The value of the SSMCP Partnership is in its network of members working collaboratively toward common goals. Underpinning the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership’s (SSMCP) efforts is the recognition of the interdependency of JBLM and the broader South Puget Sound region.  It may be beneficial to review the (SSMCP) accomplishments for this year and describe what the work priorities and new initiatives will be forthcoming in 2023. An example of this collaboration is found in the work we accomplished this past year to update to the 2010 Growth Coordination Plan.   

The 2022 Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Growth Coordination Plan (GCP) is SSMCP’s guiding document to support its mission of addressing issues that affect military and civilian communities around JBLM and to foster outcomes that are mutually beneficial for the South Puget Sound region. The purpose of the 2022 GCP was to develop a long-range action plan that assesses existing conditions, identifies opportunities for improvements, and establish a framework of implementable and measurable action items that are designed to improve the quality of life in the South Sound Region while balancing military readiness and community interests.

In 2022, SSMCP’s legislative advocacy led to $75M in Move Ahead Washington funding for the I-5 Nisqually Delta project, the passage of two additional licensure compacts (one for occupational therapists and one for psychologists), the purchase of the Tactical Tailor property, and the approval of $900K for land acquisition related to the North Clear Zone project.

This year, we were able to reinstitute in-person Elected Officials Councils holding two well- attended EOCs in 2022.  SSMCP using sponsorship funding from Amazon, held several Behavioral Health Networking Events to bring awareness to services both on and off base to improve the access to care.  Within our Social Services working group we connected Amazon, in collaboration with Hello Fresh! and Whole Foods, with the Military Family Advisory Network and Nourish food banks to address military food insecurity by delivering over 70,000 pounds of fresh food to military families!

In 2023, SSMCP will manage a federal grant to conduct three key initiatives: a Military Installation Resiliency Review, an update to the 2020 Housing Study, and study issues to address barriers to occupational licensure.  IN addition, SSMCP, in partnership with the UW-Tacoma Center for Business Analytics, will assess JBLM’s impact on the region and state economy and perform a JBLM Workforce Survey, the first since 2018.  SSMCP leadership values your continued interest and participation in SSMCP activities.