Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base

1. Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base BRAC Regional Task Force (RTF) Community Planning for BRAC Implementation Paul Dordal Executive Director Robeson County Executive Briefing January 15, 2008

2. BRAC Changes at Ft. Bragg and Pope AFB • Ft. Bragg is the largest Army post in the country • Growing to more than 65,000 soldiers and employees. • Includes BRAC actions, Army Transformation, and Grow the Army initiatives. • U.S. Army Forces Command and Army Reserve Command Headquarters (2,700) transfer from Atlanta. • Pope AFB transfers to the Army in 2011.

3. Community Impact of Changes at Ft. Bragg • Population growth: projecting 40,000 additional people • Shortage of schools, classrooms, and teachers • Impacts housing, roads, airports, workforce, infrastructure, public safety, medical and quality of life • A regional approach is essential to plan and prepare for the changes.

4. Community Impact of Changes at Ft. Bragg • FORSCOM/USARC Headquarters will be the catalyst for creating a defense cluster. • Senior decision makers that decide how to organize and equip the entire U.S. Army • Manage more than $30 billion of DOD budget • Hospitality requirements: 20,000 + visits a year • Excellent workforce and economic opportunities • Potential to attract new Defense related industry and expand existing businesses

5. Direct Economic OpportunitiesDue to Changes at Ft. Bragg • On Post: $2.2 billion in military construction during the next 5 years. • Opportunities for prime contracts, partnerships, subcontracts, suppliers. • Increased defense related business from in and out of state. • Need additional hospitality, convention and meeting space. • Office and warehouse space needed for contractors. • Requires a skilled talent pool for defense related businesses!

6. “All-American Defense Corridor” • Market and promote Southeastern North Carolina to attract new defense companies to the region. • Emphasize our strengths: • Five major military installations • World-class research & development capabilities • Motivated and skilled talent pool • Outstanding quality of life • Excellent transportation systems • Establish a defense industry sector with high technology, high paying jobs

8. BRAC RTF DVD “All American Defense Corridor”

9. Robeson County BRAC contacts • Robeson County is a TIER ONE county (significant impact from BRAC) • BRAC RTF Board Members: • Kenneth Windley, Jr. County Manager • Blake Proctor, represents municipalities • Jim Brown, alternate county rep • Dana Powell – Lumber River WDB • Greg Cummings represents Economic Development

10. Economic Transformation • Economic Development Initiatives • BRAC RTF survey to 500 defense contractors. • Regional and state approach to recruit defense contractors: Tactronics, MPRI, BAH • Economic opportunities associated with FORSCOM/USARC move. • Coordinating with other military related organizations: NC DOC; NC MBC; DSTA

11. Robeson County Assets • Excellent location: I-95, I-74/73, I-295, and rail. • Lumberton Regional Airport: new commercial training • Robeson Community College: training a skilled workforce! • UNC Pembroke: 4 year degrees • Available industrial facilities • Hub zone Certified Firms

12. BRAC RTF VISION • Implement comprehensive regional planning for quality of life and planned growth • Establish Community Partnership with Ft. Bragg for long term sustainability and support • Transform the Workforce to meet the needs of emerging industries • Transform the Regional Economy based on the growth at Ft. Bragg as the catalyst to attract defense related companies and new growth

13. BRAC Regional Task Force Purpose and Scope • Purpose: Unify the community planning effort by coordinating the requirements and shortfalls for the counties and municipalities affected by BRAC actions at Ft. Bragg and Pope AFB. • Scope: Serve as the liaison between the military; the communities in the organization; state agencies associated with these requirements; and federal agencies designated to provide community assistance for BRAC.

14. BRAC RTF Funding • Extensive program growth in the past 15 months • Significant Investment in RTF programs for this region: • DOD: $1.9 million • US DOL: $5 million • State: $375,000 • Counties: $345,000 • Potential to create a thriving defense industry cluster and get this region state and national attention!

