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John Swope points out Clinton on a map he uses to recruit military families and businesses relocating from Fort McPherson, Ga. to the region due to BRAC.
BRAC, which stands for Base Realignment And Closure, was enacted again by Congress in 2005, according to John Swope, director of Sampson County Economic Development Commission. The purpose of BRAC, he explained, is to make U.S. military bases more efficient by combining, closing and relocating bases.
Fort McPherson, south of Atlanta, Ga., was one base the federal government ordered for closure and relocation to Fort Bragg by 2011. That decision will yield positive results for Sampson County due to its close proximity to Fort Bragg, Swope pointed out.
“When military communities hear the word ‘BRAC,’ the first thing that comes to mind is base closure and the resulting civilian job losses and economic hardship for the cities and towns surrounding the installation or base. The Fort Bragg region heard BRAC in early 2004 and thought ‘opportunity,’” stated Paul R. Dordal, a retired general and executive director of BRAC.
Swope discussed some of these economic opportunities that will follow the influx of about 40,800 new residents to Fort Bragg and surrounding counties, including Sampson. Approximately 16,600 new jobs will be created. Annual salaries of these jobs will start at $75,000, which will yield an estimated income of $1.28 billion to the region. BRAC will also impact about $618 million in sales to the region.
“This is a big thing,” Swope commented.
Recruiting these military personnel moving to the area is a major task for the Sampson County Economic Development Commission, according to Swope. He has already been to Atlanta to participate in a relocation fair. He spoke with about 200 personnel considering moving to Fort Bragg, he stated.
Included in the previous numbers, 200-300 service contractors are expected to move to the Fort Bragg area to accomodate this influx of people, Swope mentioned.
These businesses will “be like any other company moving in. They will create jobs, help the community and be more of a stimulus on the ecnomy ... We’re recruiting companies for the same type of benefits as manufacturers.”
Although Swope said he “can’t comment exactly,” when asked if any businesses were already making plans to relocate in Sampson County, he did say he has received “contacts from companies interested in doing business with the military.”
“We have had some activity ... We expect to see more closer to the opening of Fort Bragg.”
Swope expects these new residents and contractors to start showing up around mid-year 2010 to meet the congressional mandate of the 2011 opening. “There will be an initial presence about mid-year next year.”
Not only does the Sampson County Economic Development Commision hope to recruit these contractors to bring their businesses to Sampson County, they also want to attract relocators to live in Sampson County, Swope declared.
“A lot will want to be ‘outside the gate,’ but not all of them have to be,” Swope articulated, referencing many of the new businesses and residents who wish to establish themselves in closer proximity to the base.
However, he added, “Sampson County’s not that far away (from Fort Bragg) ... We have a little bit of distance but they are already commuting 45 minutes. Although we’re 30 or 45 minutes away, we’re not too far, and the improvement of N.C. 24 will help.”
With average incomes of $75,000 and higher, Swope pointed out that these new residents will be “buying nice homes.” They’ll also have to buy groceries, gas, insurance, etc., all adding to the region’s economy.
Although the major population growth will affect housing, schools, transportation, emergency services and many other areas, Swope said he does not forsee “any negative impact in Sampson County.”
Swope concluded, “The potential’s exciting for Sampson County ... We don’t know an exact breakdown but we will see a general uplift in the region’s economy.”
To contact Amy Kelly call (910) 592-8137 ext. 119 or send e-mail to sigov@myclintonnc.com.
LOL and in July 2009, over 5 years later, the Geritol Playboys say, "Ok, now let's try to sell Sampson County to these folks". Now that's innovative leadership there.