In 2011 El Paso, Texas will sport about 45,356 people than it has now. In the 2000 census, Alamogordo is listed with 35,582 people. Somehow El Paso has to fit the population of Alamogordo plus 10,000 people into its domain.
Back to the beginning
In 1995, when the Third Cavalry transferred soldiers, 7,000 people left the El Paso area and El Paso suffered enormously economically. Tom Thomas, then Chamber of Commerce director, helped form a military advocacy group called Team El Paso to support the military and work to bring more personnel back to the area.
BRAC influenced
Influencing the BRAC decision to expand Fort Bliss was the ability of the city of El Paso to partner with the county to construct the world’s largest inland desalination plant ensuring a sustainable water supply to support growth into the future.
By the time the 2005 BRAC decisions came up, El Paso ranked number one in desirability in terms of a place to locate troops and training, Thomas told the Alamogordo Daily News in 2006.
Between three close by military installations, FortBliss’ McGregorRange and southern New Mexico’s Holloman Air Force Base and WhiteSandsMissileRange, three million acres fall under military care.
“We can accept up to three divisions,” Thomas said. “We have everything we need to accommodate 20,000 soldiers.”
Future Combat Systems
In addition to the 20,000 soldier influx, Thomas said FortBliss has been named a test and evaluation center for Future Combat Systems, a $100 billion project to redesign the Army’s equipment.
“The project is to design the army of the future,” Thomas said. The military installations of the area will be partnering to assemble and create new equipment that will better support today’s military needs.
Economic Impact
For every 4,000 soldiers brought in there is an estimate $600 million economic impact in the area.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded $252 million in contracts to four prime contractors and competition among subcontractors and suppliers has started in the $2.6 billion expansion project at Fort Bliss.
Challenges
Fort Bliss planners are working with state and local officials to make sure the influx of people progresses smoothly. Not only city and county governments are involved but five local school systems are expected to absorb some 9,600 school-age children.
The Texas Department of Transportation is building a $300 million high-speed inner-loop roadway to support FortBliss and local officials are considering a community college on the installation. There are still concerns regarding the impacts of expanded population in El Paso and job availibility and housing market.
Elva Osterreich - Mother, journalist, photographer and student of life, Elva Osterreich has a multitude of interests and a world to watch. Some subjects of ...
