Highlights positive impact of operations on MetroWest economy

NATICK - Today, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Malden), dean of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, visited the United States Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSCC) and received a briefing from the NSSC’s Senior Commander, Brigadier General Harold J. Greene and his command team on the technological products that the NSCC team is currently developing.

Rep. Markey toured the facility to view firsthand the NSSC team working to test and advance products that will ensure American soldiers are outfitted with the most sophisticated equipment available. Rep. Markey met with the scientists and laboratory administrators who work every day to carry out the mission of the NSSC of maximizing the combat effectiveness and survivability of American soldiers.

“I am continuously impressed with the work that is being done to at the Natick Soldier Systems Center to best equip the American soldier fighting on the battlefield," said Rep. Markey. “I commend the workers at the Natick Soldier Systems Center who have devoted their professional careers to ensuring our military is able to defend and protect the United States with the most cutting edge technologies available today.”

A longtime supporter of the NSSC, Rep. Markey has helped to secure federal funding for projects at the Natick facility and has repeatedly protected the Center from being closed or realigned as part of the federal base closure commission process.”  The NSSC employs over 2,000 civilians, soldiers, and contractors and has an operating budget of approximately $800 million dollars per year. Between Hanscom Air Force Base, also partially in Rep. Markey’s 7th Congressional district, and the NSSC, over $3.5 billion is pumped into the MetroWest economy each year through contracts from the Department of Defense, resulting in 30,000 direct and indirect jobs created in Massachusetts.

“The Natick Soldier SystemsCenter has always been the brainpower of the Department of Defense and it has had a tremendous impact on our local economy in Massachusetts and the MetroWest,” Rep Markey said. “I will continue to fight for Natick Labs to ensure that this MetroWest economic engine remains open, expands, and thrives into the future.”
 
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Rep. Markey receives briefing at the Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) from Dr. John "Jack" Obusek (left) and NSSC’s Senior Commander, Brigadier General Harold J. Greene (right)