 Preparing Your Community for Defense Cuts and BRAC A Presentation to the Association of Defense Communities

Four Things Your Community Can Do to Prepare 1. Foster Strong Advocacy and Decision Making Forums 2. Address Land Use Challenges 3. Consider Military and Non-Military Growth Options 4. Pursue Innovative Ways to Solve Problems

Foster Strong Advocacy and Decision Making Forums Goal: Your community must be able to reach consensus and take action to build a strong future for your base. What You Need:  A Military Affairs Office at the state and local levels to liaison with elected officials and the military.  A “Military Alliance” as a forum for education and advocacy by private sector stakeholders.  A Land Use and Planning Working Group to resolve issues that impact operations and economic growth.

Address Land Use Challenges Goal: Preserve the military value of your base by planning development in a way that does not encroach on its operations. What You Need:  If you do have a completed Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) work hard to resolve any unimplemented recommendations.  If you DO NOT have a JLUS think hard about asking your base commander to nominate your base for one or pursue a regional or statewide JLUS that could cover multiple bases.

Consider Military and Non-Military Growth Options Goal: Diversify the military and federal mission of your base to enhance its value, role, and economic impact in the community.  Military bases have space that can be used by other federal agencies. Land is federally owned, secure, and has infrastructure.  Two basic examples: Sharing of Veterans and DOD health care facilities and co-locating first responders with the logistical capabilities and secure perimeters offered on a military base. Communities should consider opportunities and pursue a dialogue to attract a full range of new federal tenants.

Case Study: Fort Pickett, VA Likely Host for State Department Training Facility Case Study:  Fort Pickett, VA is a leading site for a 1,500 acre State Department Security Training Center that could train more than 8,000 a year.  The facility will meet a growing need for a State Department capability and could ultimately bring an estimated 800 jobs to the area.  Pickett is a leading candidate because the land use is compatible, the land is federally owned, and the base offers a secure perimeter. This broadens Fort Pickett’s value as a national asset and increases its economic impact in the community.

Case Study: San Antonio and Lackland AFB Case Study:  The City of San Antonio has initiated a process to convey 139 acres of land adjacent to Lackland Air Force Base at no cost to the base.  This is a forward looking, smart decision to position their local base as a magnet for new military and possible non-military growth.  It is a good story to tell in the run up to a future BRAC round. Every military community should carefully consider similar opportunities to solve problems and position for growth.

Pursue Innovative Ways to Meet Needs and Solve Problems Goal: Take advantage of innovative mechanisms to make your base more efficient and a more valuable national military asset. Three Examples:  Leveraging enhanced use leases to modernize infrastructure.  Implementing micro-grids and net zero energy plans to be at the cutting edge of DOD energy efficiency efforts.  On-base charter schools to serve military and non-military kids. Communities looking at a possible BRAC should be pushing hard at the federal level to ensure their base is a leader in innovation.

Case Study: Constellation Energy EUL at NSWC Indian Head Case Study:  Under an Enhanced Use Lease, Constellation Energy will replace an aging base coal power plant with a 30 MW natural gas plant.  Constellation Energy will also build a modern data center and an on-base office park to accommodate contractors and future growth.  NSWC Indian Head will become a net supplier of electricity to the local grid instead of a consumer. This solves some significant infrastructure challenges for the base and will set the stage for future economic growth.

Contact Information The McAllister & Quinn Military Communities Team works with communities to craft and implement effective strategies to enhance their base’s economic impact, to secure strong federal support for infrastructure, and to get ahead of ever shifting military requirements that could impact their base’s size and mission. Frank Cristinzio Director of Federal Affairs