Thompson, Marino Introduce Legislation to Authorize Transfer of Vacated Mifflin County Army Reserve Center to Derry Township

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson together with Representative Tom Marino have introduced H.R. 6285, a bill to transfer the closed Mifflin County Army Reserve Center to Derry Township Pennsylvania for use as a regional police headquarters and to serve other public purposes.

“The vacated Army Reserve Center in Mifflin County offers local law enforcement a needed facility upgrade and expansion,” said Rep. Thompson. “After years of negotiating with the Government Services Administration and U.S. Army, we have realized the property has been stuck in bureaucratic limbo. In order to cut the red tape, this legislation would authorize the U.S. Army to transfer what is currently a vacant property to Derry Township, in order to serve as a headquarters for the Mifflin County Regional Police.”

“Transfer of the Army Reserve Center to Derry Township will offer a practical and immediate solution to the expansion of the township’s essential services,” said Rep. Marino. “Providing local authorities with adequate resources is the key to encouraging effective governance at every level. This facility will benefit not only the Regional Police Department and several municipal offices, but also the people they serve within the community.”

“Derry Township has been actively pursuing procurement of the building for several years,” said Derry Township Secretary Kelly Shutes. “Authorizing the federal government to convey this property would be a huge win for the Township and our ability offer local government services.”

“This facility would greatly enhance the daily operations of the Mifflin County Regional Police Department, by increasing the level of safety for both officers and citizens,” said Chief of Police Scott A. Mauery, Mifflin County Regional Police Department.

The Mifflin County Army Reserve Center was closed in 2008, and has been sitting vacant since that time. H.R. 6285 would authorize the U.S. Army Secretary to convey to Derry Township all right, title, and interest in the property for the purpose of permitting the Township to use the parcel for a regional police headquarters and other public purposes.

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