Fort Riley — The possibility of a new round of base closings has people near this northeastern Kansas Army post nervous about what might happen if it were shut down.
The loss would affect the entire state, not just nearby Manhattan and Junction City. The base is among the state's top employers, pumping $577 million annually into the Kansas economy.
"The closure of that base would certainly have a major economic impact on that region and the whole state. There are few industries that generate that kind of economic impact in the state," said John Fowler, president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Fort Riley survived a round of base closings that began about 10 years ago. A new round for 2003 and 2005 has been proposed though not passed in the U.S. Senate.
More than 4,800 soldiers and civilians tied to the post live in Junction City, said Ken Burgoon, military affairs coordinator for the Junction City Chamber of Commerce.
About 3,000 Fort Riley civilian employees and soldiers live in Manhattan, said John Armbrust of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
But Fort Riley officials say it's unlikely the base is closing.
"We're not nervous," said base spokeswoman Christie Vanover "Congress has been supporting Fort Riley. Common sense would seem to show that if the government is putting millions of dollars into Fort Riley, we're here to stay for quite a while."
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