Defense Reform 2000

Base Realignment and Closure

Base Realignment and Closure, known as BRAC (pronounce as "brack"), is an integral part of our readiness and modernization plan. BRAC allows D-o-D to resize and reshape our infrastructure to match changing military mission requirements.

As a result of the first four rounds of BRAC, the Department of Defense will save $14.5 billion dollars by 2001, with recurring savings of about $5.7 billion each year thereafter. This money will be reapplied to critical, higher priority programs such as modernization and military readiness.

D-o-D assists communities surrounding the closed bases to develop base reuse plans. These plans present local strategies for recovering from the economic effects of closure and help the community attain its land-use objectives.

Since Ft. Devens, Massachusetts closed in March of 1996, more than 3,100 jobs have been created at the former base, which is now known as the Devens Commerce Center.

At major bases closed for at least two years, local redevelopment efforts have replaced nearly 50% of the civilian jobs lost through BRAC. Often, communities are able to create more civilian jobs than D-o-D previously provided.

For example, 2,206 jobs were created for the local community as the result of the 1,149 D-o-D civilian jobs lost at Castle AFB, California.

Under recently enacted legislation, the Department received authority to transfer property through an Economic Development Conveyance at no cost to local communities for local job creation.

Communities may now devote scarce local resources, that otherwise would have to be spent on acquiring the property from the military, on site improvements and other activities directly facilitating reuse of the base.

An estimated 36 communities will benefit from this authority by avoiding acquisition and pre-negotiation expenses, and obtaining property three to six months earlier.

Additional locations are expected to seek a modification to their existing conveyances in order to meet their economic needs and improve their potential to create jobs.

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	Base Realignment and Closure Base Realignment and Closure, known as BRAC (pronounce as "brack"), is an integral part of our readiness and modernization plan. BRAC allows D-o-D to resize and reshape our infrastructure to match changing military mission requirements. As a result of the first four rounds of BRAC, the Department of Defense will save $14.5 billion dollars by 2001, with recurring savings of about $5.7 billion each year thereafter. This money will be reapplied to critical, higher priority programs such as modernization and military readiness. D-o-D assists communities surrounding the closed bases to develop base reuse plans. These plans present local strategies for recovering from the economic effects of closure and help the community attain its land-use objectives. Since Ft. Devens, Massachusetts closed in March of 1996, more than 3,100 jobs have been created at the former base, which is now known as the Devens Commerce Center. At major bases closed for at least two years, local redevelopment efforts have replaced nearly 50% of the civilian jobs lost through BRAC. Often, communities are able to create more civilian jobs than D-o-D previously provided. For example, 2,206 jobs were created for the local community as the result of the 1,149 D-o-D civilian jobs lost at Castle AFB, California. Under recently enacted legislation, the Department received authority to transfer property through an Economic Development Conveyance at no cost to local communities for local job creation. Communities may now devote scarce local resources, that otherwise would have to be spent on acquiring the property from the military, on site improvements and other activities directly facilitating reuse of the base. An estimated 36 communities will benefit from this authority by avoiding acquisition and pre-negotiation expenses, and obtaining property three to six months earlier. Additional locations are expected to seek a modification to their existing conveyances in order to meet their economic needs and improve their potential to create jobs. [back to top]