LIMESTONE, Maine-- Senator Susan Collins was joined earlier today by Anthony Principi, former Veterans’ Secretary and Chairman of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) in a visit and tour of DFAS, Limestone, marking the first anniversary of the BRAC Commission’s decision to keep DFAS open and expand it. Principi and Senator Collins were also joined by Representative Mike Michaud and Governor Baldacci.
Senator Collins said, “I am grateful to Anthony Principi for his work on the BRAC Commission and for honoring his commitment to listen to the people working at DFAS, Limestone. I have always argued that Aroostook County has one of the most dedicated and hard working workforces in the country. I argued this fact especially hard during the BRAC hearings.”
Senator Collins noted Principi’s comments during the BRAC hearings when he called DFAS Limestone one of the “highest quality DFAS facilities in the system.”
Senator Collins said that she was pleased to see first-hand how well the work to expand the facility's capability, which is scheduled to be completed by September 15th, is progressing.
The Department of Defense’s “Transformation Business Plan” projects staffing to be up to 664 employees in fiscal year 2008. Prior to the BRAC Commission’s decision to retain and expand DFAS, 351 individuals were employed at the Limestone facility. Today, there are 449 workers, many of which came from local Maine communities.
“I am grateful for Anthony Principi’s visit to Maine and look forward to the continued expansion of DFAS, Limestone and I know the area will continue to provide well qualified, hard working people to guarantee the continuing success of DFAS,” added Senator Collins.
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**Photo attached**
Pictured left to right: Congressman Mike Michaud (D-ME); Anthony Principi; Senator Susan Collins (R-ME); Governor John Baldacci (D-ME); and Zack Gaddy, Director of DFAS.