The Economic Impact of BRAC on the 11 Member Counties: Bridging the Gap for Economically Disadvantaged Populations Mr. Floyd Shorter, PI Dr. Assad Tavakoli, Co-PI Fayetteville State University (FSU) University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP)

To determine the educational and occupational attainment of the economically disadvantaged and identify gaps that may prevent this group from participating in the employment opportunities generated by BRAC. Project Purpose

Percent of the Economically Disadvantaged (Ages 18-64) in the Labor Force and in the Region

Educational Gap Analysis: Less Than a High School Diploma or Equivalency

Educational Gap Analysis: High School Diploma

Educational Gap Analysis: Some College

Educational Gap Analysis: Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Occupational Gap Analysis: Managerial and Professional

Occupational Gap Analysis: Service

Occupational Gap Analysis: Sales and Retail

Occupational Gap Analysis: Construction

Recommendation 1 BRAC Regional Task Force should present to the Defense Commissary Agency a carefully conceived collaborative proposal from the participating counties in the region to obtain a sub-contract to supply food to the Fort Bragg commissaries. – Develop a regional food distribution center – Establish several fresh produce stands at strategic locations readily accessible to the soldiers and their families on base – Support farming activities by submitting competitive grants

Recommendation 2 Establish a Regional Career Pathways Consortium (RCPC) to develop strategies and form opportunistic alliances to take full advantage of the opportunities identified by the BRAC Regional Task Force. – Prepare an inventory of all the skills available within the Fort Bragg region – Facilitate collaboration/alliances among counties (e.g., Montgomery and Moore counties share a niche in the hospitality industry) – Pool the resources of contiguous counties to encourage vendors to provide access to broadband – Coordinate training programs among counties – Establish a call center with a toll free number to answer all inquiries related to BRAC jobs and contract opportunities

Recommendation 3 Transport interested workers from outlying counties to work on jobs available at Fort Bragg. – Hire a contracted regional broker to coordinate and provide transportation services between counties. – Establish a data bank and dispatch system that matches participants in need of temporary rides with volunteer drivers who are compensated on a per mile basis. – Establish central pick-up centers to transport people to and from different locations

Recommendation 4 Develop a systematic and insightful entrepreneurship program that avoids inefficient duplication of efforts and coordinates the entrepreneurial support services across counties. – Use distance learning centers and other technologies on University/Community College campuses to leverage the entrepreneurial resources of counties in the region – Explore the feasibility of establishing a Microfinance Bank – Form a consortium of interested counties to apply for entrepreneurship grants