US Senator Jerry Moran reported Thursday morning that the US Army will be cutting 615 soldiers from Fort Riley and 60 soldiers from Fort Leavenworth over the next two years.

For local reaction the Post talked to Junction City Commissioner Mike Ryan who said he was “Elated” when he found out the news.

“I’m elated! The communities came together for the listening session, the work we put into it got the ball rolling and we gave a good effort for the military, our local military out here at Fort Riley, to carry the word forward and basically save a lot of jobs right here in our community,” said Ryan.

Junction City Manager, Allen Dinkel said that the news is positive but he want’s to see the final breakdown of the numbers.

“I think we have to take a look at the numbers and where it falls. There will be some analysis, will it be troops that are basically away from here now? Will it affect those living on base? That’s going to be some of the analysis that’s going to be done over the next few days and also if there was any civilian reductions as well. I don’t think we know that number yet,” said Dinkel.

We know the number to be cut but where on Fort Riley those cuts will be made is still unknown.

Ben Kitchens, Chairman of the Junction City Economic Development Commission Advisory Committee said that he’s pleased with only being hit with losing 615 jobs, but Junction City still needs to focus on diversifying its economy so it won’t always have to depend so heavily on the Army.

“I think it’s important that we continue to do things to diversify our economy, still depending on the Army, but yet coming in with other employers for jobs and get growth in a different way than just from the Army,” said Kitchens.

The cuts will be made over the next two years and are a part of the Army’s goal to reduce its overall troop size from 490,000 to 450,000 by the end of the fiscal year 2017.