BRAC reshaping local communities

  • Published
  • By Derek Kaufman
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and across the nation, the military's transformation because of base realignment and closure changes are reshaping communities.

The economic impact of BRAC decisions can be profound, which is why military leaders, government officials and business leaders are frequently gathering to discuss mission changes and looking for opportunities to develop strategies to prepare for what is coming and going.

"BRAC 2005 is a huge win for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Miami Valley," said Col. Colleen Ryan, 88th Air Base Wing commander, at an economic development forum Feb. 8 at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center here. "We stand to gain some real synergy by concentrating aerospace medicine education, training and research, as well as sensors research here."

The base will gain about 1,120 new military and civilian authorizations, Col. Ryan said. Add family members into the mix and the Air Force estimates a total increase of more than 3,800 people to neighboring communities.

Traditionally, the arrival of new, high-tech positions on base also translates to the creation of additional indirect jobs in the service sector off-base. At other locations around the United States, communities are similarly preparing for a net loss of military affiliated jobs.

Preparing for the arrival of new missions, ranging from aerospace medical and human performance research to advanced sensors research, will require an intensive construction effort as well.

The latest programming plan involves $335 million in BRAC related construction and renovation projects, said Louis Zavakos with the 88th Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate. In accordance with BRAC public law, all construction must be completed with people in place and missions in operation before Sept. 15, 2011.

Uncertainty over congressional funding for BRAC projects has generated significant interest from mayors, community planners, county, state and federal elected officials, as well as business leaders neighboring Department of Defense installations. More than 600 civilian and military representatives attended a recent conference Feb. 4-6 in Newport Beach, Calif., to discuss BRAC decisions. BRAC funding was also a topic of interest during a Feb. 20 economic development round table in Dayton, which U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin, Southwest Ohio business leaders and educators attended.

"Our biggest challenge to ready for the arrival of these new missions is construction," Col. Ryan said.

The construction schedule is very stringent, she said, with $19 million in utility and road infrastructure work proposed to begin late this fiscal year, contingent on congressional funding. The bulk of construction is planned to begin in fiscal year 2008. All of the construction, with the exception of a student dormitory and some small base operating support projects, will take place in Area B.

"Shifting the construction timeline to the right and compressing it will be very challenging," Col. Ryan said, pointing out that projects include complex research and laboratory facilities.

Community leaders said they are committed to ensuring BRAC is fully funded to avoid unforeseen impacts with the construction projects.

Base officials said their participation in various public discussions on BRAC is vital to assist communities in making local planning and investment decisions and in identifying partnership opportunities. This team approach helps prevent issues like incompatible zoning that could impact air operations. It highlights opportunities for research collaboration with area universities and hospitals, they said. Just as important, at bases that are closing or losing missions, it helps communities confront issues and make the transition smoother.

"We need to help ensure this process is completely transparent and well understood by community and business leaders," Col. Ryan said. "Our commitment is to provide as much information on the changes and timeline as possible to assist their planning efforts."