HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/06/02 RESOLUTION BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN SUPPORT OF SAAB BARRACUDA AND ITS CONTINUED OPERATION IN LILLINGTON, NCHarnett
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RESOLUTION BY THE HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS �.wnuaao
IN SUPPORT OF SAAB BARRACUDA AND ITS CONTINUED OPERATION
IN LILLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
THAT WHEREAS, Saab Barracuda has been a trusted partner with the U.S. Department of
Defense for more than a decade, operating a facility in Harnett County since 2002; and
WHEREAS, the company provides a valuable and needed technology to our nation's Armed
Forces as the only qualified U.S. manufacturer of ULCANS advanced multispectral camouflage products
identified by the U.S. Department of Defense; and
WHEREAS, Saab Barracuda has a strong record of performance and has played a tremendous
role in helping to protect the American soldier over the last 12 years; and
WHEREAS, the majority of Saab Barracuda's business comes from Department of Defense
purchases; and
WHEREAS, the drawdown of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan has drastically reduced Department
of Defense orders from Saab Barracuda, negatively impacting the company's workforce and its ability to
continue to support the Armed Forces in the future; and
WHEREAS, this has resulted in Saab Barracuda's workforce going from more than 200
employees in 2004/2005 to a current workforce of 67 employees; and
WHEREAS, without assistance, the Saab Group may be forced to shut down the Saab Barracuda
plant in Harnett County and relocate the company -owned technology to Sweden; and
WHEREAS, if Saab Barracuda were to close, the U.S. Military would lose the only domestic
supplier of ULCANS products and could potentially lose access to the proprietary technologies; and
WHEREAS, the closure of the Saab Barracuda plant would negatively impact the Harnett County
economy through the loss of a preferred employer with competitive wages and benefits; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Harnett County Board of Commissioners:
1. Supports the continued operation of Saab Barracuda in Harnett County;
2. Wishes to make known the impact of Saab Barracuda and its continued operation to the
Harnett County economy and to the U.S. Military; and
3. Directs that a copy of this resolution be sent to members of Harnett County's
Congressional delegation.
Adopted this 2nd day of June 2014.
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