Joint Forces Command
USJFCOM Workforce Assistance Hotline Goes Live - March 31, 2011
A hotline dedicated to providing assistance to those affected by the U. S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) transformation has been established. The number, 757-461-7537 Ext. 350, is the first in a number of programs and resources that will be made available to those who will be displaced or to those whose businesses might be impacted. The USJFCOM Assistance Hotline number is being managed by Opportunity, Inc. who will be able to provide resources through their current One-Stop Career Center programs and/or One-on-One career coaching and preparation.
A website to provide further assistance is currently under construction. Additionally, a One Stop Career Center dedicated for those impacted by the USFJCOM transformation, known as: The Virginia Regional Center for USJFCOM Workforce Transition Center and Business Development in the Bridgeway Technology Center I building in Suffolk, Va., will be open in late April 2011.
Website: http://jfcomtransition.com/
Email Hotline: info@jfcomtransition.com
Suffolk City Council Special Presentation - February 16, 2011
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August 9, 2011
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the disestablishment of USJFCOM as part of a broader DoD strategy for efficiencies and cost saving measures.
It was the intention to completely shutter all of USJFCOM at the initial announcement of disestablishment. Coordinated efforts have led to the decision to save USJFCOM's core functions and the 3,000 jobs connected with it, approximately 1,000 in Suffolk.
Following the announcement Mayor Johnson joined the Virginia Delegation in publicly rejecting Secretary Gate's proposal on the disestablishment ; as well as requesting dialogue with the DoD and the analysis that was performed that lead to the decision.
Suffolk City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution requesting President Barack Obama to reject the recommendation to close USJFCOM.
Mayor Johnson, City Manager Cuffee-Glenn and senior staff attended the Senate and U.S. House hearings on Secretary Gates' efficiency proposal.
Outreach
- Regular City Council Meeting Updates
- Website Updates
- Industry roundtables
- One-on-one meetings
- Surveys
- Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, JFCOM Taskforce
- Economic Development Partner Updates
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Mayor Johnson, City Manager Cuffee-Glenn and senior staff met with USJFCOM Commanding General Ray Odierno and other high ranking staff and have been briefed on the reductions at USJFCOM and how Suffolk can best position itself for future investment.
Core functions to remain include:
- The Joint Warfighter
- Joint Training
- Concept Development
- Modeling and Simulation
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The City of Suffolk has partnered with the Governor's Office of Commonwealth Preparedness and been awarded funding from the Office of Economic Adjustment for the establishment of a Transition and Business Development Center in Suffolk.
The Center will be responsible for four functions:
- Preparing those who have been displaced from USJFCOM for future employment opportunities
- Connecting job opportunities with those searching for employment
- Providing assistance to the small business community
- Business development
The Center will be working with numerous partners on the Federal, State, Regional and Local level to perform these missions.
2010 Economic Activity
- $70,000,000 - capital investment
- 950 - new jobs
- 630,000 sq.ft. - new and leased space
Sample of 2010 Projects
- TowneBank - Member Service Center Campus Expansion
- Bon Secours - Expansion into the Medical Arts Building
- GPC Green Energy - Landfill gas processing facility
- ISHPI - Establishment of a new IT/R&D facility
- Gannett Fleming - Relocation engineering firm
Suffolk City Council Work Session - January 19, 2011 Update
Update
President of the United States approves of the disestablishment of USJFCOM
Secretary of Defense Gates is authorized to move forward
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General Odierno
"We hope that the implementation plan will be finished within the next 30-to-45 days and approved, so we can begin execution. We have been working very carefully on this plan for several months now," Odierno said. "We've had good coordination with the Virginia delegation, led by the governor's office, Sen. (Mark) Warner, Sen. (Jim) Webb, Congressman (Randy) Forbes and many others that are involved in this."
"What we've done is attempted to find the core capabilities that should be left behind in Joint Forces Command, which I believe to be joint training, concept development, doctrine development and the role we play in providing forces for all the contingency missions around the world," he added, saying that he believed approximately 50 percent of the workforce in the Hampton Roads area will remain.
Detailed information on the transition for USJFCOM is anticipated mid/end February
The USJFCOM transition period is anticipated to take 15 months
Suffolk staff and the Governor's office have been working in close coordination on the development of a strategic plan to provide assistance to those who will be impacted by the USJFCOM transition
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January 11, 2011
Mayor Linda Johnson, City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn and other city staff met with General Odierno to discuss the disestablishment of USJFCOM
General Odierno stated his commitment to open communication with the city
Confirmed the value in joint operations and training and the benefit of its location in Suffolk
Confirmed the significance of the infrastructure and the quality workforce that exists to support future technology driven operations in Suffolk
Suffolk Economic Development will be participating in a number of trade shows and conferences directly targeted towards ideal technology users who can take advantage of the existing Suffolk infrastructure.
