It’s All Hands On Deck as Charles County Rallies Around the NSWC Indian Head Modernization Plan

With the war in Russia and Ukraine, then Israel and Hamas, and increased threats worldwide, the U.S. Navy is planning to modernize and drastically increase munitions production at the nation’s only public arsenal. That arsenal is the NSWC Indian Head, what many Charles County residents simply refer to as “the naval base in Indian Head”.

Built in 1890, our naval base has long been the Navy’s only arsenal. Business was “booming” during World War II, with 10,000 people working there around the clock manufacturing munitions. The work continued through the Vietnam War, and the U.S. had a fairly large stockpile of weaponry. The Navy didn’t have to make it around the clock like they had, so they mostly stopped.

With today’s growing tensions, we need to quickly build that arsenal back up, but it’s not as easy as just turning the machines back on. To bring manufacturing back to what it once was, the Navy needs to fix its only arsenal. Hence, the Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan (ECMP) to bring the NSWC IHD up to the 21^st century.

This is a really big deal.

The Command’s Technical Director, Ashley Johnson, told the Charles County Board of Commissioners in November 2023, “The Navy and the Nation are looking squarely at Indian Head to jump in front of this problem [munitions shortage]. We need to rally to this because we really are the only ones left with the capacity right here in Charles County. Most private facilities are at full capacity.  There are national and international companies looking to make Indian Head home to meet this need. There is an expectation of ‘we need you to do this.’”

Because of the need, resources are coming. The modernization plan will include 500 infrastructure projects over the next 10 years and receive a projected $1.1 Billion in funds from the Navy. Right now, there are 2,700 people on base. Public Affairs Officer Matt O’ Neal said, "In five years our manufacturing efforts could double, with plants operating around the clock." What does that mean for the traffic around Indian Head? O’Neal said, "More traffic means growth; more opportunity for businesses to come to the community.”

Turning the manufacturing facilities back on is a lot of work, but also, much of the brain power isn’t still here.  Additionally, a new smart arsenal brought up to the 21^st century will require a smart workforce with a higher level of training to operate it. The NSWC IHD wants to develop workforce programs, whether it be with the school systems or industry, to train people with unique skills who can hit the ground running.

Johnson said recently, “We want apprenticeships; we want people pipelines with Charles County and the State; we want kids to want to work for Indian Head and not necessarily go away for a four-year degree, but do something like an apprenticeship with the base. We’ll also need post-employment training.”

Most importantly, these will be good-paying jobs for our local residents and even those coming to the area to work. More people coming to work in Indian Head or even set up a business there will support the economic base of Western Charles County and improve the quality of life.

How Businesses Can Search for Opportunities

For businesses interested in doing business with the NSWC Indian Head, their Long Rang Acquisition Estimate (LRAE) is a great market research tool to see what work they anticipate coming out of the command in the near future. They update that list twice a year (typically June and December). A link to it is on their Small Business Page. An updated version is expected in a week or two.

The Small Business web page also hosts briefs from past Industry Day events. The IHD’s Small Business Director, Jennifer Barnidge, invites any small businesses who wish to introduce themselves, send capability statements, or have questions on their process to email her at jennifer.n.barnidge.civ@us.navy.mil

The next Command-wide Industry Day event is anticipated to be held at the CSM Velocity Center on April 26, 2024. Planning is in the works!

Partnering Together

The Charles County Commissioners recognize this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Town of Indian Head and Charles County and have included a goal in their 2024 Goals and Objectives that specifically speaks to supporting the NSWC IHD’s modernization plan. “To be able to support the revitalization of infrastructure and continue the very important work that goes on there well into the future is a top priority,” said Economic Development Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle.

She continued, “There is a lot of work to be done. From an economic development standpoint, we’re excited to be at the table with the Charles County Military Alliance Council (MAC), Town of Indian Head, USBTA, Energetics Technology Center, College of Southern Maryland, Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Military & Federal Affairs, and others. We plan to bring other partners into this initiative as we move forward. We’re already having coordination meetings and establishing our priority lists and bringing people into the discussions as our priorities are getting lined up.”

The CCEDD is committed to keeping abreast of developments at the NSWC IHD as they modernize, and we have plans to update the website and keep citizens informed through blogs like this, our bi-weekly Enews (sign up here), and social media posts. We have also devoted most of our advertising budget for FY23-24 to the defense industry.

Photo credit: U.S. Navy photographer, Matthew Poynor