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<br />01423 <br />over twice as great as retaining a dispatch center in Montrose. <br /> <br />(3) Substantially retain the maintenance function. However, administration of the <br />maintenance program, with the exception of two positions in Page, AZ, will be <br />consolidated with the existing structure in the Loveland ollice, <br /> <br />(4) Eliminate overhead associated with the control center, maintenance management, and <br />engineering/construction. The bulk of the work will be absorbed into the Loveland office, <br />with a small portion assigned to Phoenix. <br /> <br />The total impact of aD these changes would be to reduce WAPA staff in Montrose from 137 to 43 <br />- a reduction of 94 positions-: Seven position would be transferred to the Loveland, CO, office, <br />four positions would be transferred to the Salt Lake City, UT, office, and four positions would be <br />transferred to the Phoenix, AZ, office. The remaining 79 positions are not required in WAPA's <br />proposed structure, <br /> <br />Through retraining and "soft landings", WAPA expects to offer jobs to the majority of the <br />Montrose Federal employees whose current positions are being eliminated, For example, <br />positions are available at WAPA's other four control centers for the 14 dispatchers currently at <br />Montrose, All of these job offers will require employees to relocate out of Montrose, No <br />Reductions in Force are currently anticipated. In addition, the changes are proposed to be phased <br />in over the next three years, <br /> <br />C. Issues and Concerns Over WAPA's Montrose Recommendations <br /> <br />Many affected Montrose employees are unhappy about the need to relocate if they plan to remain <br />employed with W APA. They have raised a number of concerns with W AP A's recommendations <br />affecting the Montrose Office, These concerns have been communicated to WAPA's <br />management directly and through Congressional inquiries. This section lists and addresses each <br />major concern, <br /> <br />Concern #1: The economy of Colorado's Western Slope will be adversely affected by the loss of <br />W AP A's high-paying jobs in Montrose. . <br /> <br />Review: WAPA's proposal will result in the loss of94 jobs in Montrose. These jobs will be <br />eliminated over a three-year period which will help to reduce the impact to the local economy. <br />While the impact of this loss of jobs is real and measurable, it needs to be considered in the <br />context ofibe Western Slope's overall economy. It appears tbat economic growtb on Colorado's <br />Western Slope, and especially the Montrose area, is strong. According to the ~ontrose <br />Economic Development Council, "gross sales have grown about 28 percent over tbe past two <br />years and retail sales have grown 22,7 percent for the same period," Population growth bas been <br /> <br />3 <br />