The Impact of Base Realignments and Closures On Huntsville, Alabama Real Estate and Other Industries
The May 2005 announcements by the U.S. Department of Defense regarding which military installations would be realigned or closed had the country holding its breath. Because Huntsville, Alabama is so dependent on revenue generated by the Redstone Arsenal and other government outlets, fear raged at the very thought of losing those facilities. Thankfully, Redstone was spared.
But what does the future hold for Huntsville Alabama? Real estate, construction, utilities, education and other industries are expected to drastically change as the landscape of this city and the surrounding areas shifts. What can be expected as the impact of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) announcements unfolds?
Huntsville Real Estate & Childcare - Two Biggest Concerns
The two areas most likely to be hardest hit are real estate and childcare. Huntsville is expected to gain over 4,000 jobs, mainly civilian. This means an influx of people who hope to secure employment in one of the positions made available by BRAC. Where will they live? Who will care for their children while they are at work?
Record-setting growth in Huntsville real estate was already underway with 2002, 2003 and 2004 being banner years. With the massive onslaught of new communities, this area is well prepared to accommodate those who will move in response to BRAC. Growth in the real estate market will undoubtedly continue to expand making it an attractive prospect for residents as well as investors.
Childcare is another concern. With an explosion of new citizens expected to hit the Huntsville area, will quality childcare be available? Or will that industry find itself overcrowded and suffering from exhaustion?
According to Expansion Management's 2006 Military Communities of Excellence report, Huntsville was ranked #1 among other communities as having the best quality of life among those with military populations between 10,000 and 19,999. In fact, Huntsville was ranked second in childcare costs. However, does this mean that the area will be able to continue in stride as the population explosion continues between now and 2011?
Yes! Numerous childcare quality enhancement contracts have been awarded for 2006. They are aimed at improving everything from training for childcare workers to expanding the public's knowledge about childcare in Huntsville to providing an adequate supply of quality childcare for working families. In short, Huntsville is ready!
Other Affected Industries
The impact of BRAC will cause a ripple effect throughout every aspect of life in Huntsville. Support services, dental and medical care, public and private education, utilities, natural resources and many more will need time to adjust to such an enormous population growth spurt.
Thankfully, the impact will be felt in stages as the realignment and closures persist between now and 2011. During that time, Huntsville and the surrounding areas will continue to prepare.
To quote Governor Bob Riley, "Only by ensuring that area workers are
prepared to fill these [positions] can we maximize the economic benefits for
Alabamians."
About the Author:
Mike Manosky has over 15-years experience in Huntsville Alabama real estate.
If you're thinking of moving to Huntsville, real estate listings that match
your criteria can be sent to you immediately. Contact Mike today to get
started. http://www.movetohuntsville.com.
BRAC Huntsville Alabama
A noteworthy phenomenon is afoot in Huntsville Alabama. Real estate observers concede that BRAC will dramatically change the real estate landscape of Huntsville in the next 5years. 
Government offical and Huntsville city business persons are getting ready for the over 5,000 military personel and their familites expect here in the Tennessee valley in the next couple years
Huntsville's hospitals are working with the Tennessee Valley BRAC Committee to make sure families relocating here from northern Virginia find the medical care they need, a collaboration that is expected to also benefit current residents looking for a doctor.
More on the BRAC Huntsville real estate realities that we are facing in Huntsville visit:
http://www.huntsvillepr.com/huntsville-realestate/brac-effect.php
$2 million BRAC request reduced to $750,000
Watch the BRAC Relocation Movie for Huntsville
Real Estate Recession and Military Base Closures - The BRAC
Relocation information site for Huntsville Alabama
Hospitals striving to ensure BRAC transfers' needs met
2008 BRAC Update For Huntsville, Alabama
Editor's Letter: Brick by BRAC-
County has a place at BRAC table Next week a group of business leaders will join the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce as part of a BRAC Regional Vision grant program to help local communities prepare for a massive influx of new residents as East Coast military installations begin to close and move operations to Huntsville....
For some reason, Lawrence County was not originally invited to participate in the BRAC Regional Vision grant. For some reason, it was determined that Lawrence County is too rural, too far away, too disinterested in the process.
BRAC means tremendous economic growth, and not just to Huntsville and Madison, but the entire region. Redstone Arsenal is expected to inherit nearly 1,700 civilian jobs -- that’s 1,700 families moving into our region.
Lawrence County’s rural quality of life, wide open spaces, and lower real estate taxes will attract many of these families to relocate here. Is Lawrence County ready for an influx of even 100 of these upper-middle-income families? Can we get ready by 2010, when most of the BRAC moves are scheduled to take place? http://www.moultonadvertiser.com