Regional Data Book, Vol. XI,  2009

Base Closing and Realignment Commission (BRAC)

Recommendations (2005)

BRAC recommended realignment of Fort Bragg by

1. Relocating the 7th Special Forces Group to Eglin AFB, Florida and by activating the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and relocating European-based forces to Fort Bragg;
2. Realigning Yeager Airport AGS, WV and by relocating eight C-130H aircraft to Pope/Fort Bragg to form a 16 aircraft Air Force Reserve/active duty associate unit;.
3. Closing Pittsburgh International Airport (IAP) Air Reserve Station (ARS), PA, and relocate 911th Airlift Wing’s (AFRC) eight C-130H aircraft to Pope/Fort Bragg to form a 16 aircraft Air Force Reserve/active duty associate unit; and
4. Relocating AFRC operations and maintenance manpower to Pope/Fort Bragg.
5. Relocating two major headquarters, Army Forces command (FORSCOM) and Army Reserve Command, to Fort Bragg.

As a result of these recommendations, Fort Bragg will gain troops and two major army commands. It is expected that Fort Bragg will increase its numbers by about 20,000: 6,772 soldiers, 1,669 civilians and 12,000 family members. The “economic migrants” attracted by increased opportunities at Fort Bragg may swell the number by another 5,000 people. It will add several hundred high salary jobs paying $70,000 to $80,000. A small number of personnel (2,500) will, however, leave Fort Bragg because the Pope Air Force Base will cease to exist as a separate installation.

BRAC will impact our region by injecting billons of additional dollars in the economy, increasing construction spending ($1.5 billion), raising home prices, attracting more defense related industries, crowding schools, increasing federal impact aid for schools, increasing traffic congestion, increasing pressure on infrastructure, increasing population, raising average per capita income and creating a better business climate.

As a result of projected military investment in this region 19,200 jobs will be created by 2013. The leading sectors where these jobs will be created are listed below.

Projected Number of Military-Related Jobs Added in the Leading Growth Sectors 2011- 2013

Source:  www.bracrtf.com