Precision Lift in October 28, 2002 article in Great Falls Tribune

GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE
Great Falls, Montana

Monday, October 28, 2002

Defense bill generous to Montana

State will receive at least $41 million, including $8 million for local projects

By PAULA WILMOT
Tribune Staff Writer

"Hallelujah!" was one Montanan's reaction to the defense spending package signed into law by President Bush.

The $355 billion package includes $15.6 million in military construction in Montana and another $26 million in defense-related projects in the state.

The Montana appropriations include more than $8 million for military construction in Great Falls and more than $4 million for Heli-Basket rescue systems and helicopter maintenance platforms produced by a Monarch-based company.

"This is big, big money for us. Hallelujah!" said Sandra Schwartz, corporate secretary for Precision Lift Inc. of Monarch. "This brings money to Montana. It provides the Army Guard with useful equipment and Montanans with jobs that pay above minimum wage," she added.

Chris Croff, partner in Precision Lift, estimated that the firm's last Army Guard contract affected 50 jobs, including those at the Monarch headquarters, those with manufacturing subcontractors at Sun River and Lewistown, and related Great Falls businesses.

"Increased production will mean several jobs," Croff said.

Heli-Baskets are rigid aluminum baskets that allow helicopters to carry external cargo more safely. They can be used to rescue 15 to 20 people from fires and other emergencies, too. The helicopter maintenance platforms give crews easier access to the equipment and provide a safer way to perform work formerly done with ladders and scaffolds.

Specifically, expenditures approved by Congress and the president include $3.2 million for the purchase of Heli-Basket systems and $1.5 million for maintenance platforms for the Army Guard. Though allocations were reduced from proposed expenditures of $4.5 million and $2 million respectively, no one at the Monarch company was complaining about the cuts.

"We've been through this a couple of times before," said Croff, one of the inventors of the Heli-Basket. "We're very pleased. There's a lot of competition for these dollars," he added.

"We like to work with Sen. (Conrad) Burns (R-Mont.). He's always looking for ways to provide income to Montana," Schwartz said.

For Great Falls, the 2003 military construction budget shows $4.7 million for family housing units at Malmstrom Air Force Base and $3.5 million for the Montana Air National Guard's load crew training facility.

The MAFB appropriation will build housing for 18 families, eight in Minuteman Village north of the base and 10 in Matador Manor south of the main gate. The combination of single-family houses and duplexes will replace older homes that have been moved to Montana Indian reservations.

More than the 18 homes will be built. Construction also will include roads, sidewalks, utilities and other infrastructure in the housing area, according to Master Sgt. Buzz Ritchie, public affairs spokesman.

"This is part of a long-range plan to build housing on the base," Ritchie said. Currently, the base has a total of 1,406 housing units, he said.

The $3.5 million for MANG will build a new training facility for the crews responsible for loading bombs and missiles into aircraft. The 7,500-square-foot facility will include classrooms and an aircraft bay.

Other military construction money earmarked for Montana includes $5.9 million for a Naval Reserve Center at Billings and $1.47 million for the Army National Guard's post engineer maintenance facility at Helena.

"It's always great news when we get outside money for construction in Montana, and $15 million goes a long way. It keeps a lot of people employed," said Cary Hegreberg, executive director of the Montana Contractors Association.

The state's ongoing budget crisis may result in delays of state projects, Hegreberg said. "These projects may fill the gap," he added.

According to Hegreberg, transportation planners figure that every $1 million spent on highway construction means 42 jobs, good paying jobs in the $20 per hour range. "Military construction dollars probably do the same thing," he said.

Another $1 million in design funds expected for the MANG Training Range over or near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation wasn't on the list of appropriations released by Burns' office, but spokesman J.P. Donovan said the item hadn't been cut. Instead, the $1 million is included in the Air Force operations budget.

Montana also will receive a portion of more than $47.5 million nationwide earmarked for impact aid and upgrades of aging Minuteman III missiles.

The Minuteman III program at Malmstrom and two other bases also was funded at $598 million, of which $14 million was specifically requested by Burns for the Mk-12/12a shipping containers and the MMIII propulsion replacement system, Donovan said.

