It's being called a warning shot by the U.S. Army.
A new report which shows a devastating economic blow for the entire area-- and it may happen by the end of the decade.
Military cuts are coming, and Fort Stewart is on the list.
It's all part of a Pentagon plan to shrink the Army's total force from 562,000 to 490,000.
The report gives names of 21 bases that could face cuts of 1000 jobs or more.
Three of those are in Georgia, including Fort Benning, Fort Gordon and Fort Stewart.
The worst case scenario shows the Hinesville base losing 8000 soldier and civilian jobs by 2020. That's roughly two brigades and their support staff.
Breaking down what that means economically to the region.
That would be a drop of $334 million in payroll.
Annual sales would fall about 21% in a five county region around Fort Stewart. That includes Long, Liberty, Effingham, Bryan, and Chatham counties.
Those cuts would also trigger the loss of another 965 military contractor positions and 791 non-military civilian jobs.
Senator Buddy Carter says the region needs to prepare for the worst.
"Even if its not 8000. Even if its just 4000 its still significant," explained Carter. "Again the ripple effect is going to have a major impact. We as a state need to be prepared for that. Its going to happen. The Federal Government cannot sustain the kind of spending they've had over the past few years and they are going to have to make cuts. Some of those cuts, a lot of those cuts are going to come from the military."
Carter adds that military outreach programs like armstrong's planned campus expansion to Hinesville will be key to making sure the area is not completely dependant on military money.
Hinesville's mayor reportedly isn't going to wait for this to become a reality.
Jim Thomas is one of several leaders drafting a letter to Georgia's congressional delegation, giving reasons Fort Stewart should be spared from the cutbacks.
We should have a more concrete plan for the military, and Fort Stewart's future, in the next few months.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:05:32 GMT
Two women are behind bars after Port Wentworth Police say they found a child, who was in their care, wandering the streets, soaking wet.
Two women are behind bars after Port Wentworth Police say they found a child, who was in their care, wandering the streets, soaking wet. It happened on Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:30:09 GMT
The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry are no strangers to severe weather. The past couple of decades have seen several damaging tornado systems, including April 9th 1998 when several counties saw damage
The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry are no strangers to severe weather. The past couple of decades have seen several damaging tornado systems, including April 9th 1998 when several counties saw damage...
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:01 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:01:38 GMT
Dog found with 300 burned into its body
The hunting dog was found near some woods Charleston County last week, the person who found it took the dog to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital in North Charleston. The hound was given fluids and medicine
This dog was identified with something acidic. The numbers are now permanent scars, says Charleston Animal Society's Dr. Sarah Boyd.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:08:59 GMT
By Randy Key, WJBF Web Content Producer - Augusta, GA - On Tuesday, Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a wooded area off of Mickey Court regarding a suspicious situation. Upon arrival,
By Randy Key, WJBF Web Content Producer - Augusta, GA - On Tuesday, Richmond County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a wooded area off of Mickey Court regarding a suspicious situation. Upon arrival,
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:36 AM EDT2013-05-14 15:36:56 GMT
LaTonya Williams spent her first Mother's Day in tears after finding out that someone was making fun of her precious baby Lola. "She was born with Apert Syndrome which affects her development and she's
Thousands of people are reacting online and in-person after hearing after hearing how baby Lola, who sufferes from a syndrome, was verbally attacked in offensive posts online by strangers.