15. Regional Planning Purpose: Plan and prepare regional communities for BRAC changes and other transformation growth End Product: Develop Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan Funding Source: $1.9M OEA Grant Workforce Transformation Purpose: Develop innovative education and workforce training programs to meet the requirements of emerging defense industry clusters and other key areas Create the All American Center For Workforce Innovation Funding Source: $5.0M DOL Grant Economic Transformation Purpose: Emphasize and promote the strengths inherent to a defense industry sector in North Carolina. Promote and market the All American Defense Corridor: On-going marketing initiative Creating DVDs and Brochures to market transformation Funding Sources: $5.0M DOL Grant and State and County Marketing Funds BRAC RTF Programs

16. A Regional Approach to Planning • Identifying problem areas and potential solutions for local, regional, state and federal consideration. • Creating a regional network and information sharing process. County reps, workgroups and stakeholders are involved in regional coordination. • Developing a Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan over the next 12 months. • Training and Development Associates (TDA) of Laurinburg awarded the primary contract for CRGP. • FORSCOM survey is on the BRACRTF.com website and the preliminary assessment is under review

17. Working Groups/Elements of Comprehensive Regional Plan • Schools and Education • Transportation (roads/rail/airline) • Workforce impact/employment opportunities • Economic Impact • Housing: on and off installation • Infrastructure: Public Works/Public Safety • Medical Services: on and off installation • Meetings/Conventions/Special Activities • Compatible Land Use, Sustainable Development • Regional Communication and Coordination • Recreation, Parks, Arts and Culture

18. End Product for Phase II • Develop a Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan that integrates our planning efforts into a cohesive “game plan” for sustainable growth and development • Includes Implementation Plan and Action Steps • Integration into local, regional and state planning initiatives • Focus on Sustainable Economic Development opportunities for each community

19. BRAC RTF Robeson County Impacts

20. Robeson County Preliminary Projections • Population Projections • Housing Demographics • School Demographics • Other Observations

21. Robeson CountyPopulation Projections Approx 5% population growth expected 2007-2013

22. Robeson CountyHousing Demographics • Housing Demand for the 2007-2013 period • Normal Growth BRAC growth • 1934 owner units 134 owner units • 712 rental units 49 rental units Average: 345 new owner units/127 new rental units • Majority of new units projected to be single family units

23. Robeson County School Demographics • 15th largest school district • K-12 enrollment: 23,794 students • Annual growth rate of approx 0.02% • Expected growth (2007-2013) – 230 students • Will not create a capacity gap in school system

24. Robeson County Other Observations • Military personnel tend to reside in the northern part of the county • Parkton, St. Pauls, and Lumber Bridge area • Known growth constraints include: • Soils that will not support septic systems • Low flat areas subject to flooding – good for farming

25. Planning TimelineComprehensive Regional Growth Plan (CRGP) • Jan 24 - Preliminary CRGP to Executive Committee • Feb 1 - April 30 – Workgroup reviews of CRGP • May 1 – DRAFT CRGP submitted to BRAC RTF • Jun 1 - Jul 31 – Public review and comment • Oct 1 – Plan finalized and distributed

26. BRAC RTF Workforce Transformation

27. Workforce Transformation • Improve quality of life and economic conditions. • U.S. DOL awarded a Workforce Demonstration grant for $5 million to the BRAC RTF. • Identify and meet the needs of defense related companies in the areas of Military Preparedness and Homeland Security. • Meet the workforce needs of the military installations.

28. Workforce Demonstration Grant Program • Goal is to expand employment and advancement opportunities for workers in a regional economy! • Use military growth and FORSCOM/USARC move as the catalyst to transform low income economies to higher paying defense and technology related jobs. • Includes all eleven counties: Economic Developers; school systems; four Workforce Development Boards; eight Community Colleges; five Universities

29. Workforce Demonstration Initiatives • Regional resource mapping to identify supply and demand. • All American Center for Workforce Innovation. • Establish virtual network with key players to link. programs and the workforce. • Wounded Warrior Demonstration Program. • Communications and Outreach program.

30. ALL-AMERICAN CENTER for Workforce Innovation Academic Enrichment Workforce Enhancement All-American Center for Workforce Innovation Military Preparedness Homeland Security Center of Innovation for Defense and Homeland Security Leadership Development Entrepreneurs Healthcare and Teaching Professionals Technology Innovation Trades and Skilled Labor Green Tech Enhanced Training and Simulation Social Resources Talent Development Economic Growth Academic Development Workforce Development Economic Development

31. All-American Center Virtual Networking LEE NCMBC HARNETT MONTGOMERY MOORE DSTA SBTDC FT. BRAGG RICHMOND HOKE CUMBERLAND SAMPSON SCOTLAND 11 Joblink Career Centers BLADEN ROBESON 8 Community Colleges 11 Public school systems 5 Universities

