War leaves local economy, employers at a loss

Freedom has its price.

For the United States, the price tag is at least $75 billion to conquer Saddam Hussein in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

But the war also will have a direct impact on local businesses from loss of income and spending by those called into active duty, according to Tom Wyrick, a Southwest Missouri State University economics professor.

"A lot of the (military) personnel are coming out of local environments and going over to the Middle East," Wyrick said. "What we would observe is a damage to local economies. Whoever has come from Springfield and gone to the Middle East is no longer working here in Springfield. That would take some income and production out of the local economy and also that person's spending."

There are nearly 300 Army and National Guard reserves from Springfield in active duty, while another approximately 800 mobilized members hail from the region, as of April 2, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Among them is Jim Brakebill, a claims manager for American National Property & Casualty. Brakebill's last day in the office was April 2.

Brakebill is a production controller at an Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot station in the continental United States. AVCRAD soldiers provide depot-level aircraft maintenance for U.S. Army helicopters.

Boys and Girls Club of Springfield is dealing with the loss of a significant member as well. Randy Carpenter, director of operations, has been stationed in Fort Leonard Wood for the past six weeks and is preparing to be shipped out to the Middle East. He, too, may be absent from his daytime job for up to a year. Carpenter is a master sergeant in the Army Reserves 459th Transportation Company, which has 170 soldiers.

Filling the gaps

With these vacancies and losses of others in the business community, companies have been forced to adapt, sometimes rather quickly.

"It's been a challenge," said Patrick Gartland, Boys and Girls Club executive director. "Randy has been here for 19 years and never was called up. After a while, you never think it's going to happen. I guess we were nave in that respect."

The unexpected event has caused Boys & Girls Club officials to shuffle duties. Former Musgrave Unit Director Chris Whitehead has been named interim director of operations, while Blair Campmeir oversees the Musgrave Unit. The club hired Shuan Bass as director of the Henderson Unit.

ANPAC insurance claims negotiator Anthony Tindall, who reports to Brakebill at ANPAC, said he and his associates sensed they might lose their boss as Middle Eastern battles intensified.

"It was in the back of our mind for a little while once everything started progressing," Tindall said. "It just got closer and closer, and one day he came in and said, I've been activated for one year.'"

Replacing Brakebill during his tour of duty is retired ANPAC claims manager John Noel.

"The company's plan is to try and cover my desk while I'm gone," Brakebill said.

Brakebill isn't sure how long that will be. "It could be more (than one year); it could be less."

With nearly 20 guardsmen and reservists on the force, the Springfield Police Department is always prepared for such an occurrence, said Matt Brown, department spokesman. Brown said 12 officers have already been called into action, and five more could be. All 12 are patrol officers from the Uniformed Operations Division.

"We have plans specifically designed for this," Brown said.

The department has filled the gaps with officers from other areas, such as the community-oriented policing, traffic and DWI divisions. "We've had to fill (the patrol) positions in so that ... the public does not see any side effects because of that," he said.

Last stop

When military personnel leave Springfield, a popular stop seems to be Surplus City. Owner Rob Appleby said brisk sales in recent weeks have pumped store sales of military gear 20 percent higher than average. Similarly, general sales have picked up 10 percent as the interest in war and patriotism has grown.

Surplus City manager Greg Roberts said a common sight in the last month is reservists checking off their military supply lists with such items as additional boots, socks, battle dress uniforms, Alice packs, goggles and camelbacks.

Other popular items are gas masks, flags and patriotic items.

Appleby estimates selling to "a couple thousand reserves." Wartime keeps his business strong, he said.