8:13 a.m., April 20, 2009----University of Delaware representatives joined Congressman Michael N. Castle (R-Del.) Thursday, April 16, on a tour of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), which is undergoing a massive expansion to house high-technology Army programs that local officials hope will provide an economic stimulus to Delaware.

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Through the Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) program, Castle said that 8,000 jobs are being created at APG, with many of those moving from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

An additional 16,000 jobs could be created to serve the needs of the expanded APG.

APG will house the Army's C4ISR complex, which encompasses command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. As a result, many of the jobs being created are in highly technical areas.

“We are talking about high quality jobs,” Castle said, covering science, engineering and computer science.

The Congressional delegation, state and county officials and University of Delaware representatives are working together to draw as many of those workers - and spin-off jobs -- as possible.

Castle said New Castle County has a wealth of resources to offer, and noted that UD is the nearest major university to APG.

“The University of Delaware, with all its capabilities, infrastructure and knowledge-based assets is the closest Category 1 Research University to APG,” added David Weir, director of UD's Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships, who joined Castle on the tour.

According to Weir, “The BRAC program represents a significant opportunity for UD to meet some of the Army's needs. This will result in significant benefit to the University and the stimulation of economic development in Delaware. ”

To take advantage of this appointment, Weir said, “the University has been discussing a variety of partnership opportunities with the Army commands at APG including recruitment of UD graduates, internships for UD undergraduate students, graduate education and expanded research collaborations.”

Karl Kalbacher, New Castle County director of redevelopment, said local officials are putting on a “full court press” to make the case for employees and spin-off companies locating in Delaware.

Jeff Stone, director of infrastructure and intergovernmental relations for the Delaware Economic Development Office, said New Castle County offers terrific assets, including UD, the work force, the educational system and the business community.

APG is about to become “one of the highest technology locations in the world - state of the art,” he said, agreeing that this represents “a tremendous opportunity” for Delaware.

New Castle County Executive Chris Coons said a key to linking Delaware to APG is improved rail service, which he said “will make Delaware more attractive for people who work at Aberdeen to live here.”

Article by Neil Thomas
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson