The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has granted $200,000 dollars toward the effort to keep state military bases open.
In Western Pennsylvania, those funds will help 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township make its case to the federal government. In recent years, the base has been on the list of the Pentagon's Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
State Sen. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny/Washington) and State Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) said the money will support the Pennsylvania Military Communities Protection Commission, which studies the bases and lobbies on their behalf.
"There will be some expenses incurred in D.C., whether it's getting people down there to testify, or hiring a firm down there to help navigate through the process," Mustio said. "Certainly there are some expenses on the ground here gathering information and getting those type of things prepared."
In March, the U.S. Department of Defense decided to keep the 911th open through fiscal 2013 and 2014. Mustio said he is not sure when the next review will come, but they want to be ready when that day arrives.
