MORAN ANNOUNCES CONCLUSION OF 2005 BRAC ROUND
Report Ranks Kansas Among the Top States for Added Military Personnel
WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Jerry Moran today announced the conclusion of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which works to better align military forces and reduce surplus military infrastructure. In the report, all four Kansas military bases - Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth, Forbes Field and McConnell Air Force Base - are to remain open and experience growth. Today's vote in Congress was the final step in the BRAC results becoming law next month.
"The results of this report demonstrate what we in Kansas have known for a long time of the important role our bases play in the U.S. military," Moran said. "Kansas military installations will continue to play a valuable role in our country's defense, and thousands of jobs will be created in our state."
The economic effect of Kansas' military installations is greater than the eight largest employers in the state combined, bringing $2 billion to the state's economy and providing nearly 70,000 jobs. These figures are expected to grow. In the 2005 BRAC round, Kansas ranks among the top states for personnel gains.
Among the brightest news for Kansas in the report is that the division headquarters of the Army's First Infantry Division, also known as the "Big Red One," will return to Fort Riley from Germany. In addition, by 2011 Fort Riley is expected to house a total of five brigades, employing over 20,000 people. The population of the region is estimated to increase by 30,000, with an annual economic effect on the local and state economy estimated in the hundreds of millions.
"Fort Riley's success in the BRAC process is a testament to the hard work of its surrounding communities, where the support has been tremendous," Moran said. "From housing to schools to transportation, they have really come together to create a good quality of life for incoming soldiers and their families."
As a member of the Kansas Strategic Military Planning Commission, Moran has worked with community, government and military leaders during the BRAC process to ensure that Kansas' installations were well-positioned to remain open.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ks01_moran/pr102705BRAC.html
