Pueblo Jobs Act Signed Into Law!
Congresswoman Boebert’s Pueblo Jobs Act was signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The passage of this bill will provide a much-needed economic boost in the region and create at least 1,000 jobs. This historic piece of legislation is Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s first bill signed into law.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) said, “The Pueblo Jobs Act will create at least a 1,000 new jobs in Pueblo and repurpose billions of dollars of infrastructure from the Pueblo Chemical Depot, providing southern Colorado with a much-needed economic boost. This bipartisan and bicameral effort was locally-driven and crafted from the bottom-up. Special thanks to the local officials, the House Armed Services Committee, and the outstanding individuals at PuebloPlex who worked with me to get this important legislation done.”
Background:
On Friday, the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was officially signed into law by the President. Congresswoman Boebert’s bipartisan Pueblo Jobs Act was a key element of this bill and will create at least 1,000 jobs following the closure of the Pueblo Chemical Depot.
This legislation ensures that the federal government adheres to the rigorous Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process under the supervision of the Secretary of the Army. This strategic move provides certainty for Pueblo's economic landscape and fosters the creation of future employment opportunities.
Back in 1988, the Base Closure Commission recommended the realignment of the Pueblo Chemical Depot, exempting 7,000 acres, including the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) and additional facilities, from standard BRAC requirements. Congresswoman Boebert's Pueblo Jobs Act closes this loophole, safeguarding the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment represented by PCAPP and the additional facilities on the protected 7,000 acres. The bill ensures that this valuable infrastructure will actively contribute to Pueblo's prosperity, rather than facing demolition. With the passage of Congresswoman Boebert's bill, PuebloPlex is already working with industries to harness this remarkable facility for the creation of high-paying jobs in Pueblo.
The Pueblo Jobs Act, championed by Congresswoman Boebert, mandates the adherence to the standard BRAC process by the Army, yielding several benefits for the Pueblo community. This legislation prevents billions of dollars of infrastructure from being torn down and bulldozed. The bill enables PuebloPlex to access federal grant funding for planning and mitigating the economic impacts of the Chemical Depot closure. The Pueblo Jobs Act allows Pueblo to receive substantial environmental indemnifications, aiding in the redevelopment and reuse of the property. The legislation allows for conveyance of the property at less-than-fair market value for economic development purposes. Collectively, these resources are pivotal in sustaining Pueblo as the Chemical Depot undergoes closure, welcoming new businesses to the area.
Some of the economic development and job opportunities the Pueblo Jobs Act support include PuebloPlex, the Pueblo Memorial Airport Industrial Park, the federal Transportation Technology Center, and the implementation of a regional workforce development project led by local colleges including Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University-Pueblo.
Throughout the legislative process, Congresswoman Boebert collaborated closely with PuebloPlex, Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet, Congressman Doug Lamborn, and the House Armed Services Committee.
The full text of the Pueblo Jobs Act is available here.
Additional NDAA Information Courtesy of the House Armed Services Committee:
The focus of this year's NDAA is on strengthening the military in response to threats from Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China. The bill authorizes $886.3 billion in national defense funding and aims to enhance benefits for servicemembers, including a 5.2% pay increase, allocation of $280 million for new schools for military children, and correction of personnel files for those discharged for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
The NDAA also addresses "wokeness" in the military by banning Critical Race Theory, implementing a pay cap on DEI programs, introducing a Parents' Bill of Rights in DoD schools, and cutting climate change programs.
To address global threats and protect our borders, the bill modernizes the nuclear triad, prohibits sourcing operational energy from Russia or China, prevents the retirement of certain capabilities, increases funding for military construction and logistics, reassesses missile defense posture due to North Korea's ICBM developments, mandates the use or transfer of border wall materials to border states, and addresses threats posed by fentanyl trafficking. Additionally, the bill fully funds the deployment of National Guardsmen in support of Border Patrol activities.
To read the full NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, click here.