Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Naval Station Newport will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday for the arrival of a new command and with it 20 military positions and 40 civilian jobs.

The arrival of the Center for Service Support underscores how Newport emerged from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process with a bright future as a Navy education center. The federal initiative resulted in the downsizing, closing and consolidation of many military installations.

The Center for Service Support shut down in Athens, Ga., late in June, and will resume operations Wednesday in Fitzgerald Hall on Coasters Harbor Island. The command oversees 13 Service Support schools around the country, which provides training in administration, logistics and media for officers and sailors.

"It's a big deal ... It represents more employment in this state," base spokeswoman Lisa Rama said.

Many of the civilian employees in Athens, Ga., chose not to relocate, which will result in the need for hiring in Newport, Rama said.

Officer Candidate School moved to Newport in 2008, bringing with it not only jobs but the many students who go through the program, although it had been based out of Newport until 1993, Rama said. Chief Warrant Officer/Limited Duty Officer School also arrived that year.

The Navy Supply Corps School, also leaving Athens, is slated to open in January in Newport for the first time, bringing 2,500 students a year, 100 active-duty position and 80 civilian jobs.

 Tags  Center for Support Service Naval Station Newport Newport RI US Navy

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