Virginia awaits word on carrier base move

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Virginia officials say they're anxiously awaiting a decision by the U.S. Navy on whether it will move an aircraft carrier's base to Florida.

Four aircraft carriers are currently based at Norfolk, Va., the U.S. East Coast's only facility for the big ships, but Navy officials are considering moving one of them to Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Fla., the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press reported Sunday.

Virginia officials say one early estimate indicated that moving just one carrier from Norfolk would cost the region 6,000 jobs and reduce its gross regional product about $425 million.

A decision could come soon, local leaders said. Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance Executive Director Frank Roberts told the Daily Press he wouldn't be surprised to see a Navy decision come this week, with speculation fueled by a story in The Hill newspaper.

State officials say the cost of improving Mayport to accommodate a nuclear-powered carrier could be as high as $1 billion.