Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard will host a public forum on Tuesday, Nov. 17, featuring leadership from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany to discuss the base’s economic impact on Albany-Dougherty County and Southwest Georgia. With more than 5,000 employees, the base is Albany’s largest employer and has an annual impact of $1.6 billion.

Presenting on behalf of the base will be Col. James Carroll III, commanding officer of MCLB Albany, and Col. Jeff Hooks, commanding officer of Marine Depot Maintenance Command.

“MCLB Albany is a proud community member of Albany-Dougherty County,” Carroll said. “The bond this installation shares with the local community is unlike anywhere in the Marine Corps. We are the number one civilian employer locally, significantly contributing to the economic vitality across the region through the mutually beneficial relationship we share with the surrounding communities.” 

In addition to MCLB, the presentation will include Dr. Christopher Blasy, chief of staff at the Carl Vinson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dublin. The Dublin center is the mother campus to Albany’s newly-opened Veterans Affairs Clinic aboard MCLB Albany, which is the clinic is the only veterans’ health facility in the region.

“The base has always been an important part of the community, and that relationship continues to be strengthened through partnerships and collaboration,” said Hubbard. “The new VA clinic aboard MCLB Albany provides needed medical services to veterans from throughout the region.”

The forum is the seventh in a series organized by the Mayor’s Coalition for Economic Development, whose mission is to educate the public on economic development and is comprised of volunteer community representatives.

The Nov. 17 forum is free to the public and will be held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. in room 100 of the Government Center, located at 222 Pine Ave. in downtown Albany.  A reception will be held in the lobby of the Government Center following the presentations. Refreshments will be prepared and served by culinary arts students from Turner Job Corps.