Proposed Beale Cuts Would Be Another Economic Blow To Yuba-Sutter Area

YUBA CITY (CBS13) - An area that already has some of the highest unemployment numbers in the state could lose nearly 800 jobs if proposed Pentagon cuts go through, slashing the work force at Beale Air Force Base by 16 percent.

Unemployment in Yuba and Sutter counties historically hovers around 20 percent, so the prospect of losing so many jobs would be especially damaging.

"It would be a catastrophe," said local resident Imogene Whatley. "The economy is down the tubes right now as it is."

You don't have to go far in the Yuba-Sutter area to find people upset about the announcement of 774 jobs that could be cut at Beale.

"It would be pretty bad simply because Beale supports a lot of the surrounding communities," another resident said.

Beale, which sits near the town of Wheatland in Yuba County, is the largest employer in the area. Many of the staff at the base shop and live in nearby cities like Marysville and Yuba City.

"That's people on the street buying food, attending our events, that are part of our community," said Darin Gale, Yuba City's economic development manager.

Gale says that means hundreds of rental units and owned properties will be on the market if the military budget is approved and the jobs are lost.

Gale also says that the effects would extend outside of his immediate area into Sacramento Cunty, Placer County and beyond.

But people in Yuba City haven't given up hope that the jobs can still be saved.

"I'm sure there's something they could do if they all got together and worked on it," Whatley said.

Gale sure hopes so. He'll be in Washington next month pitching to save the jobs at Beale.