Washington, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved Congressman Maurice Hinchey's (D-NY) request of $3 million in new federal funding for Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton to continue producing greatly needed tents and shelters for the military.  Using his seat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, the congressman had the funding included in the fiscal year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. 

"These funds will ensure that our troops have the adequate shelter they need," Hinchey said. "I'm very pleased that the Southern Tier produces such high quality military equipment like the tents that Johnson Outdoors produces for our servicemen and women.  This funding will help keep jobs in the Southern Tier while serving the needs of our military."

The funds Hinchey obtained will be used to ensure steady production of tents for military personnel, maintaining a domestic supply essential to U.S. national security.  While Johnson Outdoors still needs to bid for future contracts to use these funds, the company has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Defense, which puts it in a very good position to win those awards.

Johnson Outdoors is a leading global outdoor recreation company that designs, manufactures and markets watercrafts, motors, diving and outdoor equipment, in addition to its military tent systems. The company has 129 full-time and 19 temporary jobs in its Binghamton facility with 66 employees assigned to the military tent division.

Now that the House has passed the fiscal year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill, the Senate has to take up its own version of the bill.