VIENNA D.C. consulting firm to aid effort to save air base

WASHINGTON -- The Spectrum Group, a Washington, D.C., consulting firm, has been hired to assist in the effort to save the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna as the Base Realignment and Closure Commission plans to close up to 25 percent of the nation's military bases.
Spectrum will assess the air base to help the community understand and correct any potential weaknesses there and develop a strong positive message about its strengths and opportunities for growth, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th.
Pat Lowry, an aide to the congressman, said Spectrum would be paid out of state money directed by Gov. Bob Taft toward the effort to keep the base open, but Lowry said he didn't know how much the consultant would be paid.
Spectrum's team assigned to the Mahoning Valley's effort consists of two retired Air Force generals, a retired Air Force colonel, and a former director of economic adjustment at the Department of Defense.
One of the retired Air Force generals assigned to the local effort is Gen. J.B. Davis, one of eight members of the 1995 BRAC Commission, who then inspected the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.