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National Security Associates breaks ground
for new location in Chattahoochee
for new location in Chattahoochee
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By RICHARD HARRIS (From the 1-25-06 issue)
A small explosion blew a door open and officers rushed through with their weapons ready during the groundbreaking of the new National Security Associates (NSA) location in Chattahoochee County last Friday, Jan. 20. It was one of several demonstrations designed to help those in attendance understand what NSA is all about, but it was also symbolic of what seems to be the beginning of explosive growth in the Cusseta area.
Mike Gaymon, president/CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, noted that NSA could have located “anywhere in
Larry Dillard, chairman of the Commission of the Consolidated Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, said it had been 30 years since such a major economic announcement hit Cusseta. Of course, he probably wasn’t counting the day before when the local government auctioned off 332 acres for more than a million dollars to a developer who anticipates a coming boom in the local housing market (see separate article).
Dillard first thanked NSA President Tony Oxford, but also expressed appreciation to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Partnership (an organization represented by many counties in the area to promote growth throughout the region).
Cusseta resident Dallas Jankowksi, who is chairman of the Valley Partnership, said it was a “great day,” adding that what’s good for one county in the partnership is good for all of them. She likened the connection between the various counties in the area to a spider’s cobweb, saying they are all connected on many different levels.
“Our public-private partnership is creating new jobs for the region,” said Jankowski. “Ten years ago the Valley Partnership was formed and since then we have realized that when jobs are created in one of our member communities, all of our communities win. We all win because employees will drive to where the jobs are.”
The presence of NSA will also connect the local community with the rest of nation, as the company will use the 693 acres to train people from all over in matters of security, including anti-terrorism. Oxford noted that NSA was also celebrating 10 years in business and already has a long list of clients, including around 30 federal agencies (from the FBI and the Department of Defense to the U.S. Postal Service and the Census Bureau). Of course, one would assume that locating in Cusseta as nearby Fort Benning begins a major expansion will only increase its work with the U.S. Army.
NSA also works with local-level agencies and law enforcement. As an example, the Centerville Police Department performed all of the demonstrations conducted for the groundbreaking ceremony. Several area law enforcement agencies were represented at the event, including local Sheriff Glynn Cooper of Chattahoochee County and Muscogee County Sheriff Ralph Johnson.
Oxford said NSA expects to initially create around 20 jobs at its new Cusseta location. They also expect to train around 40 students per week (around 2,000 a year). That number is expected to increase, perhaps substantially, in the future.
Oxford said his first priority is construction of a 10,000 square-foot education building in which classes will be taught. They will also construct many outdoor training stations, such as the entry doors used in the demonstration last Friday. Plans include an underground tunnel system, one and two-story houses, shotgun breaching facility, counter ambush range, an open area unarmed “CQB” training facility, a technology center, and 10 sites where special action portable ranges can be placed as needed for special unit training. Oxford said he expects to have several ranges “up and running” by this July.
“This site will provide us with a southeastern training facility for National Security Center of Advance Tactical Training and Research, as well as a supply outlet for National Security associates,” said Oxford. “This training facility will be used to train military, law enforcement and homeland security first responders.”