The Post
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Editorial Page

Demand that County Leaders Make the Effort

Editorial by Ronnie Thompson

If someone said to you, I know a way to bring millions if not billions of dollars into our local economy, create high paying jobs and improve recreational opportunities, would you support it?

Naturally I would want to ensure that we don't lose the things that make out country unique, but I would have to at least hear them out.

That opportunity is presenting itself now. The Department of Defense (DOD) is continuing to move towards a more technologically advanced fighting force and to do that they are realigning many bases across the country to better provide for future needs.

They use the acronym "BRAC" which stands for Base Realignment and Closure.

The BRAC programs are designed to more efficiently and effectively support our military forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business.

It's the new ways of doing business that could have a significant effect on Montgomery County over the next few years and into the foreseeable future. We already have several businesses that have contacts with the DOD and are continuing to gain more; the recent opening of Carolina Growler in Star is a perfect example of Montgomery County continuing to attract DOD contractors.

Montgomery County is included in an 11 county organization that falls in the 'All American Defense Corridor', which encompasses most of central North Carolina and includes five major military bases, world class research and development facilities, quality transportation systems, a motivated and skilled talent pool and also offers an outstanding quality of life. These are all things the DOD is looking for in establishing a defense industry sector in the area in order to develop new technologies and create high paying jobs.

During a presentation by Congressman Robin Hayes and BRAC representative Paul Dordal on January 144 at the James Garner Center in Troy, Dordal explained why the DOD is very interested in Montgomery County.

The major advantages that they see here include our educational system, which includes Montgomery Community College and out K-12 school system. They see these organizations as the perfect platforms to train a skilled workforce in the new technologies that will be introduced. As I mentioned before, we already have a rich history of local industries working with the DOD and we have industrial facilities just waiting to be occupied by these new companies.

Another major component attracting their interest in Montgomery County is out central location and access to rail lines, the new I 73/74 corridor and the continuing upgrades to the county airport, all these things are needed to transport the goods they hope to produce here.

The military base realignment is having a major effect on Fort Bragg. And Pope Air Force Base. Pope is being turned over to the army and will see and influx of thousands if not tens of thousands of military personnel by 2011, many of which are being moved from bases in Atlanta Georgia area. They will be the ones responsible for advancing the technology side of the military.

These personnel will bring along their families and will create a population boom, centered around Fort Bragg to begin with a spreading out to encompass all of central North Carolina as the industrial side of their operations develop.

As the DOD spends money to provide for its personnel, their budget is in the billions of dollars, there will be advantages for all of us as new recreational opportunities are developed.

Dordal expressed a special interest in the Uwharrie National Forrest as a recreational destination for military personnel, hoping to develop the area as the foremost getaway destination for the new military families offering outdoor recreation and historic and cultural attractions. I don't have to tell you the advantages and the money that will bring to our local businesses.

This development will also open up new markets for agricultural commodities such as livestock, dairy, poultry and timber. All these new people will have to be fed and homes will have to be constructed.

All of these opportunities and more are right around the corner and we cant afford to miss out on a chance to revitalize our county. We must let our elected officials, Chamber of Commerce and industry leaders know that we support their efforts to attract these new opportunities and industries, and demand that they make that effort, this is one of those situations where we have to sell ourselves, if can't make ourselves appealing to the DOD they will simply set up shop in the surrounding counties and we will have to sit back and watch as they grow and we stay stagnant. The DOD is presenting us with an opportunity that simply can't be ignored or put off; this is a unique time in the county's history, a time when we can make a huge difference in our futures and our descendents futures as well as contributing to the safety and security of our country.

Please take the time to ask questions, support the hard work that must be done to attract these new industries and look to the long term advantages of our affiliation with the DOD and its subcontractors. Our future is now and we must take advantage of it.

Kissell Sees BRAC as Big Opportunity

"It is hard to imagine a bigger opportunity for NC than the one we have with the expansion of Fort Bragg. I believe to make the most of this opportunity we have to have a Representative who can make a case to the Democratic controlled Congress and our next President that our region is ready, willing, and uniquely capable to host the expansion of Fort Bragg. We have all heard the promises, but we need to make sure that we have someone working for us who can actually deliver on those promises. I know that I can deliver that message to my fellow Democrats in Washington and make the most of this opportunity for our District."