thedrifter
07-22-09, 05:58 AM
NC areas see stress, benefits from more Marines
By Kevin Maurer - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jul 21, 2009 18:48:50 EDT
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Seven North Carolina counties surrounding three Marine bases need improved roads, new schools, and more emergency responders to handle a troop expansion already under way, according a new report.
A July draft report by the Military Growth Task Force of North Carolina’s Eastern Region this month found that adding more than 40,000 Marines, sailors, civilian contractors and their families will bring economic benefits to the region, but recommends money be spent to expand infrastructure, housing and schools. The report is being reviewed by local leaders and a final draft will be published in September.
About 9,000 of the Corps’ desired 11,477 new Marines have already arrived. The influx will be the single largest case of job growth in North Carolina since World War II, said then-Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue in October 2007.
“It is just really, really tough to plan for something that is already on top of us,” said Jay Bender, interim director of the task force. “We now have the challenge of reacting. We are struggling to meet those needs.”
In January 2007, President George W. Bush announced the Marine Corps would grow from 180,000 to 202,000 by 2011. The increase is needed to provide longer recovery time and training between deployments, said Maj. Shawn Haney, a Marine Corps spokeswoman.
Formed in 2008, the task force has spent almost two years studying the population growth. Bender said it is hard to miss obvious things like crowded roads, parks and a shortage of houses and schools. Less obvious issues include a stressed public safety system because more people mean more fires, crowded court rooms and more traffic accidents.
“The positive thing is that has allowed our area to not be hit with such a blow economically,” Bender said. “Our unemployment is not as bad. Our retail sales seem to be better.”
The 2010 House defense appropriations bill has more than $800 million earmarked for construction at Camp Lejeune. The money will build offices, barracks and education centers. The influx is also leading to more house and apartment construction. Most of the impact is being felt in Onslow County, where Camp Lejeune and the Corp’s New River Air Station are located. Onslow county’s population has grown from just over 150,000 to slightly over 176,000 in two years, according to U.S. Census data.
Ron Massey, Jacksonville’s interim city manager, said since the Marines started arriving he has seen more congestion and the city police have moved officers doing office work into the field to increase patrols.
“Even though there are more people here, and strain on some of the service, it is a good time for that to be happening,” Massey said. “Hopefully we can take advantage of some of the funding with stimulus or programs that hope to mitigate the growth.”
The other counties — Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Pamlico and Pender — are also benefiting. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, home to the Marine’s jets, is located in Craven County. Harold Blizzard, Craven County manger, compared the benefits to throwing a pebble into a lake. He said the ripples are benefiting communities throughout the county, not just near the base.
“It just means more jobs and more money in the economy that adds to our economic strength,” Blizzard said. “It is a positive thing, no doubt about it.”
Ellie
By Kevin Maurer - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jul 21, 2009 18:48:50 EDT
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Seven North Carolina counties surrounding three Marine bases need improved roads, new schools, and more emergency responders to handle a troop expansion already under way, according a new report.
A July draft report by the Military Growth Task Force of North Carolina’s Eastern Region this month found that adding more than 40,000 Marines, sailors, civilian contractors and their families will bring economic benefits to the region, but recommends money be spent to expand infrastructure, housing and schools. The report is being reviewed by local leaders and a final draft will be published in September.
About 9,000 of the Corps’ desired 11,477 new Marines have already arrived. The influx will be the single largest case of job growth in North Carolina since World War II, said then-Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue in October 2007.
“It is just really, really tough to plan for something that is already on top of us,” said Jay Bender, interim director of the task force. “We now have the challenge of reacting. We are struggling to meet those needs.”
In January 2007, President George W. Bush announced the Marine Corps would grow from 180,000 to 202,000 by 2011. The increase is needed to provide longer recovery time and training between deployments, said Maj. Shawn Haney, a Marine Corps spokeswoman.
Formed in 2008, the task force has spent almost two years studying the population growth. Bender said it is hard to miss obvious things like crowded roads, parks and a shortage of houses and schools. Less obvious issues include a stressed public safety system because more people mean more fires, crowded court rooms and more traffic accidents.
“The positive thing is that has allowed our area to not be hit with such a blow economically,” Bender said. “Our unemployment is not as bad. Our retail sales seem to be better.”
The 2010 House defense appropriations bill has more than $800 million earmarked for construction at Camp Lejeune. The money will build offices, barracks and education centers. The influx is also leading to more house and apartment construction. Most of the impact is being felt in Onslow County, where Camp Lejeune and the Corp’s New River Air Station are located. Onslow county’s population has grown from just over 150,000 to slightly over 176,000 in two years, according to U.S. Census data.
Ron Massey, Jacksonville’s interim city manager, said since the Marines started arriving he has seen more congestion and the city police have moved officers doing office work into the field to increase patrols.
“Even though there are more people here, and strain on some of the service, it is a good time for that to be happening,” Massey said. “Hopefully we can take advantage of some of the funding with stimulus or programs that hope to mitigate the growth.”
The other counties — Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Pamlico and Pender — are also benefiting. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, home to the Marine’s jets, is located in Craven County. Harold Blizzard, Craven County manger, compared the benefits to throwing a pebble into a lake. He said the ripples are benefiting communities throughout the county, not just near the base.
“It just means more jobs and more money in the economy that adds to our economic strength,” Blizzard said. “It is a positive thing, no doubt about it.”
Ellie