Missouri officials are opposing potential cuts of 5,400 civilian and military jobs at Fort Leonard Wood by 2020 because of the potential impact on surrounding areas and the state.
The proposed cuts are part of a broader force reduction plan that would draw down the Army from a war-time high of 570,000 to as few as 420,000 personnel by 2020.
A listening session was held Monday at the sprawling Army post, and Missouri lawmakers and statewide elected officials planned to express their opposition there.
Rep. Steve Lynch, R-Waynesville, whose district includes part of Fort Leonard Wood, said the cuts would have a noticeable impact. He said Missouri needs to make its case for keeping those jobs.
"It's all about jobs and it's all about revenue. There's no other threat for job loss in the state greater than at Fort Leonard Wood," Lynch said.
The base supports about 36,400 direct and indirect jobs and the total economic output of personnel spending is about $2.1 billion, according to a 2013 study by the state's Department of Economic Development.
Fort Leonard Wood is already scheduled to lose about 1,200 positions by October as part of the Army's plan to deal with budget cuts. Lynch said the original proposal would have cut 3,900 jobs, and he attributed the lower final number to efforts at previous listening sessions.
U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, Gov. Jay Nixon, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Attorney General Chris Koster and Secretary of State Jason Kander were all scheduled to be at Monday's hearing, Lynch said. State lawmakers ended their session early to attend.
That type of statewide official turnout, along with officials from state departments and public universities, demonstrates Missouri's commitment to Fort Leonard Wood, Lynch said.