Cambridge Springs Mayor Randy Gorske attended the event with Cambridge Springs Borough Council member Larry Morrow.

Both men had been on board since the earliest planning stages of the project and were thrilled to see it moving forward.

“We’re excited. It’s a great use of land which wasn’t being used,” Gorske said. “I’m looking forward to them being here,” Morrow added.

Aside from the potential economic impact it will have on the community, the center will be an invaluable community resource which the borough hopes to utilize in some capacity, Gorske said.

Republican state Rep. Brad Roae, whose Sixth District represents central and eastern Crawford County, was the final guest speaker.

Roae was introduced as a volunteer firefighter. In his opening remarks he made a comparison of firefighters being on-call as are the Guardsmen.

While Roae’s family might expect him to be at a scene for hours, he pointed out the National Guard has it tougher. “You folks in the Guard leave your families for days, weeks, months and even years — thank you.”

Following Roae’s remarks, he and Wright, Robbins, Sen. Jane Earll of Erie, Mike Caine of Mascaro Construction, Miller, and Mark Austin, director of facility and engineering for Pennsylvania Department of Veteran Affairs, used ceremonial gold shovels to officially begin construction.

The Readiness Center and maintenance shop will cover approximately 85,000 square feet and will cost $16 million. Once open, the center will replace outdated armories in Erie, Corry and Meadville.

While the center won’t bring a large influx of jobs to the community, it will be staffed by 40 permanent active Guard members and 15 contracted civilians. All locals are upbeat regarding the economic advantages the facility will bring to the area.

“It’s definitely going to be a positive impact,” Gorske said.

After the festivities, Roae summed it up best: “It’s great this is going to be in Crawford County. It’s going to be a great facility and will play a vital role in our national security.”