No 2013 BRAC list is good news for sub base

GROTON, Conn.(WTNH) -- Some folks in southeastern Connecticut are relieved after the Secretary of Defense announced there will be no base closure list next year.

Many businesses near the Groton Subase say they wouldn't be able to survive without it.

Joe Babin's 7 Seas Pizza Restaurant is right across the Route 12 intersection from the submarine base in Groton.

"Probably 70 percent comes from the navy housing or the subase," said Babin.

And it's grown even more since they started doing lunchtime deliveries to the base.

"You know, right across from base I can't lose," Babin said.

As long as they don't lose the base.

That was a real possibility in 2005 when the subase was put on the Base Realignment and Closure list: BRAC a four letter acronym around. Some relief now as Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announces there will be no BRAC list in 2013.

"I was very happy to know because Groton has come under scrutiny a couple of times and we were worried about it," said Babin.

He's not the only one.

"I know last time we were talking we were here, you had that big van here that SOS," said Tom Vivirito, Fleet Motor Co. "Save the subase van was a big campaign."

A campaign he supported in 2005 to keep the subase afloat, something they won't have to do next year.

"I was ecstatic, I was ecstatic," Vivirito said. "The submarine has been the life blood of our community."

In 2005 many people lined up along Route 12 holding signs as the BRAC committee took a tour. Many folks believe that show of support may have saved the subase.

That and the synergy with shipbuilder Electric Boat, also in Groton.

"It's a combination that probably isn't any other place in the country," said Vivirito.

Confidence which does rule out concern whenever that list comes around, and it could again.