Also in the bill was a 4.1 percent pay increase for military personnel.

**GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE**
Great Falls, Montana
Monday, October 28, 2002 Defense bill generous to Montana State will receive at least $41 million, including $8 million for local projects By PAULA WILMOT Tribune Staff Writer "Hallelujah!" was one Montanan's reaction to the defense spending package signed into law by President Bush. The $355 billion package includes $15.6 million in military construction in Montana and another $26 million in defense-related projects in the state. The Montana appropriations include more than $8 million for military construction in Great Falls and more than $4 million for Heli-Basket rescue systems and helicopter maintenance platforms produced by a Monarch-based company. "This is big, big money for us. Hallelujah!" said Sandra Schwartz, corporate secretary for Precision Lift Inc. of Monarch. "This brings money to Montana. It provides the Army Guard with useful equipment and Montanans with jobs that pay above minimum wage," she added. Chris Croff, partner in Precision Lift, estimated that the firm's last Army Guard contract affected 50 jobs, including those at the Monarch headquarters, those with manufacturing subcontractors at Sun River and Lewistown, and related Great Falls businesses. "Increased production will mean several jobs," Croff said. Heli-Baskets are rigid aluminum baskets that allow helicopters to carry external cargo more safely. They can be used to rescue 15 to 20 people from fires and other emergencies, too. The helicopter maintenance platforms give crews easier access to the equipment and provide a safer way to perform work formerly done with ladders and scaffolds. Specifically, expenditures approved by Congress and the president include $3.2 million for the purchase of Heli-Basket systems and $1.5 million for maintenance platforms for the Army Guard. Though allocations were reduced from proposed expenditures of $4.5 million and $2 million respectively, no one at the Monarch company was complaining about the cuts. "We've been through this a couple of times before," said Croff, one of the inventors of the Heli-Basket. "We're very pleased. There's a lot of competition for these dollars," he added. "We like to work with Sen. (Conrad) Burns (R-Mont.). He's always looking for ways to provide income to Montana," Schwartz said. For Great Falls, the 2003 military construction budget shows $4.7 million for family housing units at Malmstrom Air Force Base and $3.5 million for the Montana Air National Guard's load crew training facility. The MAFB appropriation will build housing for 18 families, eight in Minuteman Village north of the base and 10 in Matador Manor south of the main gate. The combination of single-family houses and duplexes will replace older homes that have been moved to Montana Indian reservations. More than the 18 homes will be built. Construction also will include roads, sidewalks, utilities and other infrastructure in the housing area, according to Master Sgt. Buzz Ritchie, public affairs spokesman. "This is part of a long-range plan to build housing on the base," Ritchie said. Currently, the base has a total of 1,406 housing units, he said. The $3.5 million for MANG will build a new training facility for the crews responsible for loading bombs and missiles into aircraft. The 7,500-square-foot facility will include classrooms and an aircraft bay. Other military construction money earmarked for Montana includes $5.9 million for a Naval Reserve Center at Billings and $1.47 million for the Army National Guard's post engineer maintenance facility at Helena. "It's always great news when we get outside money for construction in Montana, and $15 million goes a long way. It keeps a lot of people employed," said Cary Hegreberg, executive director of the Montana Contractors Association. The state's ongoing budget crisis may result in delays of state projects, Hegreberg said. "These projects may fill the gap," he added. According to Hegreberg, transportation planners figure that every $1 million spent on highway construction means 42 jobs, good paying jobs in the $20 per hour range. "Military construction dollars probably do the same thing," he said. Another $1 million in design funds expected for the MANG Training Range over or near the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation wasn't on the list of appropriations released by Burns' office, but spokesman J.P. Donovan said the item hadn't been cut. Instead, the $1 million is included in the Air Force operations budget. Montana also will receive a portion of more than $47.5 million nationwide earmarked for impact aid and upgrades of aging Minuteman III missiles. The Minuteman III program at Malmstrom and two other bases also was funded at $598 million, of which $14 million was specifically requested by Burns for the Mk-12/12a shipping containers and the MMIII propulsion replacement system, Donovan said. Also in the bill was a 4.1 percent pay increase for military personnel.

Reprinted with permission of the Great Falls Tribune