Source: The News-Enterprise
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who joined with other Kentucky leaders to encourage the Army to place its new corps headquarters at Fort Knox, came to Radcliff to share in the community celebration Friday.
McConnell specifically praised the work of Knox Regional Development Alliance, a private organization started in 2015 to promote the post with an emphasis on increasing military investment here and attracting new missions.
Beth Avey, vice president of KRDA, said praise belongs to the thousands of quality employees on post and a supportive community.
“Really it is the community and their work to support soldiers and families that is a testament to us being able to tell the story of Fort Knox and that great installation and this great community,” Avey said at a news conference held at Colvin Community Center following a luncheon for McConnell with community and business leaders from four counties including the KRDA board.
The Fifth Corps, also known as V Corps, will bring a ninth general officer mission to the post. Commanded by a three-star general, it will have 635 soldiers here plus a rotating group of 200 in Europe.
Radcliff Mayor J.J. Duvall said the Army’s announcement “solidified what we know and the rest of the world knows now, we are a world-class installation.”
McConnell left Radcliff with a thousand accolades plus a couple gifts. Noting that Friday was Valentine’s Day, Duvall gave McConnell an I Love Radcliff T-shirt featuring a large heart. After the news conference, community advocate Barbara Proffitt gave him one of her signature pecan pies.
McConnell said expects the corps’ arrival this fall to be met with similar enthusiasm.
“When the Fifth Corps officially activates here later this year, I’m very confident they are going to get a big warm welcome from this great community.”