Monday, February 08, 2010 - 7:56:11 PM

Local News

Hinchey Secures Millions for Lockheed's VH-71 Project - 7/17/2009

Congressman Maurice Hinchey will be in Binghamton on Monday to discuss 485 million dollars he secured,

To continue Lockheed Martin's Increment One development of the helicopter fleet.

But Lockheed says they won't know how this funding will affect the 600 Lockheed employees who were just laid off this week, until both the senate and house approve a budget bill and the president signs it.

However, Hinchey remains optimistic that this funding will be approved and jobs will be saved.

"The elimination of several hundred jobs there, which had been predicted because of the expected elimination of this funding, that will not take place with the introduction of this funding, this 485 million dollars," said Hinchey.

But how are Hinchey's efforts being received by Owego area residents, and business owners who have a lot to lose with Lockheed's job losses. Do they believe the program can still be saved?

"The bill has to be passed. First Obama said he was trying to create jobs then why is he getting rid of jobs? Two, we spent 4 billion dollars on a project and we're just going to mothball it? They have to do it, you can't just take four billion dollars and throw it down the toilet. That's your money, that's my money--that's taxpayers' money," said Cellar Restaurant Owner Bob Layman.

"It's pretty devastating to the area, you realize 600 jobs--that's probably a good 1% of the total population," said Flower Petal Owner Carol Cobb.

If Hinchey's funds are approved, it would only apply to Increment One of the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Project.

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