Local leaders and Air Reserve Station officials break ground on a new $5.2 million C-130 simulator this morning. (PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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U.S. Rep. Chris Collins speaks at the C-130 simulator groundbreaking this morning.

NIAGARA FALLS — The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station broke ground this morning on a C-130 simulator with the help of many local dignitaries.

This $5.2 million facility is being built on the installation and will continue efforts to provide the opportunity for more efficient military operations in Western New York, according to the ARS.

"The addition of this simulator will increase the combat readiness of the 914th Airlift Wing and make the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station a premier Northeast training destination for U.S. Air Force C-130 units from around the world," said Col. Steven Parker, 914th Airlift Wing Commander.

The 11,250 square-foot facility will house a state-of-the-art simulator which will have full-motion and visibility and provide a platform to fulfill flight training at a lower cost. It is anticipated that this simulator will bring over 450 members of C-130 crews to the base each year for training and provide approximately 18 full-time jobs.

The addition, which will bring an influx of money into the Western New York economy, was made possible through a joint effort of many local leaders, according to Niagara County Legislature Chairman Bill Ross.

"To get a win-win situation, you have to have all groups working together," he said, specifically praising congressmen Chris Collins and Brian Higgins, who were both in attendance at the event, as well as former Congresswoman Kathy Hochul, who was also at the groundbreaking. Hochul is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Congressmen Collins and Higgins took a break from partisanship to offer mutual praise.

"I've been very happy to see the bipartisan support when it comes to the airbase," said Collins, R-Clarence.

Since surviving the last Base Realignment and Closure Committee recommendations, NFARS has remained a great contributor to the Western New York economy and continues to be the premier military installation and federal campus in WNY.

The simulator "will assure that this base is never on anybody's BRAC again," Collins said.

Congressman Higgins, D-Buffalo, added that local leaders are trying to "position this station for future missions. ... This C-130 flight simulator will add to the array of the great services that this facility provides."

"Our strategy over the years has been to build on what we have ... and make it a place that the Air Force could not ever afford to close, " said John Cooper of the Niagara Military Affairs Council. "This is a great day for this base."

Dave Kimelberg, CEO of Seneca Holdings, which will be constructing the project, said construction will begin immediately and the developer is hoping to have it completed in 540 days, allowing for a winter 2015 opening.

"We're committed to providing an exemplary final product," Kimelberg said.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry Snyder, Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey, Niagara County Department of Economic Development Commissioner Samuel Ferraro, and Niagara County Manager Jeff Glatz.

Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry Snyder talks with Arlene Bova of Seneca Nation Holdings, the company that is buidling the $5.2 million project.

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