboration.
Matt Craig, Crane Regional Defense Group board member, provided an update on the organization’s events and success throughout the year, including its recent trip to Washington D.C. to host the annual Crane Congressional Reception in coordination with the Team Crane Congressional Breakfast. CRDG has current plans to host three more events before the end of 2024, including its Annual Stakeholder meeting on Sept. 19 that is free and open to the public.
Attendees also heard from Julian Winborn, Senior Manager, Defense and Stakeholder Engagement with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Winborn presented on the Indiana Defense Task Force, outlining its mission, future plans and role as a representative of defense communities. His overview included the efforts to evolve the Task Forces operating method to a structured process, develop a website to provide information to constituents and develop new grant writing services to be provided to the defense communities.
Following the meeting, attendees traveled five miles to NSA Crane’s Lake Glendora Test Facility for the organization’s first-ever guided tour. The LGTF comprises 460 acres containing three different ranges on a 100‐acre lake for a variety of testing purposes. The facility is used for hydroacoustic testing, underwater explosives testing, and surface burns. The remote site and unique capabilities it provides for the Department of Defense, including strong community support, places it in high demand for testing.
The final Alliance meeting of the year will feature NSA Crane Cmdr. Martinez to present the annual State of the Installation Address later this fall.