VoteJacksonville.com, a Jacksonville, Fla., coalition lobbying to relocate Oceana’s Naval Air Station to Cecil Field in Jacksonville, argues that the move would have a huge positive economic impact. According to a press release issued yesterday, it would:
- Bring more than 31,000 high-quality jobs to Jacksonville with an average salary of more than $50,000;
- Increase the economy of Jacksonville by $2.6 billion annually; and
- Improve the opportunities and lives of thousands of Jacksonville residents.
Jacksonville’s gain would be Hampton Roads’ loss. Given Virginia Beach’s past negligence in allowing such development to encroach Oceana, it may be impossible to save the air station. But Virginia Beach and the Commonwealth must expend every effort to make it happen.