Idaho National Guard looks at 40 year plan

It’s a 40 year plan that will build and consolidate the national guards armories across the state of Idaho. Those armories are called readiness centers.

The buildings are old and Congress knows it. That’s why the National
Guard has proposed a nationwide readiness center transformation master plan.

There’s a couple steps they need to take before they get the ball rolling on this project.

“It’s a sequential process so we have to secure the land for the new readiness centers we have to secure the funding through congress. And have state matching funds that go with that,” said Major Brady Johnson, operations officer.

Right now there are 22 readiness centers across the state of Idaho.

The reduction proposal would leave Idaho with nine readiness centers in Idaho falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Post Falls, and the Lewiston-Moscow area, as well as four in southwestern Idaho’s Treasure Valley.

“More efficient buildings, looking at more efficient energy sources and looking at reducing foot prints both energy wise and building wise,” said Johnson.

Currently, they are adding LED lights to help reduce energy costs and have installed new windows which help keep heating and cooling costs low.

This project is estimated to cost $20 million.