MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Envision Xpress Base Supply Center at Minot Air Force Base, operated by Envision Inc., provides extensive equipment and products such as cold weather gear and office supplies for the base.

This month, Envision, Inc., based in Wichita, Kan., operator of the Minot AFB store and a number of other military installations throughout the U.S., is recognizing the 25th anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program by highlighting the workplace capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired and their support of the nation’s military and federal government.

Two of the five civilians employed at the Minot AFB Envision Xpress store are visually impaired including store manager William Quist.

The Envision Xpress store has operated at Minot AFB since the late 1990s. Originally, the supply center was operated by the military.

The highly successful AbilityOne Base Supply Center program began at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Oct. 11, 1995, according to Envision information. Today, there are more than 150 Base Supply Center’s on military bases and federal installations across the country, including more than a dozen operated by Envision. Envision operates the Minot AFB store in partnership with National Industries for the Blind, the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind or visually impaired.

“The 25th anniversary of the BSC (Base Supply Center) program is a significant milestone in our history. We are honored to provide this necessary service to military communities,” said Buddy Sell, Envision’s senior vice president of manufacturing and BSC operations. “We are proud of our years of service not only helping our men and women in uniform, but also providing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impared to gain greater independence through rewarding employment.”

“The success of our Base Supply Centers over the past two decades demonstrates the tremendous value people who are blind bring to the workplace,” said Kevin Lynch, National Industries for the Blind president and chief executive officer from Alexandria, Va. “We are proud to continue working with Minot AFB to expand job opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, including our nation’s veterans, as well as supporting the military and federal government.