MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Commissioner Christy Myers said Thursday that proposed changes under the Army Transformation Initiative could remove munitions development from Picatinny Arsenal’s existing integrated research-and-deployment structure, potentially reducing local funding and jobs.

Myers told the Morris County Board of Commissioners that the ATI would move the munitions piece “to center capability, executive offices,” rather than leave research, development and deployment together at Picatinny. “The result of that might be that we lose $1,000,000,000 in funding and a thousand jobs,” she said.

The county and federal representatives have sought to halt or rethink the change, Myers said. “The federal representatives, all of our federal representatives except Chris Smith … have written and said to the secretary … please stop,” she said, adding that the board had also sent its own letter.

Why it matters: Picatinny Arsenal is a long-standing defense research and testing facility in Morris County; Myers said breaking the munitions function out of a vertically integrated model could slow research-to-deployment cycles and delay equipment available to service members. Myers framed the change both as a local economic risk and a national mission concern.

Board discussion and follow-up: Commissioners discussed the site’s long history of defense manufacturing and testing and the possibility of escalating the county’s advocacy. Myers said she is coordinating with other local advocates and federal lawmakers to press the Army to reconsider. She named the Secretary of the Army as the recipient of letters from federal lawmakers and said the board had prepared its own correspondence.

What was decided: The transcript records discussion and letters sent by federal representatives and by the board; there was no formal motion, vote, or ordinance recorded on this subject during the work session.

Context and limitations: Myers said earlier efforts to reorganize similar functions in the early 2000s had failed and that the current effort may differ because of technological changes. She characterized the $1 billion and 1,000‑job figures as potential outcomes (“might be”) rather than a confirmed projection. The transcript shows that Representative Chris Smith was not available when other federal representatives sent letters.

Next steps: Myers said she and county staff are continuing advocacy and coordinating with local representatives and stakeholders to seek additional intervention.

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