Congressman Ben Chandler's Office says he's arranged a meeting for next week to discuss possible layoffs at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond. “It is critical to the future of our region that we protect good paying jobs at Blue Grass Army Depot that support both our troops and Kentucky’s economy,” said Chandler. “Blue Grass Army Depot has long been a source of pride for Central Kentucky, and I will fight to prevent these layoffs.”

Chandler's Office says the meeting is between local officials and the Pentagon. It will be part of a Commerce Lexington fly-in in Washington next week. Depot representatives and other local leaders will discuss what can be done to protect the Depot in the long term with officials from the Army, Joint Munitions Command, the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, and others.

“Our military facilities in and around the Bluegrass Region have a significant impact on our economy,” said Bob Quick, Commerce Lexington Inc. President and CEO. “The Blue Grass Army Depot has been a focus of the Central Kentucky Regional Public Policy Group’s D.C. Fly-In priorities for several years, both from an economic development standpoint and from a security standpoint. We look forward to meeting with Congressman Chandler and Pentagon officials next week to find a solution to this issue.”