NC spends big in hopes of immunity from Pentagon base realignment

The Associated Press
It's demanded months of work and tens of thousands of dollars. Now state officials are waiting to see whether they've succeeded in their effort to protect North Carolina's military bases from cutbacks or closings.

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission is due to make recommendations next month on where the Pentagon can cut costs by closing or trimming activity at its bases.

Some analysts say North Carolina's military installations are too critical to make that list. The state's been working nevertheless to demonstrate that not only are they worth saving, they could be expanded.

"It's like when you're pregnant and going to have the baby, you're a little worried," said Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, who has led the state's efforts. "We've all done all we can do to make it healthy and well. But who knows what's going to happen at the end of the day?"

The federal government reassesses its military spending about every 10 years to cut waste and meet changing goals. The BRAC commission's recommendations are to be formally announced May 16, though they are expected to be released May 13.

In North Carolina, the military is credited with bringing $18.1 billion dollars to the state's economy. Of that, $12 billion comes is generated by the six major installations: the Army's Fort Bragg; the Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune and air stations at New River and Cherry Point; and Pope and Seymour Johnson Air Force bases.

Since she was directed by Gov. Mike Easley to work on behalf of the state's bases more than 15 months ago, Perdue has made several lobbying trips to Washington and has worked with local governments to shore up their efforts.

Last month, she unveiled an omnibus bill introduced in the Legislature to demonstrate the state's support of the military in concrete terms. The collection of measures would help troops' spouses in their careers and their children in school. It also calls for splitting the tax revenue from gasoline sold on bases - an estimated $4 million - between conservation easement purchases around the installations and quality-of-life and morale programs for the military.

About 330,000 people work in active-duty military or military-related jobs in the state, according to a study by East Carolina University.

The state hopes to increase that number, opening a Military Business Center in Fayetteville that is charged with teaching North Carolina businesses how to do more business with the military, luring more military-related industry to the state and bringing retiring service members and service families into the state's work force.

"We are hearing out of the Department of Defense that North Carolina is innovative and has a history of being innovative," Leigh McNairy, the governor's staff appointee on BRAC. "We're not Johnny-come-latelies."

North Carolina has committed about $2 million in direct BRAC-related spending, although not all of it has been spent.

The state paid $120,000 to International Capital Partners to develop a BRAC strategy for the state. McNairy has been paid $170,000 since she started her work in the fall, and $200,000 went to the law firm of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice to serve as legal counsel on BRAC issues. Some counties that house smaller bases have received funding for their own anti-closing efforts.

Last year, the state authorized $20 million to help purchase open tracts of land near military installations around the state. That's a result of the BRAC criteria that looks at a base's long-term viability as a measure of its value.

In the case of Fort Bragg, that means its ability to conduct training.

"When you talk about growth, you're talking about, 'Can I increase my training? Do I have a sustainable terrain or quality compatible land use?'" McNairy said.

For years, preserving open tracts of land has been a priority for the post, as well as developing land-use plans that are compatible with the noise of artillery fire and aircraft engines that are generated on Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.

"I'm not sure there's anything more we could have done to make the case for our bases," said state Rep. Rick Glazier, a Democrat from Fayetteville. "And I'm not sure there's anything we haven't been able to provide input on. I think we were heard, and based on the merits, the results are going to be good for North Carolina."

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer,