NMD to bring money to Alaska

Alaska’s economy will be $400 million richer over the next year and a half due to the construction of national missile defense sites.

Work started on the NMD site at Fort Greely this week. It will house five silos, a revamped radar system, satellite communications and a new command center. A 500-person construction camp is going up near the base.

The project is expected to be worth $150 million to Alaska this fiscal year and another $250 million in 2003.

The U.S. military also plans to upgrade radar facilities at Shemya Island in the Aleutian Islands and launch interceptor rockets from Kodiak.

The NMD system also includes facilities in California, Colorado and in the Pacific Ocean.

Construction of these sites will cost the United States $7.5 billion over three years.