FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Governor Beshear Creates BRAC Task Force

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2008) - A Governor's Task Force on Military Base Realignment has been created by executive order to augment state preparations resulting from the 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations.

"The 2005 BRAC Task Force did a good job outlining the needs to be addressed in order to take advantage of this great opportunity," said Gov. Steve Beshear in making today's announcement.

"This new group will help implement the federal government's BRAC transformation undertaking in Kentucky."

Because of current occupations, direct interests and talents, members of the new organization will help expedite and accommodate the federal government's BRAC transformation tasks in Kentucky.

"This is a working body," the governor said. It's designed to meet specific needs in categories such as:
· Transportation

· Economic development

· Community water and sewer availability

· Educational demands brought forth by influx of new residents

· Area planning

· Coordination among affected parties

· Information/data exchange and processing

· Workforce development

· And other critical segments of BRAC as the transformation progresses

"By composition, the new arrangement will provide on-going expertise to local communities affected by BRAC. It also assures greater connection with The Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, which played a major role in bringing BRAC programs to this stage in our Commonwealth, and to our affected military bases," the governor explained.

Membership includes:
· Governor (Chairman)

· Cabinet for Economic Development secretary or senior designee

· Transportation Cabinet Secretary or senior designee

· Education Cabinet Secretary or senior designee

· The Adjutant General

· Executive Director, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs

· Chairman, Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs

· Executive Director, Lincoln Trail Area Development District

· Representation from Louisville/Jefferson County

· Representation from the Ft. Campbell Area

· Executive Director of "One Knox"

For Kentucky, the greatest degree of activity regarding mission changes and influx of military and civilian employees with their families will occur at Ft. Knox. However, BRAC also can extend into the Ft. Campbell area depending on DOD decisions.

Although exact figures are changeable by the nature of this massive undertaking, the positive impact on Kentucky is enormous. For example, although the Armor School at Ft. Knox is realigned to Ft. Benning, GA, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center is realigned to Picatinny, NJ, Kentucky receives a number of bonuses in personnel and commands.

State economic gains will result from supplemental DOD personnel arriving at Ft. Knox. Thousands of military and high salaried professional positions are anticipated along with a billion dollars in construction. Up to 7,000 family members should move to Kentucky and millions of dollars annually in new state tax revenues are predicted. Another encouraging factor is opportunity for business creations in support of the overall military and arriving civilian families.

BRAC 2005 became law on November 9 of that year. Congress mandated certain infrastructure and defense forces to meet the new world order threat of the 21st century.
DOD has until September 15, 2011 to complete implementation of its recommendations. Advanced units already are arriving in Kentucky and as preparations continue reaching needed levels population growth in the Ft. Knox area will become a regular event.