The US Navy’s $1.1 billion investment in NSWC Indian Head over the next 10 years will affect not just the Naval facility, but also the Charles County community, especially those in the Western Charles County Technology Corridor. The Charles County Economic Development Department (CCEDD) has been working closely with the NSWC Indian Head to coordinate county development projects and support infrastructure improvements and personnel growth outside the gate as the naval base plans to modernize and drastically increase munitions production.
Charles County will reap the benefits of having a naval base that is receiving a lot of national attention and funding. The U.S. Navy is planning to modernize and drastically increase munitions production at the nation’s only public arsenal due to a national munitions shortage. There are national and international companies looking to make Indian Head home to meet this need. As one of the County’s major employers, they are set to bring in more high-paying jobs, opportunities for local businesses, addition commercial tax revenue, and workforce training opportunities like Charles County has never seen before.
Opportunities for Charles County Businesses
The Navy’s $1.1 billion investment will be spread across 500 infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. This investment will open up opportunities for local businesses to potentially bid on these projects. Having that type of investment in Charles County will be extremely impactful.
The NSWC Indian Head currently has about 2,500 government civilians and 500 contractors. Technical Director Ashley Johnson stated in a recent SEAPOWER magazine article, “I might have to add 500 to 700 individuals just in our manufacturing operations alone to meet the demand signal. They’re [the jobs] going to government civilians, contractors, and partners like Aerojet people who are going to be working here side-by-side with our guys. We’re just going to get bigger. Indian Head is already, on any given day, the largest employer in the county.”
Commercial Development and Redevelopment Equals Additional Commercial Tax Revenue
New commercial development and redevelopment opportunities translate into additional commercial tax revenue. Right now, there are about 2,700 people located behind the gate of the base, and manufacturing is on a nine-to-five schedule. Within the next five years, manufacturing on the base will occur 24/7, which means more foot traffic. CCEDD Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle said recently in another SEAPOWER magazine article, “We expect an increase in commercial enterprises setting up on the western side of Indian Head, attracted by the growing population. We hope to welcome various businesses, from retail stores and restaurants to service providers, to address the current scarcity in these sectors.”
New Job Opportunities and Workforce Training
Equally important are the new jobs and workforce training opportunities that will be created. As the base’s manufacturing facilities upgrade to meet modern “smart arsenal” standards, there will be a substantial need for a knowledgeable, 21st-century “smart workforce.” The CCEDD is collaborating with NSWC Indian Head and other strategic partners, including Charles County Public Schools, College of Southern Maryland, and Energetics Technology Center, to develop advanced workforce programs.
These initiatives will train individuals in the specialized skills necessary for operating energetics manufacturing effectively, and they include on-the-job apprenticeships. The goal is to provide residents with experience at NSWC Indian Head with local, full-time employment opportunities. Robertson-Slagle said, “We are actively seeking these opportunities and are also focused on sparking interest in younger generations to sustain local workforce engagement. We must be able to expand our workforce pipeline in Charles County.”
The EDD is also working with Charles County Public Schools to provide students with opportunities to interact with the base, experience the technology, and gain an understanding of the energetics fields. Robertson-Slagle said, “Our goal is that whether they pursue vocational training, higher education, or construction-related courses, their experiences will encourage them to return to Indian Head. We hope they know they will have a job to return to with excellent pay, a good quality of life, and a place where they will want to set up shop and raise their families.”
Opportunities are sure to be found as the NSWC Indian Head and surrounding Western Charles County continue to grow and thrive. Visit our Defense and Federal Contracting page for more information.
