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Workforce Analysis
Economic Development
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
In collaboration with the Bluegrass Area Development District, MWM Consulting executed the Economic Resiliency Plan for the Blue Grass Army Depot, a key military installation pivotal to America's defense strategy.
Blue Grass Army Depot
The Blue Grass Army Depot, located in Madison County, Kentucky, is a sprawling 15,000-acre military installation established during World War II, playing a crucial role in America's national defense. It's notably home to the United States' last remaining chemical weapons stockpile, which is currently undergoing destruction. This complex process involves a dedicated workforce of 1,800 employees tasked with neutralizing 523 tons of blister and nerve agents. The Depot not only serves as a key element in the country's military infrastructure but also stands at the forefront of a significant environmental and security initiative, marking a pivotal moment in both national safety and environmental stewardship.
THE CHALLENGE
As the Bluegrass Army Depot approaches the end of its chemical weapons destruction mission, the imminent release of 1,800 specialized employees into the job market poses a significant challenge. MWM Consulting undertook a study to successfully retain the workforce and evaluate diversifying the regional economy, attract new industries capable of recapturing and employing this highly skilled workforce and thus reducing dependence on defense related programs.
THE SOLUTION
MWM Consulting concentrated on assessing the financial implications of the chemical weapons demilitarization project, workforce dynamics, market conditions, and target industries. The study involved mapping reemployment pathways for the Depot’s chemical demilitarization workforce, emphasizing opportunities to leverage Kentucky’s industrial needs and attract new industries that align with transferable skills, particularly focusing on key industries poised to recapture the workforce.
THE RESULT
The initiative led by MWM Consulting provided a comprehensive assessment of a highly skilled workforce comprising almost 1,800 individuals and the identification of five target industries with high probability fo successfully recapturing the workforce. The identification of five target industries for Madison County considered regional, state, and national growth trends, as well as the County’s key assets. The strategic recruitment of new industries, aligning with the workforce’s skillets, aims to enhance economic diversion and provide new opportunities to successfully transfer the workforce to civilian industries.