32. Workforce Demonstration Steering Group Representatives • Robeson Community College Dr. Charles Chrestman • UNC-Pembroke Dr. Allen Meadors • Workforce Development Board Ms. Dana Powell

33. Education Focus • Goal – To identify, implement, and promote educational programs, kindergarten through graduate school, essential to preparing the workforce that industry demands • Objective – To provide the communications hub and coordinate the regional educational efforts focused on workforce talent development

34. Education Advisory GroupRepresentatives • Robeson County Schools Mr. Johnny Hunt, Mr. Merle Summers • Robeson Community College Dr. Charles Chrestman • UNC-Pembroke Dr. Allen Meadors, Dr. Charles Harrington • Workforce Development Board Ms. Dana Powell, Mr. John Reese Program Review Interagency Interaction Liaison Ambassador

35. Education Initiatives Dropout Prevention Grant submitted to NC Department of Public Instruction “Know, Care, Act” Initiative Middle School emphasis: soft skills necessary for success in school and work High School emphasis: options for students after completing high school

36. Tobacco Trust Fund Grant • BRAC RTF awarded $203,100 to develop Regional Agriculture Sustainability Program (RASP)   • Partnership with Sustainable Fort Bragg, Moore County Cooperative Extension Center, and Sustainable Sandhills • Provide full-time agricultural specialist to further Sustainable Sandhills’  ‘Feed to Fort’ initiative as well as agri-tourism and ‘niche’ farming opportunities • Sustainable Agriculture specialist will serve the region and work closely with Robeson County Cooperative Extension Center

37. Regional Working Lands Protection Strategy • BRAC RTF has applied for $1.5 million to the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (NC ADFP) to develop a regional strategy to protect working lands (farming and forestry) • ADFP project would build upon the RASP to integrate agriculture into BRAC RTF workforce, education, and economic development initiatives • Farmland Protection Plan would be developed for each County at no cost

38. Regional Working Lands Protection Strategy • Adopted Farmland Preservation Plans would be certified by the NC Department of Agriculture, giving County priority consideration in future Farmland Preservation Trust Fund grant cycles • Funds (~$140,000 for each County) - used to develop a series of sustainable agriculture ‘pilot projects’ • Selected farmers/forestland owners would participate directly in pilot project to build a sustainable agriculture/forestry enterprise in exchange for cash payments (development rights lease for at least 20 yrs)

39. Goals of BRAC RTF Farmland Protection Initiatives • Strengthen region’s agricultural economy by opening new markets for local producers, including Fort Bragg & future biofuel power plants • Help preserve the region’s cultural heritage of family farms and rural entrepreneurship • Link agriculture to new technologies (biofuels, cellulose derivatives) to expand opportunities for the next generation of farmers

40. Goals of BRAC RTF Farmland Protection Initiatives • Position producers to succeed in the emerging ‘buy local’ environment, including growth in organic food markets and greenhouse gas emission offsets as a tradable agricultural commodity • Preserve Working Lands near Fort Bragg (Compatible Use for Mission Sustainment) • Help protect North Carolina’s ‘Green Infrastructure’

41. Community Involvement • Community involvement is critical. • Identify specific problem areas • Integrate and augment existing planning efforts. Fully engage with local governments and regional planners • Implement the Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan • Understand and prepare for the economic impact and workforce requirements. • Recognize Opportunities: new and expanding businesses; housing and infrastructure.

42. BRAC RTF QUESTIONS?

43. BRAC RTF Contact Info • Executive Director: Paul Dordal pdordal@bracrtf.com • Deputy Director: John Harbison jharbison@bracrtf.com • Regional Planner: Don Belk dbelk@bracrtf.com • Workforce Program Director: Steve Wilkins swilkins@bracrtf.com • Program Mgr for Education: Dr. Jane Smith jsmith@bracrtf.com • Program Manager for Workforce: Tim Moore tmoore@bracrtf.com • Executive Assistant: John Bellamy jbellamy@bracrtf.com • Administrative Assistant: Renee Semient rsemient@bracrtf.com • 910-436-1344: Website: www.bracrtf.com • *Offices are located on Fort Bragg

44. Ft. BRAGG/POPE AFB AMERICA’S 911 RAPID RESPONSE CAPABILITY STRATEGIC FORCE... DECISIVE VICTORY