November 15, 2016 -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany was selected in early 2016 as one of three Marine Corps installations to pilot the implementation of the Corps’ new Installation Partnership Program.
Following a series of meetings with city and county government, nonprofit and educational leaders from Dougherty, Lee and Worth Counties, a final meeting was held at Albany Technical College, Albany, Georgia, recently.
Two partnership agreements were signed, with additional ones being finalized; one with Albany Technical College to open unpaid internship opportunities for students in certain fields; the other is a special weapons and tactics agreement with local law enforcement.
The IPP stems from legislation passed in 2013 and offers unique opportunities for military installations to form mutually beneficial partnerships with local communities.
Kent Morrison, executive director, MCLB Albany, identified two major benefits of this initiative as a way to formalize previous “handshake agreements” made with the community and a push to start thinking differently.
“This initiative allows us to think in a more proactive manner and continue to strengthen and build on existing community ties that made us one of the first pilot sites in the Marine Corps,” Morrison continued.
Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, agreed.
“This program is a great opportunity and a way to formalize existing agreements we have had in place for many years,” he said. “We are excited about the teamwork that exists and by working together, we can achieve much.”