Suffolk City Council Work Session - December 15, 2010 Update
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Congressman Randy Forbes appeared on “This Week in Defense News” to discuss the disestablishment of USJFCOM as well as other Department of Defense (DoD) related issues
Provided information on proposed new legislation pertaining to congressional oversight that will be introduced in early 2011 that will “raise the drapes at the DoD”
Congressman Forbes is expected to be named the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee for the United States House of Representatives House Armed Services Committee in January 2011
The Readiness Subcommittee is responsible for the largest account within DOD’s budget. It oversees military readiness, training, logistics, maintenance programs, military construction, installations, family housing issues, and the BRAC process
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Multiple sources have reported that General Odierno held an all-hands briefing on Monday, December 13, 2010 to USJFCOM personnel.
The General provided a brief and broad update that 40%-50% of the current USJFCOM will be reduced and will have an impact at all locations (Norfolk, Suffolk, Dahlgren etc…)
Expected to receive announcement from Secretary Gates and specific details regarding the reduction plan in the new year if not sooner
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Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner have provided a letter to Secretary of Defense Gates and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen regarding Hampton Roads as a potential candidate for the relocation for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)
The letter details many attributes that exist in Hampton Roads that would make the relocation of AFRICOM from Stuttgart, Germany an efficient and affordable project
Specifically mentioned are the real estate assets currently home to USJFCOM operations in Suffolk and at the Norfolk Naval Base
AFRICOM is responsible to the Secretary of Defense for U.S. military relations with 53 African countries, focusing on war prevention
U.S. Africa Command projects a staff of 1,300 personnel for its headquarters and joint subordinate activities, half of whom are civilian employees, including representatives from non-military agencies of the U.S. government. As of September 1, 2009, more than 1,200 personnel were assigned
December 17, 2010 – Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce USJFCOM Task Force Meeting
City of Suffolk staff is working closely with the Virginia Delegation and the Governor’s Office on multiple strategies to mitigate the impact of the proposed disestablishment on the USJFCOM workforce and the surrounding business community; as well as identifying opportunities for future business attraction projects.
Reject | Retain | Replace - November 8, 2010 Update
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September 8, 2010, Staff from the Virginia Delegation met with representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Little information was shared, disestablishment analysis is still in the works.
Hampton Roads Congressmen sent a letter to President Obama requesting that the President not approve and not move forward with the implementation of Gates' eight initiatives until after full vetting by Congress
House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has a hearing scheduled for September 30th in which Secretary Gates will be testifying
U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has agreed to schedule a hearing with Secretary Gates, a date has not been set.
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Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Military and National Security Facilities has convened and will continue until January, 2014. The Commission will work comprehensively over the next three years toward gaining additional federal investments in military facilities in Virginia and will focus its efforts in the immediate future on identifying strategic goals and objectives toward protecting the Joint Forces Command and private defense contractor capabilities in the state.
The area’s defense contractor base and retired military community are being tasked to provide critical analysis and data on the benefits of a Hampton Roads location for JFCOM operations as well as the human capital that exists to power the mission of joint operations through Modeling and Simulation.
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Mayor Johnson briefed over 50 business community leaders during the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (HRCC), Suffolk Division, meeting September 9, 2011.
Councilmember Barclay will serve as the City Council liaison to a special task force organized by the HRCC to keep the business community informed and engaged during the process.
“Innovate Hampton Roads,” the regional response to the “Hampton Roads Vision,” has begun to move forward with their mission of developing the growth of technology clusters as well as stimulating a culture of innovation and economic opportunities.
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The new operations in Suffolk will primarily support Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD), providing Information and Cyber Dominance (ID), Engineering, Integration, and Information Technology services. This project will create over 200 jobs within the next 2 years. | |
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An international engineering consulting firm, specializing in engineering design, planning and construction management has announced the relocation of their Hampton Roads regional office to the Bridgeway Technology Center. Gennett Fleming employees 30 engineers and staff from this office. | |
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A $20Million methane gas process facility located on the BASF site. The facility will convert methane from the regional landfill to electricity to power the BASF facility as well as 3,000 homes in the surrounding area. The facility will employ 10. | |
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Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter medical office building, 8,200 sq.ft. under construction at Hillpoint Commerce Park | |
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20,000 sq. ft. pet related retailer under construction Harbour View Station East Shopping Center | |
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26,000 sq ft apparel retailer under construction at the Harbour View Station East Shopping Center |
Staff Report - Suffolk City Council - August 18, 2010
Background and History
USJFCOM was formed in 1999 when United States Atlantic Command was renamed and given a new mission: leading the transformation of the U.S. military through experimentation and education.
One of 10 Unified Combat Commands of the United States Armed Forces:
- 6 have Regional / Geographic Responsibility
- 4 have Functional Responsibility (USJFCOM)
As dictated in the Unified Command Plan approved by the President; USJFCOM oversees:
- Joint concept development and experimentation
- Joint training
- Joint interoperability and integration
- Primary conventional force provider
USJFCOM enhances the combatant commanders' capabilities by developing joint operational concepts and testing these concepts through rigorous experimentation:
- Educates joint leaders
- Trains joint task force commanders and staffs
- Recommends joint solutions
- Integrates warfighting capabilities
- Develops future concepts joint warfighting
USJFCOM Suffolk Campus
- Leases all occupied space in Suffolk from private ownership
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Currently operates in four separate locations in Lake View Technology Park and Bridgeway Commerce Park
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All equipment and personal property is nontaxable
- Does not pay a business license fee
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Employs approx 2,200
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800,000sf leased and improved space. This campus is unique and contains multiple computer support infrastructure, as well as demonstration rooms, laboratories, collaboration infrastructure and connections to a wide range of classified and unclassified communication networks.
Timeline
Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Suffolk Delegation (Mayor Johnson, Selena Cuffee-Glenn, Patrick Roberts, and Kevin Hughes) met with then USJFCOM commander General James N. Mattis
Thursday, July 22, 2010 - Defense Business Board (DBB) announces that the recommendation of the closure of JFCOM will be included in a report to Secretary Gates on DoD cost saving measures. Final report due to Secretary Gates in October, 2010.
Monday, August 9, 2010 - Secretary Gates holds a press conference to announce 8 cost saving measures for the DoD. The “disestablishment” of JFCOM was included as one of these measures
Congressman Randy Forbes organizes a press conference with the Virginia Delegation, Mayor Johnson and Mayor Fraim to contest Secretary Gates’ announcement on the closure of JFCOM.
City Manager organizes an internal team to examine and respond to the potential impact of the future of JFCOM. This team includes: Economic Development, Commissioner of Revenue, Assessor, Budget and Strategic Planning, City Attorney, Media and Community Relations and City Management staff.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - Economic Development department begins one-on-one meetings with surrounding hotels and restaurants to understand impact
Thursday, August 12, 2010 - Suffolk organizes roundtable discussion with 12 representatives from M&S contractors in the area. Impact surveys are distributed.
Hampton Roads Military & Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA) and their contracting lobbying firm Akin Gump prepare joint written responses for Virginia Congressional and Senatorial representatives, as well as local Mayors to Secretary Gates and President Obama in opposition of the closure of JFCOM
HRMFFA, Suffolk, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Akin Gump meet with the Governors Office of Commonwealth Preparedness
Friday, August 13, 2010 - Senator Webb issues press release and holds press conference speaking out against USJFCOM closure and questions the legality of the closure process
HRMFFA forms a subcommittee on the USJFCOM project to be headed by Mayor Johnson and Mayor Fraim
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - Mayor Johnson, City Manager and staff met with Congressman Forbes’ staff to discuss in detail our congressional delegation’s continued opposition to the proposed closure of JFCOM
Governor McDonell sends letters to President Obama and Secretary Gates opposing proposed closure of the USJFCOM
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - U.S. Representatives Randy Forbes, Bobby Scott, Glenn Nye, and Rob Wittman coordinate a roundtable with local elected officials and stakeholders
Thursday, August 19, 2010 - Suffolk to host a roundtable meeting with state, regional and local economic development and workforce development partners
Beginning of weekly USJFCOM subcommittee meetings
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - Senator Warner and Webb to coordinate a roundtable with local elected officials and stakeholders
Ongoing:
- Continued Support to our elected officials
- Continued Support to regional, state and federal partners
- Continued Communication with the surrounding business community
- Continued efforts to reach out for information from USJFCOM and the Secretary of Defense
- Continued efforts towards technology diversification and ongoing economic development marketing initiatives
- Congressman Forbes and Senator Webb have requested Congressional Hearings on the proposed closure of JFCOM
Potential Impact
Early Sample of Survey Results
Suffolk M&S Contractors
- 15 Suffolk based M&S contractors working with USJFCOM
- 2,000 Employees working for Suffolk M&S contractors
- 70% The amount of work tied to USJFCOM from the Suffolk M&S contractors
- 30% The number of Suffolk M&S contractors employees residing in Suffolk
Hotels (near USJFCOM)
- 80% Amount of business generated by USJFCOM / Suffolk M&S contractors
City of Suffolk
$2.5M - $4M Estimated impact to annual Suffolk tax revenue under the scenario of a complete closure of the USJFCOM Suffolk campus
Diversified Economy
2000 - 2009 - Capital Investment by Industy
Recent Announcements
- Suffolk City Council Creates Technology Zone - to support further industry diversification
- TowneBank - 29,000sqft Bank Branch and Office Building
- Bon Secours - 48,000sqft Medical Arts Building Expansion
- Cobham Composite Products - 73,000sqft Manufacturing Facility
- Harbour View Shopping Center West - Harris Teeter
- Harbour View Shopping Center East - Kohls’
Projects Under Development
- TowneBank Member Service Center - Expansion
- Taylor’s Do-it-Center
- Chick-fil-a