The soldiers of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team continue to help shape and rebuild the war-torn country of Iraq. Many of those men and women are from Decatur County, and the team has worked with the Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone (I-BIZ) to accomplish that goal.

The mission of the I-BIZ initiative is to provide a base perimeter for Iraqi businesses that will use Iraqi workers and foster economic development and prosperity.

The message that is being sent to coalition forces, local government and business owners is one of excitement, and that comes from Brig. Gen. Nicholas Matern, Deputy Commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq at Joint Base Balad.

Matern thanked the 76th Infantry Brigade soldiers and base Airmen supporting local Iraqi government and helping business leaders forge new economic opportunities. He and other high-ranking coalition forces made the venture to the base to attend ceremonies celebrating the opening of two brand new facilities. The first was an I-BIZ asphalt plant, and the second was a business center to respond to administrative needs of local Iraqi businesses.

The I-BIZ asphalt facility will provide employment for many Iraqi civilians. The manufacturing and paving crews will be able to provide much needed services for local infrastructure projects as well as the actual installation.

Akeel Najy Marhoon, owner of the Balad Alkema Factory, was awarded the land use agreement to operate the asphalt facility. Hamad Hamood Shekti, the governor of the Salah Ad Din Province joined Marhoon to celebrate.

Gov. Shekti also joined coalition forces in the opening of the Host Nation Business Center. The center provides a forward location to register Iraqi companies into the joint contingency contracting system. Once registered, Iraqi businesses can begin the process of seeking contact opportunities.

The center will provide an easily accessible resource for companies to review open requests for quotes on a bid board and compete for coalition contracts.

“In every sense, all the different sections of I-BIZ helps build relationships, deal with issues and also to establish new relationships and influence money into the economy,” Capt. Mark Calhoun, an HNBC project officer explained.

Matern congratulated Marhoon and other I-BIZ contractors attending the ceremony for their commitment to building more economic opportunities for Iraqis and for their patriotic sense of duty for their country.

The asphalt factory is the latest facility in a series of I-BIZ initiatives at Joint Base Balad. So far, Iraqis have launched a shipping container repair facility, automotive service center and a recycling operation. A bicycle repair shop, appliance resell center and Iraqi cuisine restaurants are in the works.

The progress has out of strategic partnerships with local Iraqis and garnered the attention of national and local media.

“It’s clear the country has a sophisticated and increasingly significant media presence," Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, Joint Base Balad installation commander, noted. "This is an Iraqi solution to an Iraqi challenge -- delivering important news and information to the Iraqi people."