Howard County?s federal base realignment plan is expected to create 40,000 to 60,000 new jobs and add $4 billion worth of economic activity to the area, Col. Kenneth McCreedy, installation commander for Fort Meade, said at a conference Tuesday morning.
Between Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Base Realignment and Closure initiative will create 13,800 base jobs, he said.
But in the next six to 10 years, non-base job openings could increase dramatically because of contracting and support-related employment ? for each government job, a possible two more related jobs will open, according to a release from the BRAC Commission.
BRAC?s estimate represents jobs, not the total number of people expected to move into communities, said Brig. Gen. Mike Hayes, USMC, director of the Office of Military and Federal Affairs in the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
“Some people are moving, but most of the numbers are jobs opening,” said Pam Klahr, chief executive officer and president of Howard County Chamber of Commerce.
The bulk of the 5,800 Fort Meade new base jobs will be civilian.
“Only 12 percent of those are military,” Klahr said.
Most jobs will be in high technology and will be well-paid, Hayes said in a statement.
Small businesses also will benefit from the job openings and influx of people.
“Not just those who work with the federal government will get new people and new business,” said Hallot E. Watkins Jr., assistant district director for 8(a) business development at the Small Business Administration. “Pizza parlors, dry cleaners and restaurants will experience growth in money and staff.”
Klahr said what the increase does mean to the county?s infrastructure is a need for more police, grocery stores and restaurants.
