Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
While for many communities BRAC means the loss of jobs and closure of military
bases, Anne Arundel County is fortunate to be the recipient of thousands of
personnel as a result of decisions made by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
Commission. While this brings exciting opportunities, it also presents
challenges, and the West County Chamber is dedicated to ensuring our community
is prepared for the influx of people associated with the move, scheduled to be
completed in 2011.
BRAC specifically refers to the realignment of three agencies to Fort George G.
Meade: the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Defense Media Activities
(DMA), and Defense Adjudications and Office of Hearings and Appeals. However,
when most locals refer to BRAC, they are speaking more widely of all the
associated military moves, including expansion already underway at the National
Security Agency, continuing non-BRAC expansion at Fort Meade, and the
construction of the Fort Meade Technology Center on federal land outside the
Fort Meade perimeter, intended to house defense contractors.
Detailed information on who’s coming and when, community preparations,
procurement contacts, employment links, and recent articles are all available
through the links on the right, and many will lead you to further resources
online.