FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 23, 2009

Isakson, Gingrey Visit Dobbins to Discuss New Commissary
Facility Would Serve Thousands of Military Personnel, Veterans in Metro Atlanta

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., visited Dobbins Air Reserve Base today to discuss the future site of the military commissary with base commander Col. Steve Slick. The commissary received final approval from the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness in September.

Isakson and Gingrey have been working for almost two years to try and ensure a seamless transition between the closure of existing commissaries serving metro Atlanta and construction of the new commissary. Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson in Atlanta, as well as the Naval Supply School in Athens, are scheduled to close in 2011. At that time, Fort Benning, which is located two hours southwest of Atlanta, will be the closest commissary serving the metro Atlanta military population.

Isakson and Gingrey believe it is critical to maintain a convenient commissary for the metro Atlanta military community, and Dobbins Air Reserve Base meets all the requirements outlined by the Department of Defense to build and maintain a commissary.

“This new commissary at Dobbins will benefit thousands of military personnel and veterans in the metro Atlanta area, and I’m pleased the construction will soon become a reality” said Isakson, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Discussing the potential sites for the new Dobbins commissary today was another exciting step in this process. Getting a commissary constructed at Dobbins will be a welcome benefit for the thousands of military personnel, their families, and veterans in the metro Atlanta area. The commissary also will provide almost 100 jobs for our local community and bring hundreds of thousands of people every year to our area to shop at the commissary, providing an additional economic boost for the area. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Isakson to make this become a reality,” said Gingrey.

The commissary at Dobbins is estimated to serve almost 100,000 users, and employ 98 people. The commissary will serve the entire metro area and all of north Georgia. Senator Isakson and Congressman Gingrey are working with the Defense Commissary Agency and the Air Force to complete the funding process and set a construction schedule for the commissary.

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