Government

What is BRAC, (Base Realignment And Closure) exactly? Is it something new or has it been around forever and it’s just now being "hyped" by the media and that’s why we’re hearing more about it? Is this because of 9-11 or does it have something to do with the Middle-East? How much is this going to cost me and is this why traffic is the way it is?

In responding to constituent’s inquiries, attending meetings and press interviews, elected officials and most government employees are expected to have at least a working knowledge of BRAC and its impact to the various facets of the region. There are numerous reports and of course there is the 2005 BRAC Commission Report which weighs in at more than six pounds and over 700 pages and is not up to date on what is really going on in a particular region!

A faster method or CliffsNotes™ version of the information is what you really need but has not been created. This is a very large part of what drove the creation of the BRACWatch.com™ newsletter and website. BRACWatch.com™ is largely a volunteer effort with hard costs being bourn by founding and future sponsors. Northern Virginia and Maryland have faired quite well as both are amongst the regions on the “receiving end” of BRAC 2005 gaining far more jobs than were lost. While this on the grand scale is good news to most, it also brings new challenges and responsibilities to the region and to government.