State expects military windfall
Army command post moving here
By: Olivia Bowler, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/18/08 Section: State & National
Nationwide legislation intended to redistribute military resources will bring tens of thousands of newcomers to North Carolina.
By 2011, the state's strong military presence will be augmented by a relocated Army command post and an influx of 35,000 to 45,000 military personnel and contractors.
The Army command post will be relocated from Fort McPherson in Georgia to Fort Bragg.
North Carolina will also receive personnel from bases that are closing in surrounding states, a realignment determined by the most recent installment of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005.
"We're very fortunate in that we didn't shut down any bases," said Paul Dordal, executive director of the N.C.-based BRAC Regional Task Force, a commission designed to help communities adjust to changes brought about by the legislation.
Will Austin, executive director of the N.C. Military Foundation, said the projected economic impact of the base realignment will be more than $1 billion.
"Yes, there will be billions of dollars of construction coming, but longer-term it's the impact you'll see in strategies to support the installations," he said.
As to whether the state can handle such a large influx of people, Dordal said that the challenges will be significant but that the economic benefits will outweigh the negatives.
"One of our goals is to ensure that the quality of life in this region doesn't decrease as we see the large increase in population at Fort Bragg."
He said concerns include potential strains on housing, schools and public transportation.
Sara Vanderclute, a Cumberland County government spokeswoman, said the county - the site of Fort Bragg - welcomes the relocation.
"It is a challenge for the receiving community, but it's also a blessing," she said. "The military presence here is the foundation of our economy."
Vanderclute said Cumberland County is currently planning to build a new library, school and public health center in the western part of the county to accommodate the newcomers.
The effort to prepare North Carolina for the base realignment is a bipartisan, statewide effort, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue said in an e-mail.
"Preparing for BRAC-related growth is about economic development and not at all about politics," she stated, adding that she believes the state will be prepared.
Austin said the expansion of North Carolina's bases will allow the state to continue its long-standing support of the military.
"North Carolina has hosted these major installations for a long time," he said. "They are very much the fabric of our communities."
Dordal added that North Carolina isn't the only state receiving headquarters and personnel from BRAC closings. Thirteen other military-growth communities, including those around Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Knox in Kentucky, are experiencing the same phenomenon.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
By 2011, the state's strong military presence will be augmented by a relocated Army command post and an influx of 35,000 to 45,000 military personnel and contractors.
The Army command post will be relocated from Fort McPherson in Georgia to Fort Bragg.
North Carolina will also receive personnel from bases that are closing in surrounding states, a realignment determined by the most recent installment of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005.
"We're very fortunate in that we didn't shut down any bases," said Paul Dordal, executive director of the N.C.-based BRAC Regional Task Force, a commission designed to help communities adjust to changes brought about by the legislation.
Will Austin, executive director of the N.C. Military Foundation, said the projected economic impact of the base realignment will be more than $1 billion.
"Yes, there will be billions of dollars of construction coming, but longer-term it's the impact you'll see in strategies to support the installations," he said.
As to whether the state can handle such a large influx of people, Dordal said that the challenges will be significant but that the economic benefits will outweigh the negatives.
"One of our goals is to ensure that the quality of life in this region doesn't decrease as we see the large increase in population at Fort Bragg."
He said concerns include potential strains on housing, schools and public transportation.
Sara Vanderclute, a Cumberland County government spokeswoman, said the county - the site of Fort Bragg - welcomes the relocation.
"It is a challenge for the receiving community, but it's also a blessing," she said. "The military presence here is the foundation of our economy."
Vanderclute said Cumberland County is currently planning to build a new library, school and public health center in the western part of the county to accommodate the newcomers.
The effort to prepare North Carolina for the base realignment is a bipartisan, statewide effort, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue said in an e-mail.
"Preparing for BRAC-related growth is about economic development and not at all about politics," she stated, adding that she believes the state will be prepared.
Austin said the expansion of North Carolina's bases will allow the state to continue its long-standing support of the military.
"North Carolina has hosted these major installations for a long time," he said. "They are very much the fabric of our communities."
Dordal added that North Carolina isn't the only state receiving headquarters and personnel from BRAC closings. Thirteen other military-growth communities, including those around Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Knox in Kentucky, are experiencing the same phenomenon.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Patrick
posted 3/18/08 @ 8:21 AM EST
Sara VanderClute is cute! One of the best things about all of Cumberland County.
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