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Show The Salt Lake Tribune, Thursday, Jane 12, 1975, GREEN RIVER (AP) - The Green • River area is experiencing the phasedown of a major "industry," but many people seem to be trying to take it in stride. One spokesman, in fact, predicted much of the slack will be taken up by the community's other industries - farming, tourism, mining -and the railroads, The: industry being phased down,;-at least for now, is the .missile site east of Green River that* since 1984 has fired''scores of missiles at targets in New Mexico, The site las had work forces averaging better than 200 persons and annual payrolls of $2,5 .million. But spokesmen at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., which, operates the Utah site, announced recently it will be cut back by September to a "caretaker" status, with a staff of 21 people to maintain security and fire-fighting services. Spokesmen said the facility could again be used for missile firing operations if the need arises, although nothing is anticipated in the foreseeable future. Lose Benefits "Although we regret losing the benefits of the launch site, we aren't dependent upon it," said Jim Hurst, the airport manager and aviation contractor who is active in civic affairs at Green River. City Councilman Jim Ramsay agreed. "The phaseout won't stop us in our tracks, but we will lose some money," Mr. Ramsay said. "But I don't think it will be that effective. "I hate to see it happen, but I don't know how to do anything about it," Mr. Ramsay,said, He said when a payroll is taken out of a community, everyone feels the pinch. But Green River has planned on this for several months, Mr. Ramsay said, and no business should suffer more than others. The Green River facility has seen test firings of Athena and Fershing missiles since the first Athena was fired early in 1964 before a gathering of generals, national media and dignitaries. Since then, the site has been a hub of activity as military and contractor personnel came and went with each I program. Hundfeds of troops [ Logistical services provided by Dynalectron Corp., Albuquerque, N.M., won't be needed as long as no launch-ings take place, he said. Mr: Lovelady said 53 of the 71 Dynalectron employes at the site will lose their jobs. The remaining 18 will work as security guards arid fire fighters, he said. Three government employes at the facility will also remain, he said, Mr. Hurst said the site has been phasing down operations for some time now. For Green River, it won't have that much effect, he said, since there are other good paying jobs in the area. • Better Jobs ' • "We are losing some of our younger people, but many of them are going to Carbon County where there are better jobs in the coal mines," he said. "There has also been an influx in recreational boating activities down the Green River." The community of about 1,200 isn't dependent on any one industry, he said. Farming and ranching, tourism, mining and the railroads are the big employers, he said. In the past two years there have been increased oil and uranium drilling operations, plus more recreational floating down the Green River, Mr. Hurst said. Mr. Ramsay said that there is also talk of renewed construction of Interstate 70, which could also help provide jobs for persons unemployed due to the military phasedown. Mr. Ramsay said 12 Green River residents work at the launch site. Other employes of the site live in Moab, 48 miles to the southeast, and a few commute from the Price area, about 60 miles northwest of Green River. "Several of the Green River residents who work at the facility also have their own farms and ranches," Mr, Ramsay said. "But some only work at the facility. They'll probably have to relocate." He said there are work openings in the Green River area if the people wish to stay and work for lower wages. "There will be three or four of the workers who will probably stay in Green River regardless," Mr. Ramsay said. pitched their tents for several weeks at a time to fire missiles. Firings End But the firings of Athena, a research missile, ended at Green River two years ago after 143 launches. Scheduled firings of Pershing, an Army artillery missile, end June 25 with two final firings. Two were fired Wednesday. Phaseout of the logistical support and other services will begin about July 1, said James R. Lovelady, chief of public affairs at White Sands. It should be completed by August or September, he said. |